DENNIS, Kevin John
| Service Number: | 437121 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 November 1942, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 462 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Ceduna, South Australia, Australia, 5 September 1924 |
| Home Town: | Pinnaroo, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Nuriootpa High School |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk - National Bank Pinnaroo |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 4 November 2024, aged 100 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Cremation Only |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 7 Nov 1942: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 437121 | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 437121, No. 462 Squadron (RAAF), Adelaide, SA | |
| 7 Jun 1946: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Conspicuous Gallantry Medal |
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Son of Leslie Hammill DENNIS and Irene Gladys nee GREEN, North Street, Angaston, SA
Husband of Olive DENNIS, 60 Groveland Ave., Hoylake, Chesire, England
On March 13 1945, Bomber Command launched several major attacks into northern Germany. 354 bombers took part, including eleven from 462 Squadron, who were tasked with the mission of interfering and jamming enemy radio signals.
Warrant Officer (WO) Kevin John Dennis was the Wireless Operator on Halifax RG384-M when it was struck by flak shortly after returning from their target.
The crew lost the outer starboard engine and fuselage, which killed the flight engineer and severely injured the navigator. WO Dennis was also injured, bleeding profusely with leg shattered and his other foot almost completely severed. Despite his pain, Dennis refused to leave his post, supporting the crew to find an emergency airfield and continuing to send and receive mission critical messages.
As a result of these actions WO Dennis was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. In his citation King George VI said 'The courage displayed by WO Dennis was of the highest order when he must have been experiencing extreme agony.'
After hospital treatment and extensive rehabilitation Dennis returned to Australia with his English wife, Olive, who he married in December 1945. Kevin Dennis was one of only 10 members of the RAAF who were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal during the Second World War.
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