A couple of years after I moved to England, a chap called Spencer Flack taught me to fly multi engine out of Denham. I had no idea that he had such an interesting aviation history until one day I asked him about all the flying he had done and quite matter-of-factly he mentioned his warbird flying and indeed, eventually, his terrible crash.
He was a terrifically interesting person to meet and it was a pleasure to be instructed by him - he was giving of his time freely - ie I think he was instructing weekends just to pass on a little of his ability and knowledge because he enjoyed doing so.
It was so very sad to hear of his motor racing accident.