KLEE Bernard Peter

Peter Klee was born in India where his father was in the army, the son of Major Bernard and Jennie Klee of Southall Avenue, Worcester. He attended Worcester Royal Grammar School from 1935 to 1936 where he won the Allen Cup for shooting. After leaving school he joined H.W. Ward & Co to follow a career in engineering. He volunteered for the RAF and after receiving his wings he was selected to be a fighter pilot. He flew Spitfires from RAF Coltishall, Norfolk, patrolling the East coast area with other pilots of his squadron. He successfully shot down a number of enemy aircraft. On the night of 4th May 1941 having taken off, he was flying across his aerodrome when he was shot down by a Ju88 German ‘Intruder’ aircraft flown by Lieutenant Hans Hahn. His body was brought back to Worcester and he was buried in Astwood Cemetery after a funeral service in St George’s R.C. Church in Worcester.

Source for additional information: In Dedication to a Future World By Mark Rogers, 1999.

Bernard Klee was educated at Plymouth Catholic College before attending Worcester Royal Grammar School. He was a natural sportsman, as well as winning the Allen Cup for shooting, he excelled at cricket and was a keen tennis player. He volunteered for the RAF in April 1939 and was put on the reserve list until his call up when war broke out, when he commenced his pilot training. Once through his advanced training he went on to learn the tactics of aerial combat used by Hurricanes and Spitfires. His first listed sortie was a patrol of the Coltishall area on 21st December 1940 in Spitfire X4246.

Source for additional information: The Faithful Few Worcestershire’s Fighter Boys By Andrew long, 2007.

Bernard Peter Klee, occupation: Pilot Officer R.A.F., resident Redlands, Southall Ave, Worcester, died at Scottow, Norfolk. He was buried in Astwood Cemetery, Roman Catholic, on 9th May 1941, aged 20 years, Dissenter. The ceremony was performed by the Reverend J.P. Klee.

Source for additional information: Register of burials in Astwood Cemetery, entry no 53453, available on microfilm at Worcestershire Archives.