Kenneth Charles Judd to Eleanor Carnegie Judd

We always knew my father’s brother had been a RAF pilot in WW2 and was killed in 1941. It was only after my father died that we discovered his brother’s last letter to his mother in Southampton.

The note with it said Ken’s last letter 26 August 1941 but it must have been from the day before as the official records show he died that day.

Transcript:

Mother dear,
I feel I must write this letter to you because I am going on a show tomorrow and I feel that I am not coming back - I have a queer sickening feeling inside me which I can't explain.
I have done a number of trips and I have been lucky so far but like a game of cards, your luck can't hold out

[Printed document showing a photograph]
Kenneth C. Judd
Time at Taunton's School: 1928-1934
Education & Employment: Kenneth was a keen athlete and swimmer; he represented his House and School in High Jump and he won the bronze medallion of the Royal Life Saving Society in 1931. He gained his School Certificate in 1932 and his Matriculation exemption in 1933. Kenneth joined the Portsmouth Police.
Life during the war: Kenneth volunteered for the Bermuda Police in 1938 and worked there for two years before returning home to serve his country. He trained from the R.A.F in England and South Africa, gained his navigator's brevet, and in May 1941 was commissioned. Kenneth was posted to Bomber Command in Blenheims, and took part in many raids. He was a Pilot Officer with 82 Squadron when he went missing from a daylight operation over Heligoland and Bremerhaven. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
Kenneth died on 26th August 1941 aged 25 years.

Tagged:
Europe, Missing or killed in action

Contributed by:
Theresa Judd

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