Another Battle of Britain pilot gone
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,837
Received 2,805 Likes
on
1,195 Posts
Another Battle of Britain pilot gone
A great story and life, but such a sad loss. RIP
RIP the amazing and courageous Few.
Olster,
As most of us would have done, given the circumstances.
As most of us would have done, given the circumstances.
RIP Maurice.
What an amazing group these pilots were, not only the RAF, but also Army, Navy and an entire generation of outstanding human beings from all over the world who faced adversity head on.
I dip my hat to them all.
What an amazing group these pilots were, not only the RAF, but also Army, Navy and an entire generation of outstanding human beings from all over the world who faced adversity head on.
I dip my hat to them all.
Such stories of these legends, their camaraderie, their dignity when they were wounded and the way they generally conducted themselves.
I'm sure that this led to my initial interest and then continuous enjoyment of what I, and most of us reading this, have done for the last 60 years.
Our achievements these days can rarely match those of this generation.
Total respect, gentlemen, and blue skies for the Few left. RIP Sir.
I'm sure that this led to my initial interest and then continuous enjoyment of what I, and most of us reading this, have done for the last 60 years.
Our achievements these days can rarely match those of this generation.
Total respect, gentlemen, and blue skies for the Few left. RIP Sir.
Inevitable, but sad nevertheless. A life well lived - RIP.
Indeed, but I was pleased to see that the article at NutLoose's link refers to the deaths of 544 RAF pilots and aircrew. The contribution of the observers and air gunners in the ten squadrons of Blenheims which took part in the Battle of Britain is often overlooked, as well as in those equipped with Beaufighters and Defiants. Natural because of the preponderance of single seat fighters in the Battle, but I always add "and navigators" under my breath when I hear the phrase "Battle of Britain pilots".
What an amazing group these pilots were
Jack
Apparently not Union Jack. The following from the BBC.
The three surviving members of the Few are Flt Lt William Clark, 100, Wing Commander Paul Farnes, 101, and Flying Officer John Hemingway, 100.
The three surviving members of the Few are Flt Lt William Clark, 100, Wing Commander Paul Farnes, 101, and Flying Officer John Hemingway, 100.
I take Maurice flew Hurricanes with 56 Sqn? If I recall, it would be no more than about 10 to 15 years ago, there was comfortably over a hundred B o B veterans still with us. Now the last three that can be identified are each over 100 years old. When I joined the RAF in 1977 the newly appointed CDS was a Battle of Britain veteran, MRAF Sir Neil Cameron.
Times certainly change.
FB
Times certainly change.
FB
The ever present fear he and his comrades faced wasn't a merciful and sudden death but the agony of being badly burned by the contents of an erupted high octane fuel tank that sat virtually in their laps. Maurice suffered that fate yet survived thanks to then radical surgery epitomised by the Burns Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital East Grinstead led by Sir Archibald McIndoe.
Never was so much owed indeed. Given the divisions at the very top of the British Establishment as whether to resist or to parley with Hitler, the BoB was key to our staying in the war and hence launching the Allied invasion of Nazi Europa in 1944. You don't get more strategic than that!
RIP Sir, fair winds and blue skies.
Never was so much owed indeed. Given the divisions at the very top of the British Establishment as whether to resist or to parley with Hitler, the BoB was key to our staying in the war and hence launching the Allied invasion of Nazi Europa in 1944. You don't get more strategic than that!
RIP Sir, fair winds and blue skies.
Last edited by Chugalug2; 11th Dec 2019 at 11:02. Reason: Spillin
