Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Charles Michael Giddings, KCB, OBE, DFC, AFC & Bar (27 August 1920 – 5 April 2009)[1] was a senior Royal Air Force officer who served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War.
After retiring from the military, he became an independent panel inspector with the Department of Environment and chaired a number of inquiries concerning motorway expansion.
[2] In July 1942, Giddings flew from the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, situated in the Mediterranean, to Malta.
246 Squadron RAF and provided air support for the convoys involved in Operation Pedestal.
[4] During that month he flew as many as four sorties a day, and shot down at least two enemy aircraft,[2] including an Italian Macchi C.202, and damaged numerous others.
[8] The citation published in the London Gazette on 9 February 1945, reading: Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Charles Michael GIDDINGS (113414), R.A.F.V.R., 118 Sqn.
He has led his flight and, on occasions, the squadron with great skill and determination, factors which have contributed in good measure to the successes obtained.
In air fighting Flight Lieutenant Giddings has destroyed four and damaged several more enemy aircraft.
[1] In 1946 Giddings attended the Empire Test Pilots' School at RAF Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
Upon graduating he was sent to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, to test new jet fighters for three years.
He was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1950,[9] and awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) in June.
[1] On 1 July 1960, Giddings was promoted to the rank of group captain,[14] and served on the operational staff of Bomber Command.
[15] He was appointed Air Officer Commanding Central Reconnaissance Establishment in 1967, and held the post for one year.