While confusion existed over the birthplace of WWI ace and airplane speed hero, Samuel Marcus Kinkead, it has been established, contrary to the wikipedia article on him, that Samuel was born in Ballykeen townland, Ballykelly, county Londonderry. Since the previous posts here, Julian Lewis, has published a thorough and excellent biographical book on him. It is titled "Racing Ace: The fights and flights of Samuel 'Kink' Kinkead DSO DSC* DFC*" (Pen & Sword Aviation, 2011). His death was a big international news event of that time and he was greatly admired for his efforts.
The following is part of an article explaining his birth and heritage that appeared in Northern Ireland newspapers at the time of his death.
Kinkead a Derryman.// The father of Flight-Lieut. S. M. Kinkead was at one time manager of the business establishment at the junction of Orchard Street and Bridge Street of Messrs. M'Cully & Thompson. He married a Scotchwoman, and emigrated to South Africa, where he had a prosperous career. In 1897 he and his wife paid a visit to this country from Johannesburg, and during their stay at Ballykeen, Ballykelly, the heroic young air officer was born.// The ivy covered cottage in which he first saw the light is now occupied by Mr. James Moore.// In the early stages of the war he was a flying officer with the British main fleet, under Admiral Jellico. When the fleet was in Lough Swilly, Lieut. Kinkead took occasion to visit Derry, and called upon his cousin, Mr. Alex. Thompson at Waterside.// Dead Airman's Funeral.// Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead will be buried with full honours in Fawloy Churchyard two miles from Calshot, to-day.// Futher attempts to be made.// It is learned that the British Air Ministry intend to continue their attempts to break the world's air speed record now held by Italy. [Derry Journal, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Friday, 16 March 1928, page 7, column 5].
A Melancholy Coincidence. Death Coincides with Church Centenary. The information that Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead was born in County Derry was given to the "Northern Whig" yesterday by Mr. S. M. Robinson, who lived in South Africa for a number of years, and is presently residing at Downshire House, Maxwell Road, Bangor. Mr. Robinson is a son of the late Rev. William C. Robinson, M.A., who was minister of Ballykelly Presbyterian Church from 1862-1905.// Mr. Robinson remarked on the melancholy coincidence that the news of Flight-Lieut. Kinkead's death synchronised with the publication in the "Whig" yesterday of a special article on the centenary of Ballykelly Presbyterian Church and of pictures of the church, one of which showed the tablet erected to the memory of Mr. Robinson's father.// Mr. Robinson, in the course of his conversation with a "Whig" representative, stated that Lieutenant Kinkead's ancestors on his paternal side were County Derry men. He was born in the house of his grandfather at Ballykeen (where his father was also born) and was baptised by Mr. Robinson's father.// During his long residence in South Africa Mr. Robison was well acquainted with the Kinkead family. He knew the galland airman whose death is so much regretted in his early boyhood, and stated that he was always affectionately known as "Babs," even until the time when he joined the flying service during the war. He described Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead as always being a very calm lad, exceedingly plucky, and as hard as nails.// Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead's elder brother also joined the Air Force, but was killed while training in England preparatory to going on foreign service. His two sisters are alive, but his father died about 15 years ago. His mother was a Scotswoman.// It is worthy of note that Mr. Robinson's brother, the Rev. Aston Robinson, B.A., Carnlough, is the special preacher at the continued centenary services in Ballykelly Church next Sunday.[The Northern Whig and Belfast Post, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Wednesday, 14 March 1928, page 7, column 3].
