Kenneth George Cluer was born in Lewisham SE London. He was the son of Frederick George and Ethel Mary Cluer.

Kenneth was educated at Colfe’s Grammar School in Lewisham. He subsequently studied for Company Secretarial and Accountancy Qualifications.

On 26 September 1938 it is believed that he enlisted with The Royal Regiment of Artillery. In August 1941 he passed a medical examination for fitness test to join The AAC as a potential ‘pilot/observer’. 

Then in July 1944 Kenneth  went on to train as a 2^nd glider pilot. His initial training was in a ‘Tigermoth’ trainer aircraft in May 1944 with 21 EFTS. By October 1944, according his Pilot’s Log Book, he had received over 44 hours of flying experience. Kenneth went on to have 2^nd pilot experience in Hotspur 2 and Horsa gliders as well as Whitley bombers. His last flight was in a ‘Tigermoth’ on 19 January 1945. In total he gained over 45 hours of flying experience.

It is known that Kenneth served at some point in in SE Asia. Dates are currently unknown. However he was awarded a Burma Star (see photo) and appears in group images with members of 669 Sqn. RAF in SE Asia. He also completed a basic Burmese language course and jungle self preservation instruction.

Kenneth was released from service 13 December 1945. 

Post War he returned to civilian life with his Pre-War employer as an 'Employment Assistant to Accountant' with 'Reliance' Rubber. Then, later became an accountant and company secretary with National Pharmaceutical Union, (later National Pharmaceutical Association possibly in the late 1940s?) He retired in 1981.

Kenneth was married on 6 September 1947

His son Richard recalls that his father was:

“Always quiet, but self-assured (I witnessed some examples, as did others), never shouted or swore; family orientated. Many quiet, philosophical and practical discussions with my father during my teenage years. Never revealed anything about military service, except learning to fire single rounds from Thompson SMG while in automatic setting and a few self-defence tips.

Enjoyed time gardening (in Winter wearing Fleece lined Flying Boots, Red Beret and leather Flying Jacket, in summer Army Boots & Beret), various D.I.Y projects (rose arbours, sheds, cupboards, shelving, pelmets, I remember helping to rewire the family home, “ring mains” were a very new thing then) and car maintenance.

Put 100% effort into anything he did.

He Lived in Lee, SE London in house purchased 1951 until his death. My father long harboured a wish to revisit India and the Far East (this never happened), instead holidayed in UK (especially South West, where there may have been family ties), later in Europe.

Enjoyed motorbikes, purchased Aerial (per photograph) to travel from barracks in Suffolk to home (Richard remembers hearing tales of engine dismantling and rebuild on kitchen table), but gave up in consideration of his mother’s feelings.”

The ParaData team will update this profile when a copy of Kenneth’s service records are available. Thanks go to Richard Cluer for donating documents and images relating to Kenneth's service and for his assistance in creating this profile.