Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of David Leslie and Mabel Alice Kitchen, of Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Dip. Com. (Melb.).

NEVER FORGETTING GOD WILL LINK THE BROKEN CHAIN

Local Roll of Honour- Hawthorn Vic.

Melbourne, June 1. 1942 — Sergeant-Pilot David Gordon Kitchen, of Hawthorn Victoria, who brought his battered Wellesley bomber 400 miles to its home base after the recent  attack on Rostock, has been complimented by the chief of the bomber command for his coolness and airmanship., The story was told in a message from R.A.A.F. overseas  headquarters and released by the Minister for Air, Mr. Drakeford. Sergeant-Pilot Kitchen enlisted in November, 1940, and was trained in Australia, Canada and Britain. After the  Wellesley had delivered its bomb load on a target it was attacked by a Nazi night fighter and badly mauled. Only Sergeant-Pilot Kitchen's skill in nursing his battered bomber enabled him to get home, thus saving his crew.
The R.A.A.F. squadron of which Sergeant-Pilot Kitchen is a member, has also received a special message from group headquarters congratulating it on its fine record. The  squadron's air crews and maintenance personnel were also congratulated on their grit and determination.

Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Kitchen, of Barkers Road, Hawthorn, have received word through the International Red Cross that theie son, Sgt. Pilot David Gordon Kitchen, who was reported missing after the emden raid, is now believed killed in air operations on the night of June 20.

Sgt. Pilot Kitchen ws mentioned in routine orders by Air Marshal Harris, Chief of bomber Command, for skilful airmanship, coolness and courage under trying conditions during the blitz over Rostock and was personally congratulated by Mr. Churchill.

HAWTHORN PILOT'S DEATH
AFTER, DARING RAF RAID
Sergeant-Pilot David Gordon Kitchen, 26, of Hawthorn, who was highly commended for his bravery and skill in bringing a damaged air craft back to base recently, is now believed  to have been killed in air operations on the night of June 20. This news has been received by his parents, Mr and Mrs D. L. Kitchen of Bakers Road, Hawthorn. Previously Sgt. Pilot Kitchen Was reported missing after a raid on Emden.  He had been singled out for congratulations by the Chief of the RAF Bomber Command (Air Chief Marshal Harris) for this  feat, and when the when the British Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) and the Australian Attorney - General (Dr. Evatt) visited his squadron during Dr. Evatt's visit to England, they had a long talk with him.

Sgt.-Pilot Kitchen's commanding officer in England, Wing Commander a. Hubbard, in a letter to the parents, said he had been highly commended for his bravery and skill. He was  one of his most capable men and his loss to the squadron would be deeply felt.

FEAT OF BRAVERY
While returning from a raid on Rostock his bomber was attacked four times by Messerschmiltt 110's with both cannon and machine-gun fire. His rear-gunner and second pilot were badly wounded, the rear turret and inter-communications system were put out of action, the elevator trimming gear shot away, a petrol tank was holed, and the fabric of one wing torn off. Sgt. Pilot Kitchen, nevertheless managed to pilot the plane 400 miles home and make a good landing, though all the wheels had been shot flat.

Sgt. Pilot Kitchen, who was 26, was in the Cologne 1000 bomber raid. He was educated at Carey Grammar School, the Melbourne University, and was assistant-manager of D. L.  Kitchen and Co. Ltd., Flinders Lane. 

KITCHEN.-On June 20, killed in action over Emden, Germany, Sgt.-Pilot David Gordon Kitchen, R.A.A.F., beloved elder son of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Kitchen, Barker's road, Hawthorn,  and loving brother of Stanley and Gwen.