Cranefield, Knivett Carton

Date of birth:: May 2nd, 1922 (Ealing/London, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: September 17th, 2016
Service number:: 1384663
Nationality:: British

Biography

Ken Cranefield enlisted into the RAF in February 1941. He trained as a pilot on transport aircraft. As such he flew numerous sorties to Normandy after D Day on Dakota's.
As a result of his wounds sustained during Market Garden (see citation for the DFC) he remained in hospital for many weeks and he had to receive treatment over the next 10 years. He also was unable to return to flying duties and left the RAF in 1946 after which he took up a career in the Civil Service. He rose to fill senior appointments in the Department of Employment.
In September 2014 he returned to Arnhem for the first time to attend a service marking the 70th anniversary of the battle.
Ken Cranefield died on the anniversary of his first sortie to Arnhem.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Warrant Officer
Unit:: No. 233 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 2nd, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"In September, 1944, this officer was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to drop supplies to our forces in the vicinity of Arnhem. When approaching the dropping zone heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The aircraft was struck by a high explosive shell which tore a large hole in the starboard wing and took away a part of the aileron. Although the aircraft became difficult to control, Warrant Officer Cranefield continued to the target.
When over the area the aircraft was again hit. Warrant Officer Cranefield was wounded in the leg. Although suffering acutely he remained at the controls and all the containers were successfully dropped. Not until he had flown well clear their post to attend to his injuries. Warrant Officer Cranefield proved himself to be a courageous and resolute captain, setting a very fine example."