BROOK, Kenneth Richard
| Service Number: | 416165 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 March 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAF Conversion Units |
| Born: | Milang, South Australia, 11 January 1922 |
| Home Town: | Strathalbyn, Alexandrina, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Strathalbyn Primary & High school |
| Occupation: | Shop assistant |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Cottesmore, United Kingdom, 4 March 1945, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bradford (North Bierley) Cemetery, England Grave Reference: Sec. I. Grave 365, |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Strathalbyn RSL Hall Honour Board, Strathalbyn War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 416165, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 416165 | |
| 1 Apr 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 416165 | |
| 4 Mar 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 416165, RAF Conversion Units , Air War NW Europe 1939-45, No. 1651 Conversion Unit RAF |
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"Local Airman Wins D.F.C.
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Brook, of Strathalbyn, were thrilled on receiving the following congratulatory message from the Air Board, conveying the news that their son Ken had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. We are sure our readers will join us in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Brook as well as Ken on the lad's achievement.
"Congratulations are extended to you by the Minister for Air Board, on the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to your son, Flying Officer K. R. Brook, in recognition of his Gallant Service. Advice has just been received from the Air Ministry."
The Mayor Mr. N. D. Richardson, who was in Adelaide when word was received of Ken's award of the D.F.C, was advised by the Town Clerk by telephone. He asked that the congratulations of the Mayoress and himself should be conveyed to the parents of F/O Brook. The Council was interested in the service of all the Strathalbyn lads in the armed forces and it particularly pleasing to note not only the high award for gallantry that had been gained by F/O Brook, but also the promotion that had come to him since he left Australia as a Sergeant. It was especially pleasing that this, the first award for gallantry in action be gained by a Strathalbyn man, should have been awarded to the son of an old soldier of World War 1." - from the Port Elliot Southern Argus 08 Jun 1944 (nla.gov.au)
"F.O. Ken. Brook, D.F.C.
As announced previously, advice has been received by Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Brook, of High Street, Strathalbyn, that their second son, F.O. Kenneth Richard Brook, 23 years, D.F.C, was killed when a Lancaster aircraft crashed at Cottesmore, England, on March 4, when returning from an operational flight. F.O. Brook was born at Milang. He was educated at the Strathalbyn primary and high schools, and was working in his father's store at the time of his enlistment in March, 1941. He obtained his airgunners wing in November, and left Australia in March, 1942. After completion of his operational flights over Germany he was awarded the D.F.C. in May, 1944, and was posted as a gunnery instructor at a training camp, where he had many Allied nationals under his charge. He married in England a little over a month before his death. His father was an original member of the 43rd Battalion, A.I.F. Two of his brothers are in the R.A.A.F." - from the Port Elliot Southern Argus 22 Mar 1945 (nla.gov.au)
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