• Bristol Blenheim

Date of birth:

1913 (Leicester)

Date of death:

March 3rd, 1974 (Fontaine-Chaalis/Oise, France)

Service number:

37467

Nationality:

British

Kenneth Doran was educated at St. Albans School. In 1932 he enlisted as a private in the London Regiment (Territorial Army). But he left the Regiment a few years later as in 1935 he was given a short-service commission in the RAF.
The Blenheim, a Mk IV (N6204) piloted by Kenneth Doran is credited with dropping the first allied bombs of WW2. It was on German shipping at Wilhelmshaven on September 4th, 1939. For this Doran was awarded one of the first two gallantry awards of the war. The other one was presented to Flying Officer Andrew McPherson.

Promotions:
December 23th, 1935: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
October 26th, 1936: Pilot Officer
May 28th, 1938: Flying Officer
December 16th, 1939: Flight Lieutenant
September 1st, 1945: commissioned as Squadron Leader (permanent)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 10th, 1939

Citation:
"Early in September, 1939, this officer led an attack against an enemy cruiser. In face of heavy gun fire and under extremely bad weather conditions he pressed home a succesful low attack with great determination."

The investiture took place on November 2nd 1939.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

January 30th, 1940

Citation:
"This officer was the leader of a formation of bomber aircraft which was attacked by enemy fighters over the North Sea during January, 1940. By his clever tactics and gallant leadership he successfully maintained a close defensive formation throughout the engagement, two of the fighter aircraft being compelled to break off the fight, a third being shot down in flames into the sea, and the remainder eventually abandoning the attack. Although one of our aircraft was lost and a second returned to its base, Squadron Leader Doran showed great determination in leading the remaining aircraft a distance of about 130 miles further on to his objective."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

• - The London Gazette Issue 34705 published on the 10 October 1939
  - The London Gazette Issue 34782 published on the 30 January 1940
  - The Glasgow Herald, 11 oktober 1939
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