Assigned to the 403 Squadron on May 15, 1941.
Awarded the Operational Wings.
Flying Officer McKenna was airbourne at 0830 hrs on August 21, 1941. The Squadron led by Squadron Leader Morris took off from Hornchurch in company with 603 and 611 Squadrons to act as high cover for 6 Blenheim bombers who flew a mission to Bethume, France. At approximately 0910 hrs the squadron became engaged with a number of Messerschmitt 109F's. The aircraft of McKenna was shot down. He was seen to bale out and his parachute opened very quickly. McKenna died of serious burns and compound fracture to the thigh.
Died of wounds on September 8, 1941 in Calmette hospital, Lille, France. Nurse Leclercq states that the Germans gave him a firing salute by 12 soldiers and a large wreath was placed on his grave by them.
This page is still under construction.
Portrait: Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Photograph temporary burial: Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Info from War Diary and Service Records: LAC (Library Archive Canada).
Photographs Regimental and Division patch: ??.
Photograph headstone: Michael van de Velde.
