Australian Groups

Lot 4226    SESSION 13 (2.30pm Thursday)    Australian Groups

Estimate $35,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $39,250

GROUP OF TEN: Distinguished Service Order (EIIR); Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (GRI), 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal; United Nations Korea Medal; Coronation Medal (EIIR) 1953; USA Air Medal. 584 J.R.Kinninmont on third to sixth medals, 03104 J.R.Kinnninmont on seventh and eighth medals First medal unnamed, second medal engraved '1944', third to eighth medals impressed, ninth and tenth medals unnamed. Very fine - extremely fine.

Jack Royston Kinninmont, RAAF, Squadron Leader in WWII, and Wing Commander in Korea. DFC. L.G. 23May1944 C.G. 25May1944 'Squadron Leader Kinninmont was a member of No.453 Fighter Squadron throughout the Malayan campaign and completed a total of 70 hours of operational flying during which he destroyed three Japanese aircraft and damaged another six. He was posted to No.77 IF Squadron on 1st August 1943 and flew a total of 17 operational hours before being posted to command No.75 IF Squadron on 23 October 1943. While with this squadron he completed a further 131 hours of operational flying and brought his total of sorties to 107 with 31 strikes. Squadron Leader Kinninmont has proved himself to be an outstanding leader and has displayed exceptional courage and skill in the execution of offensive strikes against the enemy. He has repeatedly attacked and inflicted damage on the enemy in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, particularly during the months of February and March 1944 when his determined and daring attacks on targets in the Alexhaven, Hansa Bay and Wewak areas set a striking example to all members of his squadron. His courage and keenness have at all times been outstanding and have contributed considerably to the numerous successes'. Bar to DFC. L.G. 25Jun1946 C.G. 27Jun1946 'Squadron Leader Kinninmont, as Wing Leader No.78 Fighter Wing for over seven months has been largely responsible for the excellent results achieved during the Borneo operations. Operating from Tarakan, he constantly led his formations on strafing and dive bombing attacks on Japanese installations, concentrations and dumps along enemy escape routes from the east coast of Borneo and at Sandakan, Tawao, Selor, Balikpapan and Bandjermasin. When in support of the 7th Australian Division in difficult country at Balikpapan, his leadership played a considerable part in the success of the operation'. DSO. L.G. 07Jul1953 C.G. 09Jul1953 'For skilful and aggressive leadership as Officer Commanding No.77 (Interceptor/Fighter) Squadron, Korea'. U.S.Air Medal. L.G. 26Apr1955 C.G. 05May1955 'Meritorious achievement particularly in aerial flight as Pilot Meteor Aircraft 77th Interceptor Fighter Squadron, 5th U.S.A. Air Force'. Jack Royston Kinninmont was born 13Nov1920 in North Sydney and educated at North Sydney Boys High School. Enl.04Sep1939 at Point Cook, Victoria. On 02 Jan 1940 Air Cadet Kinninmont, 22 Sqn flying a Demon experienced a forced landing at Richmond Aerodrome. March 1940 he graduated No.26 course at Richmond Flying School, N.S.W. In World War II Wing Commander Jack 'Congo' Kinninmont was an original member of 21 City of Melbourne Fighter Squadron in Malaya flying Brewster Buffalo aircraft. He also flew with 453 Sqn in Malaya and with 75 and 77 Kittyhawk Fighter Sqns in New Guinea, Goodonough Island, Borneo and Morotai. Squadron Leader J.R.Kinninmont was Commanding Officer of 75 Sqn 23Nov1943 and Commanding Officer of 78 Sqn 12Feb1947. In 1944 he was awarded a DFC and in 1946 first Bar to the DFC. On 5th July 1945 with 78 Flight Sqn, while strafing Kalabaken Village his Kittyhawk hit two coconut trees damaging his aircraft making it impossible to land. He rolled his aircraft over at 4,500 ft and fell out. 30 ft above the water he released from his parachute and once in the water he managed to successfully inflate his dinghy, climb in and wait until being rescued by members of the RAN crash launch. In 1952 he undertook a Jet Conversion Course with No 2 Operational Training Unit. Wing Commander J.R.Kinninmont was Commanding Officer of 77 Sqn 20Jul1952 before handing over command of the squadron to Wing Commander J.W.Hubble on 20th January 1953. For his service in Korean War he was awarded the DSO and the US Air Medal.