KENNINGTON - Kent Fallen

and was posted to the famous 29 th Squadron. Alexander’s 29 Squadron was commanded by
Major James T.B. McCUDDEN VC,DSO,MC,MM. Alexander was a personal friend of the
famous British flying ace. They often flew with eachother and Alexander’s name appears on
pages 48 and 49 of “Under the Guns of the Red Baron” (ISBN: 1-898697-96-5) where James
mentions Alexander’s name in one of his official reports.
On 7 th April 1917 Alec and another officer were attacking German captive balloons some distance
over the German lines when at 17.10 hours they were surprised by a German chasing squadron.
The German machines attacked in force and this bought down Alecs machine. At first it was
thought that Alec had landed safely and been taken prisoner but on 16 th September 1917 a
confidential communique was received direct from the Germans -
A German aircraft dropped a letter from the air over his squadron base. It stated that a Lieutenant
A Jennings had been shot down and that the German Air Force had buried his body with full
military honours. A German Officer held as a prisoner of war in Maidenhead England confirmed
this story and provided the British authorities with a sworn statement confirming Alec’s death.
According to this statement Alec was bought down by a German fighter when he attempted to
attack some captive balloons North of the River Scarpe. At the time of his death Alec was flying a
Nieport XVII one seater biplane Registation number A6692.
German records show that Alexander’s plane was shot down by a Vfw L Patermann of number 4
Jasta North West of Biache.
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