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OCTOBER IS BATTLE OF BRITAIN MONTH AT ACES HIGH
We are delighted to announce three events throughout the month, each hosting some outstanding veterans of one of the most crucial periods in our nation’s history – the Battle of Britain.
SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER
To start the month we will be joined at the Wendover Gallery by the following Aircrew that flew during the Battle of Britain:
Flight Lieutenant OWEN BURNS – Joining 235 Sqn in May 1940 he flew as a WOP/Air Gunner on Blenheims throughout the Battle of Britain but was injured in 1941 when the aircraft he was on crash landed, killing the observer. He later joined 279 Sqn on Hudson carrying out Air Sea Rescue’s with the 24 foot airborne lifeboat.
Wing Commander BOB FOSTER DFC – Posted to 605 Sqn he flew Hurricanes throughout the Battle of Britain with much success. In 1942 he went to Australia with 54 Sqn, the first RAF unit to assist in the country’s defence, flying Spitfires from Darwin and scoring the Wing’s first victory. He finished the war with 7 confirmed victories and 3 probables.
Flight Lieutenant ROBIN APPLEFORD – One of the youngest pilots to take part in the Battle of Britain, he flew Spitfires from Duxford with 66 Sqn and was shot down in combat over the Thames Estuary. After a spell as an instructor, he joined 274 Sqn in 1943 flying Hurricanes on coastal defence in North Africa, before returning to instructing and flying with the Aircraft Delivery Unit in South Africa.
Squadron Leader KEN WILKINSON – Joining the RAFVR in 1939 he was called up to full-time service at the outbreak of war, flying Spitfires with 616 Sqn and then 19 Sqn at Fowlmere and Duxford. After a spell as an instructor he returned to operational combat flying in 1943 again on Spitfires with 234 Sqn and 165 Sqn.
Wing Commander GEORGE SWANWICK – Initially an air gunner on Westland Wallaces and Hinds he trained as an NCO pilot in 1939 joining 54 Sqn on Spitfires at the height of the Battle of Britain. In late 1940 he joined 41 Sqn at Hornchurch carrying out Channel Patrols and then 222 Sqn at North Weald before moving to Malta in 1942 with 603 and 81 Sqn until he was injured and hospitalised in March 1944.
DUXFORD AIRSHOW – SUNDAY 14th OCTOBER
WE WILL BE JOINED BY A NUMBER OF BATTLE OF BRITAIN AIRCREW – FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE SO KEEP CHECKING THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.
SATURDAY 27th OCTOBER
To round off our series of events for the month we are joined in Wendover by the following Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots:
Wing Commander TIM ELKINGTON – Joining the RAF at the outbreak of war, he flew Hurricanes with No 1 Sqn from Tangmere through the Battle of Britain. After downing a Me109 over the Channel in August, was shot down over Thorney Island and baled out injured. Posted away from the Squadron he stayed in the RAF until 1975.
Wing Commander TONY PICKERING – With 32 and 501 Sqn, he flew Hurricanes throughout the Battle of Britain, moving to 601 Sqn at the end of 1940. In 1941 he became a test pilot and instructor and returned to operations with 131 Sqn finishing the war in the Middle East.
Wing Commander KEN MACKENZIE DFC – Flying Hurricanes during 1940 with 43 and 501 Sqn, he famously brought down a Me109 by slapping it with his wingtip. He was shot down in 1941 whilst flying a strafing mission with 247 Sqn and taken POW, finishing the War with 13 victories.
Flight Lieutenant RICHARD JONES – Called up in 1939 he flew Spitfires with 64 Sqn at Kenley and was involved in the heavy fighting over the Channel during the Battle of Britain, with the unit suffering many losses. In October he joined 19 Sqn as part of the Duxford Wing and later returned to 64 Sqn at Hornchurch until April 1941 when he joined De Havilland as a test pilot.
Wing Commander TONY PICKERING – With 32 and 501 Sqn, he flew Hurricanes throughout the Battle of Britain, moving to 601 Sqn at the end of 1940. In 1941 he became a test pilot and instructor and returned to operations with 131 Sqn finishing the war in the Middle East.
Wing Commander KEN MACKENZIE DFC – Flying Hurricanes during 1940 with 43 and 501 Sqn, he famously brought down a Me109 by slapping it with his wingtip. He was shot down in 1941 whilst flying a strafing mission with 247 Sqn and taken POW, finishing the War with 13 victories.
Flight Lieutenant RICHARD JONES – Called up in 1939 he flew Spitfires with 64 Sqn at Kenley and was involved in the heavy fighting over the Channel during the Battle of Britain, with the unit suffering many losses. In October he joined 19 Sqn as part of the Duxford Wing and later returned to 64 Sqn at Hornchurch until April 1941 when he joined De Havilland as a test pilot.
Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC – Joining 616 Sqn in mid 1940 he flew Spitfires from Kenley, on one occasion forced to ditch in the North Sea after running out of fuel whilst pursuing a Ju 88. After a spell with 92 Sqn he volunteered for Bomber Command for a second tour, flying Lancasters as a prominent member of 617 Sqn, completing many special operations including all the raids against the Tirpitz.
It is becoming more and more difficult to bring together Battle of Britain veterans so these opportunities are now becoming increasingly rare.
These are all free events but entry is STRICTLY BY TICKET ONLY* so please call as soon as possible, to secure your place. Purchases of £40 or more at the events may be signed free of charge with all other items subject to a £20 signing fee.
*This excludes our signing at the Duxford Airshow
WE EXPECT THESE EVENTS TO FILL UP QUICKLY SO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SECURE YOUR PLACE PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ON 01296 625681
Aces High Gallery
These are all free events but entry is STRICTLY BY TICKET ONLY* so please call as soon as possible, to secure your place. Purchases of £40 or more at the events may be signed free of charge with all other items subject to a £20 signing fee.
*This excludes our signing at the Duxford Airshow
WE EXPECT THESE EVENTS TO FILL UP QUICKLY SO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SECURE YOUR PLACE PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ON 01296 625681
Aces High Gallery