K. Furness
Kevin Robert FURNISS was born in South Wales in 1898. He was the son of William Marter Furniss, an Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, and his wife Margaret. By 1911 the family had moved to Birches Farm, Codsall; they later moved to 'The Gables', Trysull.
Kevin was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School. He probably enlisted straight from school, joining the Staffordshire Yeomanry before being attached to the Royal Flying Corps as a Lieutenant in 1916. He was posted to 23 Squadron on 31st March 1917 and was shot down three weeks later, on April 22nd, while flying a Spad VII on his second mission over enemy lines. He died of wounds in the German Military Hospital at Cambrai on the 29th. He was 19 years old.
Lieutenant Furniss was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. Some of his effects (including his logbook and some letters) are on display at the RAF Museum, Cosford.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.