Date of birth:

April 19th, 1916

Date of death:

2001

Service number:

566088

Nationality:

British

Kenneth Wright was a native of Huyton near Liverpool. He was educated at Old Swann Technical college and was an engineer apprentice at Halton. He took his wings prior to 1937 and was flying Harrows at RAF Feltwell in the years immediately prior to WW2.
During the early stages of the war he flew with No. 50 Squadron in Hampdens and took probably part in the bombing missions on the marshalling yards in Hamm which took part between May an December 1940.
Wright was posted to an Officer Cadet Training Unit with some 43 missions completed by late summer 1940 but although posted he became a last minute volunteer to fly as navigator, although a pilot. However, the plane was lost through engine failure. He was inprisoned in various POW camps including punishment camps for persistent escapes.He also before being imprisoned in Prague was sheltered and fought alongside Czech partisans.
After being liberated and repatriated he resumed his air force career returning to RAF Feltwell. He served in the middle east and UK air bases prior to posting to Borneo where he was responsible for the construction and commissioning of a radar unit on Mount Tiger and that led to his award of the MBE.
After leaving the service he went to work instructing with Nadgeco (Nato Air Defence Ground Environment Company) training Nato defensive fighter controllers and radar men and worked all over Europe
After retirement from his civilian career he returned to live in Feltwell where he was a keen member of the golf club which occupied part of the old airfield.
Kenneth Wright passed away in 2002 aged 85. He was living then in Stowmarket but is buried with his wife - who predeceased - him in Feltwell churchyard not far from the RAF Wargraves.

Promotions:
? Sergeant
? Warrant Officer
20 October, 1955: appointment to Pilot Officer (permanent)
5 April, 1956: Flying Officer
5 April, 1959: Flight Lieutenant
30 August, 1969: retirement

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 13th, 1940

Citation:
"Sergeant Wright has shown continuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His skill as a Navigator and Bomb Aimer have been largely responsible for the success of the 32 operational flights that he has made since the war started."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrant Officer

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1947

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

December 13th, 1966

Citation:
"In recognition of distinguished service in the Borneo Territories."

• - Page 5489 | Issue 34945, 13 September 1940 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37950/page/2074
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40697/supplement/629
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40750/supplement/2086
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41785/supplement/4993
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44196/supplement/13466
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44945/supplement/9959
  - Page 11050 | Supplement 44966, 14 November 1969 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - RAFCommands Forums
  - Bill Wright