Brian Kingcome

Group Captain Charles Brian Fabris Kingcome (31 May 1917 – 14 February 1994) was a British flying ace of the Second World War, most notable for serving with No. 92 Squadron in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. He frequently led the squadron on a temporary basis before receiving full command early in 1941.

Kingcome later served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and over Yugoslavia with the RAF, Royal Canadian Air Force and South African Air Force Supermarine Spitfire and heavy bomber units. His total personal score stood at eight enemy aircraft destroyed, three shared, five probable and 13 damaged. Kingcome was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1940, a Bar to the DFC in 1941, and the Distinguished Service Order in 1942.

Early life Kingcome was born in Calcutta, India, on 31 May 1917 and educated at Bedford School.

RAF career Kingcome entered the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Cranwell in 1936. He was then posted to No. 92 Squadron, RAF Tangmere in May 1940, where he assumed temporary command over No. 92 Squadron after the loss of their commanding officer Squadron Leader Roger Bushell over the skies of Calais on 23 May 1940.

During his time at No. 92 Squadron, Kingcome became acquainted with Geoffrey Wellum. Wellum, who flew as wingman to Flight Lieutenant Brian Kingcome, 92 Squadron's acting CO (the Squadron lost 2 new COs within days of their arrival and Brian Kingcome led the Squadron temporarily in the absence of a squadron commander) later recorded his experiences in the book First Light.

Kingcome was acting CO of No. 92 Squadron between official COs; during a month-long period in September and October, No. 92 Squadron lost three COs. In early 1941, after Squadron Leader John A. Kent was transferred, Kingcome received full command. During this time he and his pilots achieved the highest success rate of any squadron in the Battle of Britain.

Later life The Second World War had taken a toll on his health and, after being treated for tuberculosis, Kingcome was invalided from the service in 1954.

In civilian life, Kingcome engaged successfully in a London garage and car hire business with his Battle of Britain comrade Paddy Barthropp (who later became very successful with his Rolls-Royce chauffeur business). In 1969, with his wife Lesley (whom he had married in 1957) he set up 'Kingcome Sofas' an enterprise which involved the employment of Devon boat builders to craft sofas to each customer's measurements.

Published works Kingcome wrote an autobiography called "A Willingness to Die" about his experiences during the Second World War. His memoirs were written shortly before his death in 1994.

In it he stated "I always regarded 92 Squadron as my personal property. I led it through, what was to me, the most exhilarating and treacherous part of the war, the Battle of Britain at Biggin Hill. I gained and lost many good friends, and in front line operations I was with 92 longer than any other squadron" and "Why can't they just talk about Battle of Britain pilots? Why does it always have to be heroes? I think it devalues the word and denigrates all those others who were called on to face just as great odds."

In media Brian Kingcome appeared on screen in an uncredited speaking role of "Fighter Pilot" in the opening and closing scenes of the 1942 film "The First Of The Few" (US title "Spitfire") To mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the BBC commissioned a one-off drama for TV called First Light, based on Geoffrey Wellum's book of the same name, in which Brian Kingcome was portrayed by actor Ben Aldridge. The film was first shown by the BBC on 14 September 2010.