Samuel Kinkead

Samuel Marcus Kinkead DSO, DSC & Bar, DFC & Bar (25 February 1897 – 12 March 1928) was a South African fighter ace with 33 victories during the First World War. He went on to serve in southern Russia and the Middle East postwar.

Early life Kinkead was born in Johannesburg, South African Republic,

Post-war Kinkead volunteered to serve with No. 47 Squadron RAF after war's end, when they were sent into Russia to intercede in the Russian Civil War. He served as B Flight Commander under Raymond Collishaw. The squadron operated from an equipped train. It was while supporting General Denikin's Royalists that, on 12 October 1919, he won the Distinguished Service Order for a crucial ground attack against a Bolshevik cavalry division near Kotluban, thus saving the city of Tsaritsyn from capture. He also shot down three Russian fighters during this campaign: on 30 September 1919, at Chernyi Yar; on 7 October, at Dubovka; and on 18 October at Peskovatka.

He was a member of the British 1927 Schneider Trophy team, retiring in the Gloster IV after five laps. His third lap speed of 277.18 mph was the fastest biplane seaplane flight ever recorded.

Death

In 1928, while in command of the RAF High Speed Flight, Kinkead was killed in a plane crash as he tried to become the first man to travel at more than five miles a minute in a Supermarine S.5 near Calshot England. at All Saints' Church, Fawley – the headstone on his grave reads: In memory of Flight Lieutenant Samuel Marcus Kinkead DSO DSC DFC who, on 12 March 1928 while flying at Calshot, gave his life in an attempt to break the world's speed record.

90th Anniversary Memorial Service Front Cover of Memorial Service for Samual Kinkead held at All Saints' Church Fawley.In 2018, the 90th anniversary of his death, a special memorial service was held at All Saints' Church, Fawley on 11 March. The service was conducted by Padre Glyn Williams,a retired RAF padre, with a tribute by Julian Lewis MP.

Awards Distinguished Service Cross

Flt.-Lieut. Samuel Marcus Kinkead, R.N.A.S.

In recognition with the skill that he displayed fighting in combat, notably on the following occasions: On 24 October 1917, he brought down an enemy, and immediately afterwards encountered and drove off a group of seven hostile aeroplanes. On 4 December 1917, he brought down an two-seater machine completely out of control. By his skill and determination in attacking enemy machines he has always shown a fine example to other pilots.

Distinguished Service Cross Bar

Flt. Lieut. Samuel Marcus Kinkead, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

On 22 March 1918, he attacked an Albatros scout which was attacking a French aircraft. He has brought down many other enemy machines. He was a capable pilot, and participated in offensive patrols and low flying missions.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lt. (T./Capt.) Samuel Marcus Kinkead, D.S.C.

As a temporary Captain during this period, Samuel Marcus Kinkead was known for his tactical leadership while fighting superior enemy formations. During one specific aerial fight, Kinkead led his patrol to stop a larger force of enemy aircraft that were fighting allied planes and the intervention resulted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft and the scattering of the remaining hostile formation.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar

Lt. (T./Capt.) Samuel Marcus Kinkead, D.S.C., D.F.C.

On a recent date this officer engaged a large party of troops in a wood. The engagement lasted for an hour, but so persistent was his attack that the enemy finally broke and dispersed. During this attack he was harassed by six hostile scouts. Later on he shot down an enemy two-seater in our lines.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Flying Officer Samuel Marcus Kinkead, D.S.C., D.F.C. (late H.L. Inf. and R.N.A.S.), " A " Detachment.

On 12 October 1919, near Kotluban, this officer led a formation of Camel machines and attacked the Cavalry Division of Boris Dumenko.

By skilful tactics in low flying he dispersed this force, which had turned the left flank of the Caucasian Army, and threatened to jeopardise the whole defence of Tsaritsyn.

Flying Officer Kinkead has carried out similar attacks on enemy troops, batteries, camps and transport with great success at considerable personal risk.