Keith Hampshire (RAAF officer)
Keith MacDermott Hampshire | |
|---|---|
Keith Hampshire in England, 9 June 1944 | |
| Born | 14 September 1914 Port Macquarie, Australia |
| Died | circa 17 November 1982 (aged 68) Palos Verdes, California, United States |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1937–1946 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands | No. 456 Squadron RAAF (1944) No. 22 Squadron RAAF (1942–43) No. 6 Squadron RAAF (1941–42) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | John Hampshire (brother) |
Keith MacDermott Hampshire, DSO & Bar, DFC (10 September 1914 – c. 17 November 1982) was a pilot and ace of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War. He saw action in twin-engine propeller-driven aircraft, flying intruder, ground attack and night fighter missions.
Hampshire is notable for three achievements in particular:
- becoming the first person to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) twice while posted to RAAF units;
- commanding front-line squadrons in both the Pacific and European theatres, and;
- destroying at least seven (and perhaps as many as 10) enemy aircraft in air combat, all of them during 1944.
His younger brother, John Hampshire (1916–1990), also commanded RAAF squadrons in both the Pacific and Europe.