Frank McKenna (RAF officer)
| Francis Peter McKenna | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Francis Peter McKenna |
| Nickname(s) | Frank |
| Born |
28 February 1906 Accrington, Lancashire |
| Died | 14 June 1994 (aged 88) Blackpool, Lancashire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1943–1965 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 189121 |
| Unit | Special Investigation Branch |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
| Relations | Eunice Naomi - wife |
Frank McKenna OBE (28 February 1906 – 14 February 1994), was a British Royal Air Force service police detective, deputy to Wilfred Bowes who ran the Special Investigation Branch investigation into the murders of recaptured officers who had escaped in the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III in March 1944. McKenna personally arrested over 20 of the "Gestapo" agents involved in the murders.
McKenna was born in Accrington, Lancashire on 28 February 1906, one of six children of Margaret and police constable Francis McKenna. The family moved to Blackpool shortly after his birth when his father was transferred to the Borough of Blackpool Police Force, they resided at 2 Huntley Avenue, Layton. Educated at Sacred Heart School, Blackpool he and his younger brother John later joined the police force where they both became detective sergeants. Frank McKenna married on 30 December 1934 in Blackpool to Eunice Naomi.
With the outbreak of the second world war, McKenna, who had considerable civilian flying experience, was deemed to be in a reserved occupation due to his police service and was refused permission to join the RAF.
When high losses in RAF Bomber Command saw the rules eased in 1943 he joined the RAF with service number 2212815 as an aircrew candidate and became a sergeant flight engineer, eventually flying over 30 Lancaster bomber missions throughout Europe. He completed a tour of operations as a flight sergeant with No. 15 Squadron RAF, and No. 622 Squadron RAF and was commissioned pilot officer on 24 November 1944. During his time in aircrew at RAF Squires Gate McKenna met and became friendly with Flight Lieutenant Edgar Humphreys and Flying Officer Robert Stewart who were amongst the officers murdered following the Great Escape.
...
Wikipedia