About the Database
The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust database is a remarkable and
constantly expanding research resource held at the National Memorial to The Few.
It contains biographical information on every one of the almost 3,000 Allied aircrew known to have qualified for the “immediate” award of the 1939-1945 Star with Battle of Britain Clasp – known as The Few.
In more and more cases, information on social and educational backgrounds and civilian jobs is being added to the details of service careers. Often reference is also made to relatives who served in the forces or performed wartime civilian roles.
At the heart of the database is the material compiled by Kenneth G Wynn for his definitive work of reference, Men of the Battle of Britain. All the rights to the book were acquired in 2010 and donated to the Memorial Trust, by an anonymous well-wisher.
The first edition of Men of the Battle of Britain appeared to instant acclaim in 1989. A supplementary volume appeared in 1992. In 1999 the second edition was published.
Under the auspices of the Memorial Trust, Frontline Books brought out the third edition in 2015 and a further supplementary volume was released in 2020.
Ken Wynn’s work benefited from the assistance of many of The Few and their families, as well as from contributions from the late Bruce Burton and other researchers.
A similar situation exists today. Geoff Simpson, FRHistS acts as consulting editor for the database. He and the Trust acknowledge the continuing contributions of relatives of the aircrew, of Edward McManus (who curates the website bbm.org.uk), Gerry Burke, Gladys Armstrong (genealogist) and many others interested in the events of 1940.
KENNETH G WYNN
28/6/1925 – 10/5/2020
Kenneth George William Wynn was born in London on 28 June 1925. For much of his early life he lived in Southall, Middlesex.
He joined the RAF during the Second World War and was sent for aircrew training in South Africa. However, the war ended before he had the chance to fly operationally and he was released, having reached the rank of Sergeant.
He then worked as a draughtsman and for a seller of rare books in London, where he specialised in military titles.
Ken Wynn moved to New Zealand in 1973, becoming a naturalised citizen four years later. He worked as a draughtsman again and lived for many years in Auckland in the country’s North Island. In England he had had three daughters with his first wife. His second wife, known professionally as Anah Dunsheath, is an artist, sculptor and bookseller.
Frequently Ken came back to the UK in September to attend the Battle of Britain service of Thanksgiving and Rededication in Westminster Abbey as well as other events. He would tour the country meeting veterans and fellow researchers.
In addition to Men of the Battle of Britain, Ken wrote A Clasp for the Few, self published in 1981, which told the stories of New Zealanders who flew in the Battle of Britain. He also produced volumes on U-boat operations in the Second World War and the charge of the Light Brigade.
Ken Wynn died in Auckland on 10 May 2020, aged 94.
The Database
Part of a Double VC Action
Recently, in a major exercise carried out by staff at the Battle of Britain Memorial, 50 rewritten entries and 48 new photographs were uploaded to…
Little of the Peace to Enjoy
The tragedy for some of the Few was to survive the Second World War but only just. Possibly the sad record in this regard is…
No Clasp for an ‘O’
The two naval officers whose photographs appear with this blog flew together many times over a long period. Their Distinguished Service Cross awards were gazetted…
Tall Stories from 1940
Tall stories, or potential tall stories, develop around all historical events. In the case of the Battle of Britain there is, for example, the idea…
Memories Much Sort
Well into this century it was still possible for authors, researchers and journalists to meet and interview aircrew who had flown in the Battle of…
A Wife Remembers 1940
Alongside the Database of the Few, the collection of documents, books and artefacts held at the National Memorial is constantly growing. The intention is that…
Two of the Few Relax
Two distinguished former Spitfire pilots appear in relaxed mode in this photograph, newly added to the Database collection. The occasion is not known, but from…
Where Do You Come From?
Trying to compile a list of the Few by nationality is a thankless task. There are so many debatable points, starting with achieving a definition…
