| Joseph Robert Kayll | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Joe |
| Born | 12 April 1914 Sunderland, England |
| Died | 3 March 2000 (aged 85) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No. 607 Squadron RAF No. 615 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | No. 607 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Officer of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Air Efficiency Award |
| Other work | Justice of the Peace Deputy Lieutenant of Durham |
Joseph Robert Kayll DSO, OBE, DFC, AE, DL[1] (12 April 1914 – 3 March 2000)[2][3] was a British flying ace who served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War.
Kayall joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1934, serving with No. 607 (County of Durham) Squadron rising to become a flight lieutenant. Following the outbreak of the war he volunteered for full time service and fought in France in early 1940 before taking part in the Battle of Britain, commanding No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron as an acting squadron leader. During the Battle of Britain Kayll was credited with shooting down seven German aircraft with one shared and six unconfirmed destroyed, along with six damaged.[4] For these efforts he was awarded the DSO[5] and DFC[6] personally by King George VI.[7] In 1941, he was promoted to wing commander and given command of a wing consisting of three Spitfire squadrons.
In 1941 he was mentioned in despatches before being shot down over France in July. He was subsequently captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war.[8] He remained in captivity for the remainder of the war, taking part in numerous escape attempts, for which he was later awarded the OBE in 1946.[8]
After the war he continued to serve, rejoining the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and commanding No. 607 (County of Durham) Squadron.[4][9]
In civilian life he served as a justice of the peace and as Deputy Lieutenant of Durham.[4]
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