Kenneth Gordon BOOTH

Name:	BOOTH, Kenneth Gordon, DFC
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Service No.:	J/11769
Unit Text:	No.357 Squadron
Date of Birth:	8 May 1919 -

BOOTH, F/L Kenneth Gordon (J11769) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.357 Squadron - Award effective 23 March as per London Gazette dated 3 April 1945 and AFRO 765/45 dated 4 May 1945. Born 8 May 1919. Home in Vancouver; enlisted Toronto 13 June 1941 and posted to No.4A Manning Depot. Granted Leaver Without Pay, 29 June 1941. To No.8 SFTS (guard duty), 8 August 1941. To No.3 ITS, 9 October 1941; graduated and promoted LAC 22 November 1941 when posted to No.8 AOS; to No.9 BGS, 28 February 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 11 April 1942; posted that date to No.2 ANS; graduated and commissioned, 11 May 1942. To No.31 GRS, 5 June 1942. To No.31 OTU, 4 July 1942. To "Y" Depot, 12 September 1942. To RAF overseas, 27 October 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 11 November 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 11 May 1944. Repatriated 22 July 1945. Retired 12 September 1945. Award presented 5 October 1947.

Flight Lieutenant Booth has completed a large number of sorties against occupied Burma, Thailand and Malaya and has also flown on numerous missions over difficult country on the Chinese border. In December 1944 his crew was detailed to undertake an important operation in Malaya. A flight of over 3,000 miles was necessary and the standard of navigation required by the operation was very high. Flight Lieutenant Booth by his skill and enthusiasm was directly responsible for the success attained. This officer has at all times displayed great keenness for operational flying and has set a fine example as squadron navigation officer.

NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9062 has recommendation dated 20 January 1945 stating he had flown 406 hours 45 minutes on operations. The detail provided for the award is exceptional and is listed here. "F.I.C." indicates "French Indo-China".

7 Jan to 8 June 43	Coastal Command - 136.20 hours
5 June 44	Special Ops, F.I.C. - 4.30 hours
13-15 June 44	do., Hump (two crossings) - 6.10
25 July 44	do., Burma/China - 8.20
2-26 Aug 44	do., Hump (10 crossings) - 32.25
4 Sept 44	do., Burma/China - 9.40
23-26 Sept 44	do., Hump (four crossings) - 13.35
6 Oct 44	do., Hump - 3.20
9-11 Oct 44	do., Hump/East China - 14.15
29 Oct 44	do., F.I.C. - 14.15
1 Nov 44	do., Burma/China - 8.40
2 Nov 44	do., F.I.C. - 13.35
14 Nov 44	do., Hump - 4.15
15 Nov 44	do., F.I.C. - 7.30
25 Nov 44	do., F.I.C. - 7.30
26 Nov 44	do., Burma - 5.00
28 Nov 44	do., Malaya - 18.10
30 Nov 44	do., F.I.C. - 13.20
1 Dec 44	do., Burma - 7.05
3 Dec 44	do., Burma - 4.15
6 Dec 44	do., Malaya - 19.30
24 Dec 44	do., F.I.C. - 13.55
27 Dec 44	do., F.I.C. - 12.35
29 Dec 44	do., Burma - 4.50
2 Jan 45	do., Thailand - 12.15
4 Jan 45	do., Burma - 4.30

Flight Lieutenant Booth has been on the squadron for the past ten months and has held the post of Squadron Navigation Officer; at the same time he has continued to fly regularly on operations. He has carried out twenty special sorties over occupied Burma, Siam, French Indo-China and Malaya, and has also made eighteen crossings of the Hump.

On December 6th, 1944, Flight Lieutenant Booth was navigator in a crew detailed for a Special Operation in Malaya. This operation was successfully completed after a round trip of over 3,000 miles. The standard of navigation required for this operation was very high and Flight Lieutenant Booth, by his skill and enthusiasm, was directly responsible for its successful completion. This officer has at all times shown a great keenness for operational flying, and has set an excellent example to other aircrew in the squadron.

SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website and Hugh Halliday (July 30, 2010).