Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was only 23 when he piloted his Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber into the heart of a 1,000 gun fire-storm which protected the German battle-cruiser, Gneisenau, at Brest Harbour. Single-handedly, the young Scot was to change the
course of the battle of the Atlantic.

It was dawn, Sunday 6th April 1941, and Campbell's bomber was alone. The fog and driving rain had prevented the two other accompanying Beauforts. Campbell flew in at 50ft through the gauntlet of flak and blew a 40ft hole in the Gneisenau's starboard side that flooded its turbines and put it out of the War for eight critical months.

The aircraft was immediately hit by a barrage of 20mm flak explosive shells and smashed into the harbour. The Germans recovered the four crewman's bodies and later buried them with full military honours. For the combination of supreme valour and classic sacrifice for his country, Kenneth Campbell was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Flying officer Campbell now lies at the Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery at Lambezellec, Cape Finistere, 2km north-east of the crash site. On Friday 7th April 2000, almost exactly 59 years after the attack, his memory was honoured in Saltcoats. The tribute may have been long overdue but a crowd of more than 100 gathered, evidence enough that his name is not forgotten in his home town.

Amongst those paying their respect was the officer now commanding Campbell's squadron, Wing Commander Dais Simpson, OC 22 Squadron, which now operates in Cornwall, in a search and rescue role with Sea King Helicopters.

He was accompanied by an RAF colour party and a group of ex-servicemen including Royal British Legion Scotland office bearers and a survivor of the raid, Ron Bramley, 79. Mr Bramley was a wireless operator and air gunner on one of two other Beauforts of 22 squadron that had been sent on the attack.

The story of FO Campbell's heroism was brought to the attention of North Airship Council, by former Saltcoats resident, Bill Brady, now living in South Africa. Mr Brady flew from Natal for the ceremony, having first visited Campbell's grave. "I realised that was simply not another act of bravery. It had massive strategic importance in the War, and it seemed astonishing that this man had not been recognised in Scotland."

Wing Commander David Simpson accepted Campbell's Victoria Cross on behalf of the squadron from his only surviving brother, James.

Wing Cmdr. Simpson, visibly moved, said: "This is the most outstanding day of my RAF career. It is the only Victoria Cross awarded to an RAF torpedo bomber and represents heroism that was decisive in winning the Battle of the Atlantic."

A brass plaque was unveiled above a black cast iron bench near the town's war memorial, with the profile of a Beaufort Bomber among clouds, bearing Campbell's name in gold, along with "RAF 22 Squadron" and "For Valour". Overhead, the RAF flag was trailed by a Sea King