Kenneth Barbour Montgomery

Kenneth Barbour Montgomery
Born	22 October 1897 Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
Died	Unknown (post 1919) Unknown
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Aviation
Rank	Captain
Unit	No. 45 Squadron RFC, No. 66 Squadron RFC
Awards	Military Cross, Italian Croce di Guerra

Captain Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was an English World War I flying ace officially credited with 12 aerial victories. After gaining his first four wins flying a two-seater airplane, he switched to a single-seater fighter for his last eight triumphs.

World War I

Montgomery was appointed a temporary second lieutenant on probation as of 29 May 1917.^[1] He joined 45 Squadron as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 13 July 1917, driving a German Albatros D.III fighter plane down out of control near Polygon Wood. By 23 August, he had driven down his fourth enemy airplane using the Sopwith Strutter. He then switched to a single-seat Sopwith Camel, with which he drove down his fifth victim on 20 September 1917, and thus became an ace. He would score regularly throughout the rest of the year, sharing a triumph with future Air Vice Marshal Matthew Frew on 26 October. Montgomery racked up his tenth out of control win on 15 November 1917 over Langemarck, Belgium.^[2]

On 2 January 1918, temporary second lieutenant Montgomery was promoted to temporary captain when he was appointed a Flight Commander.^[3] The following day, he scored his final win with 45 Squadron, driving down another Albatros D.III. Montgomery then transferred to 66 Squadron; he scored his twelfth win with them on 12 January 1918, driving down an Albatros D.V southeast of Fonzaso, Italy.^[4]

Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits on 3 February 1918.^[5] He would be awarded the Croce di Guerra by a grateful Italian government in 1919.^[6]

Post World War I

Kenneth Barbour Montgomery was awarded the Croce di Guerra by Italian government on 8 February 1919.^[7] On 11 February 1919, he transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.^[8]

Honors and awards

Text of citation for the Military Cross

T./2nd Lt. Kenneth Harbour Montgomery,

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on several occasions, during a period of three months shot down in flames four hostile machines, three of which were large high-powered two-seaters, and has driven down out of control six enemy planes. He is a most determined scout pilot, his skill and courage being of a very high order.^[9]

Endnotes