In June 1940 he was posted, as a Sergeant Pilot, to No 266, a Spitfire squadron then based at Wittering. He was credited with three enemy aircraft damaged, but was wounded on 12 August. On 25 September he moved to No 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill, where he enjoyed a run of major successes.
He damaged Bf 109s on 27 and 30 September, shot down a Bf 109 and probably another on 12 October, destroyed another on the 15th, shared a Bf 110 on the 20th, destroyed a Do 17 on the 24th, damaged a Bf 109 on the 25th, destroyed one on 1 November, shot down three and probably another on the 15th and destroyed one on 1 December. Kingaby was awarded the DFM on 6 December.
Between February and October 1941, he destroyed eight Bf 109s, probably destroyed another four and damaged two. Kingaby was awarded a Bar to the DFM (29 July) and a Second Bar to the DFM (11 November). Three DFMs for one man is possibly a unique achievement.
Don Kingaby became an instructor, was commissioned and went on to serve with Nos 111, 64 and 122 Squadrons, achieving further success. With 122 he was a Flight Commander and then took over as CO. He went on to lead a Wing.
He was granted a permanent commission after the war, was awarded the AFC and retired from the RAF on 29 September 1958 as a Squadron Leader, retaining the rank of Wing Commander.
Don Kingaby died in the United States on 31 December 1990. His ashes were interred in a family grave at Bromley Hill cemetery, Bromley, Kent. In 1993 Mrs Kingaby unveiled a plaque in his honour in the cemetery’s chapel. Present were three veterans of the Battle of Britain, Wing Commander Pat Hancock (then Secretary of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association), Squadron Leader “Bill” Armitage (representing No 266 Squadron) and Wing Commander “Titch” Havercroft (representing No 92 Squadron).
