Kenneth Stoddart
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander Sir Kenneth Maxwell Stoddart KCVO
, KStJ
, AE
, JP
, LLD
(1914–2008) was a distinguished Battle of Britain
Pilot.
Kenneth Stoddart was born in Cressington Park, Liverpool
on 26 May 1914. He was educated at Sedbergh School
and Clare College, Cambridge
. After obtaining his degree he joined the family businesses, Caerns and Brown Ltd and the United Mersey Supply Company, both of which were chandlers and ships’ suppliers in the Port of Liverpool.
Stoddart was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Auxiliary Air Force with No. 611 Squadron at Speke on 18 December 1936. He learned to fly in Avro Tutors then graduated to Hawker Harts and later Hinds before converting to the Spitfire Mk I in May 1939. He was at summer camp at RAF Duxford Cambridgeshire when war was declared. By January 1940 he was a Flight Lieutenant and Commanded 'B' Flight at Digby
.
He took part in operations over the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940. Stoddart was flying Spitfire I N3058 when he was hit by a cannon shell in the fuselage just behind his seat, which tore a large hole in the side of the fuselage and blew the canopy off. The armour plating was hit and control cables were almost severed. However, F/L Stoddart managed to force land at Martlesham Heath
.
He flew with the Squadron during the Battle of Britain
. No. 611 was held in reserve for much of the Battle of Britain but saw finally action on 11 September when Stoddart attacked a Bf 109 at long range, firing 1,784 rounds without observed result. He made no claims with 611 Squadron.
He was seen as:
He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader on 1 January 1944.
After leaving the RAF, Stoddart became a public servant. He became a Deputy Lieutenant
of Lancashire in 1958, and was appointed High Sheriff of Merseyside
from 1974-1975. From 1979 to 1989, he was Lord Lieutenant
of Merseyside. He retained links with the RAF by becoming Wing President of the Merseyside Air Cadet Organisation.
In 1940, he married Jean Young and they had two daughters, Jennifer and Charlotte.
A memorial service for Sir Kenneth was held at Liverpool Cathedral
at noon on 12 February 2009.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, KStJ
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
, AE
Air Efficiency Award
The Air Efficiency award, abbreviated to AE when placed after a holder's name, was a United Kingdom honour given for ten years' efficient service in the Reserve Air Forces of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Empire. Unlike other long service and meritorious conduct awards, both officers and...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, LLD
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
(1914–2008) was a distinguished Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
Pilot.
Kenneth Stoddart was born in Cressington Park, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
on 26 May 1914. He was educated at Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
and Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
. After obtaining his degree he joined the family businesses, Caerns and Brown Ltd and the United Mersey Supply Company, both of which were chandlers and ships’ suppliers in the Port of Liverpool.
Stoddart was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Auxiliary Air Force with No. 611 Squadron at Speke on 18 December 1936. He learned to fly in Avro Tutors then graduated to Hawker Harts and later Hinds before converting to the Spitfire Mk I in May 1939. He was at summer camp at RAF Duxford Cambridgeshire when war was declared. By January 1940 he was a Flight Lieutenant and Commanded 'B' Flight at Digby
Digby
- Canada :* Digby County, Nova Scotia** Digby, Nova Scotia, town** Digby, Nova Scotia , eastern half of Digby County*** Digby/Annapolis Regional Airport** Digby Neck, peninsula in Digby County...
.
He took part in operations over the Dunkirk evacuation in June 1940. Stoddart was flying Spitfire I N3058 when he was hit by a cannon shell in the fuselage just behind his seat, which tore a large hole in the side of the fuselage and blew the canopy off. The armour plating was hit and control cables were almost severed. However, F/L Stoddart managed to force land at Martlesham Heath
Martlesham Heath
Martlesham Heath village is situated 6 miles east of Ipswich, in Suffolk, England. This was an ancient area of heathland and latterly the site of Martlesham Heath Airfield...
.
He flew with the Squadron during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. No. 611 was held in reserve for much of the Battle of Britain but saw finally action on 11 September when Stoddart attacked a Bf 109 at long range, firing 1,784 rounds without observed result. He made no claims with 611 Squadron.
He was seen as:
He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader on 1 January 1944.
After leaving the RAF, Stoddart became a public servant. He became a Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Lancashire in 1958, and was appointed High Sheriff of Merseyside
High Sheriff of Merseyside
*1974–1975: Kenneth Maxwell Stoddart, JP, DL, of 6 The Knowe, Willaston, Wirral, Cheshire*1975–1976: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Vernon Denton, OBE, TD, DL, of 66 Freshfield Road, Formby, Liverpool...
from 1974-1975. From 1979 to 1989, he was Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post...
of Merseyside. He retained links with the RAF by becoming Wing President of the Merseyside Air Cadet Organisation.
In 1940, he married Jean Young and they had two daughters, Jennifer and Charlotte.
A memorial service for Sir Kenneth was held at Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool but it is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
at noon on 12 February 2009.