Danish WW2 Pilots

Preben Antonsen

(1918 - n.a. )

Profile

Preben Antonsen was one of the Danish, who volunteered for the Royal Air Force. A cook in the Danish Club in Knightsbridge, London, before the war, he is presumed to have served as a cook.

Preben Antonsen was born on 18 May 1918 in Copenhagen, the son of Axel Harald Antonsen and Ebba Erhardine Antonsen (née Thomasen).[1]

In 1939, he was working as a cook in the Danish Club in Knightsbridge, London. He married Esther M. Knudsen, who was working as a housemaid in the same club in 1940.[2]

The Danish Club, 62 Knightsbridge, London, was one of the prime venues for the Danish community in London. Preben Antonsen worked in the club as did Esther M. Knudsen, whom he married in 1940 (Danish National Museum)
The Danish Club, 62 Knightsbridge, London, was one of the prime venues for the Danish community in London. Preben Antonsen worked in the club as did Esther M. Knudsen, whom he married in 1940 (Danish National Museum)

Antonsen volunteered for the Royal Air Force early in the war. The exact date is not known, but his service number (1212802) indicates that it was at 2 Recruitment Centre, Cardington, at some point between April 1940 and April 1941.[3]

Antonsen was included in a list of Danish nationals serving as ground staff sent from the Air Ministry to the Recruiting Office, Danish Nationals on 2 December 1942. He was presumed over-seas at this point.[4]

It is presumed that he served as a cook.

Endnotes

[1] DNA: Parish register, Fredens Sogn.

[2] Ancestry: 1939 England and Wales Register; DNA: Parish register, Fredens Sogn.

[3] NA: AIR 78/4.

[4] DNA: 10194/72.