Bassett, Kenneth 'Kenny'

KENNETH (Kenny) DUDLEY BASSETT

16-07-1916 TO 31-05-2006

Kenneth Dudley Bassett was born on the 16th of July, 1916 in Roma, Queensland. In September, 1940 he joined the RAAF and commenced training as a pilot at Narrandra, NSW In 1941 he left for further training in Ottawa, Canada.

Kenny arrived in England in that same year and was posted to Heston, South London, joining a Spitfire Squadron then an immediate posting to RAAF 452 Squadron. Tours of duty consisted of sweeps over France and convoy patrols over the English Channel.

452 Squadron was posted to the Isle of Man and there Kenny trained other pilots and then returning to Australia to the defend Darwin in the very dangerous skies over Australia and the Pacific against a determined and resourceful enemy.

Kenny married Eddie in 1942 and was posted to Tasmania mostly training pilots for the remainder of the war. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1945 after War's end and returned to Roma with his family. In 1963 the family moved to Brisbane finally settling St Lucia where he lived for the rest of his life.

Ken was a passionate airman, sportsman, husband, father and friend. Dicing with death obviously whetted his appetite for games of chance and buying Gold Lotto and Scratchies were an integral part of life. He is much loved and much missed by his family and friends.