Keith MacDermott Hampshire | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:AWM_UK1444_Keith_Hampshire_1944.jpg) Keith Hampshire in England, 9 June 1944 | |
| Born | 14 September 1914 Port Macquarie, Australia |
| Died | circa 17 November 1982 (aged 68) Palos Verdes, California, United States |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1937–1946 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands | No. 456 Squadron RAAF (1944) No. 22 Squadron RAAF (1942–43) No. 6 Squadron RAAF (1941–42) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | John Hampshire (brother) |
Keith MacDermott Hampshire, DSO & Bar, DFC[1] (10 September 1914 – c. 17 November 1982) was a pilot and ace of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War.[2][3] He saw action in twin-engine propeller-driven aircraft, flying intruder, ground attack and night fighter missions.
Hampshire is notable for three achievements in particular:
- becoming the first person to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) twice while posted to RAAF units;[4]
- commanding front-line squadrons in both the Pacific and European theatres, and;
- destroying at least seven (and perhaps as many as 10) enemy aircraft in air combat, all of them during 1944.[5][6][7]
His younger brother, John Hampshire (1916–1990), also commanded RAAF squadrons in both the Pacific and Europe.[2]
- ^ Australian War Memorial, "Search Honours and Awards" (access: 6 June 2012)
- ^ a b Nelson, H. N., 2007, "Hampshire, Keith Macdermott (1914–1982)", Australian Dictionary of Biography (6 June 2012).
- ^ WW2 Nominal Roll, 2002, "HAMPSHIRE, KEITH MACDERMOTT" Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (access: 6 June 2012).
- ^ David Shannon, the first RAAF officer to receive a DSO and Bar, had been attached to RAF units, [notably 617 Sqn a. k. a. "The Dambusters"], when he received his decorations. The West Australian, 19 February 1945, p4.
- ^ Dennis Newton (1996). Australian Air Aces, pp.117–118
- ^ Martin W. Bowman, 1998, Mosquito Fighter/Fighter-Bomber Units of World War 2, Oxford, Osprey Publishing, p95.
- ^ A.D. Garrisson (1999). Australian Fighter Aces 1914–1953, pp.31–32