Bio / Text:
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Kenneth Shortland Dewhurst was born on 24th March 1914 in Birmingham and joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1939.
He began his initial training course on 6th February. He went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge on 15th April for a short induction course and moved on to 6 FTS Little Rissington on 1st May for No. 12 Course.
After the course completed on 6th November 1939 Dewhurst joined the recently-reformed 234 Squadron at Leconfleld. On 7th July 1940 he damaged a Ju88. On the 28th Dewhurst shared in the destruction of a Ju88 that was shot down into the sea SE of Plymouth and on 14th August he damaged a Me109 and on the 15th he probably destroyed a Me109.
On the 16th he claimed a Me109 destroyed in the Isle of Wight area. On this day, following an attack by another Me109 over Gosport, Dewhurst's engine was set alight and he baled out, landing near Widley. His Spitfire, R6967, crashed at Widley Farm between Southwick and Widley. He was unhurt.
On 7th September Dewhurst probably destroyed a Me109. He was appointed temporary 'B' Flight Commander on 11th September and probably relinquished this command when Flt Lt. J S Young arrived to take over on 18th September.
Dewhurst shared in the probable destruction of a Me110 on 29th September south of Exmouth and he shared in destroying a Ju88 on 28th October south-east of the Lizard.
He re-assumed command of 'B' Flight when Young was posted away on 23rd November 1940.
His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was awarded the AFC (gazetted 3rd March 1945), Dewhurst was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Squadron Leader.
Ref
Battle of Britain Monument London
