Kenneth Rayment

Kenneth Gordon Rayment, (11 March 1921 – 15 March 1958) was a British pilot and decorated Second World War flying ace. On 6 February 1958, he was the co-pilot of BEA flight 609 that was to carry the Manchester United football team and journalists from West Germany to England but which crashed on take-off. This became known as the Munich air disaster. Rayment survived the crash, but died five weeks later of his injuries.

Early life and education Rayment was born on 11 March 1921 in Wanstead, Essex, England. He was brought up in Woodford Green. In 1937, after leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy. He served as a deck officer on a route between England and Argentina.

RAF service On 15 October 1940, Rayment joined the ranks of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). After spending three months at 56 Operational Training Unit based at RAF Sutton Bridge, in December 1941 he was assigned to No. 153 Squadron RAF.

In December 1942, Rayment was posted to North Africa with his squadron. On 2 June 1943, it was announced that he had been mentioned in despatches. On 27 July 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Between July and September 1943, having left No. 153 Squadron, he was stationed in Reghaïa, Algeria. From September 1943 to April 1944, he was an instructor with 51 Operational Training Unit, based at RAF Cranfield. Having never regained consciousness, he died of his injuries on 15 March 1958, aged 37. He was the second crew member to die due to injuries received in the crash at Munich.