Group Captain Kenneth Johnson Rampling, DSO DFC RAF

Lancaster ND523 - No. 7 Squadron RAF - Airborne 19:02 on 22 Mar 1944 from Oakington to bomb a target in Frankfurt. Intercepted at 17,600 feet by a night-fighter while approaching target and set on fire. G/C Rampling managed to clear the target area but within seconds of ordering his crew to bale out, the Lancaster went into a spin and exploded. The aircraft crashed at Sprendlingen. F/S Haslam had been gravely wounded and though he was helped with his parachute he never left the aircraft. Along with the others who were killed he is buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery. It is believed F/L Ferguson had served previously with No.7 Squadron, but as a Flight Engineer, gaining an Immediate DFM during daylight operations over Brest in Dec 1941. Details of his award were gazetted on 6 Jan 1942. G/C Rampling was acting Captain on this operation. The aircraft was normally commanded by F/L Ferguson.

G/C K.J.Rampling DSO DFC 34248 RAF (Pilot) killed

RAMPLING, KENNETH JOHNSON

• Rank: Group Captain
• Trade: Pilot
• Service No: 34248
• Date of Death: 22/03/1944
• Age: 31
• Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force R.A.F. 7 Sqdn.
• Awards: D S O, D F C
• Grave Reference: 1. E. 5.
• Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY
• Additional Information: Son of Horace Johnson Rampling, and of Gertrude Annie Rampling (nee Taylor); husband of Kathleen Patricia Rampling, of Faringdon, Berkshire.
• CWGC

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