Lilian Bader (née Bailey) was a Leading Aircraftwoman with the WAAF during the Second World War, and one of the first black women to join the RAF. Born 18 February 1917 in Liverpool, Bader’s father was originally from Barbados and had served in the Royal Navy during the First World...
Patricia Clark (née Robins) was a former WAAF who worked as a Filterer during the Second World War. Born 1 February 1921 in Hove in Sussex, Clark was the second of three daughters born to the well-known novelist Denise Robins. She enjoyed a privileged childhood, attending schools in Switzerland and...
Douglas Bader was one of the RAF’s most famous fighter pilots during the Second World War. His story proved inspirational to countless people, both during and after the war. Born 21 February 1910 in London, Bader was awarded a scholarship to St Edward’s School in Oxford. This was followed by...
Clifford Percival Rudland was a fighter pilot during the Second World War, flying in the Battle of Britain. Born in 1915 in London, he joined the RAFVR in March 1938. Entering as an Airman u/t (under training) Pilot, he started his elementary training at Hamble.
With the outbreak of the...
Kenneth Wilkinson was a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain. Born 29 June 1918 in Barrow-in-Furness and educated at Cheltenham Grammar School, Wilkinson joined the RAFVR in March 1939 as an Airman u/t (under training) Pilot.
On 1 September 1939, with the outbreak of the Second World War, he...
Eileen Younghusband (née Le Croissette) served as a WAAF during the Second World War, where her mathematical skills helped her play a crucial role in foiling German V-2 bombs. Born 4 July 1921 in London, Younghusband volunteered for service with the WAAF when she was 19 in 1941. Training as...
Captain James Ira Thomas ‘Taffy’ Jones was a fighter ace during the First World War, achieving 37 victories. Born 18 April 1896 in St Clears in Carmarthenshire, Jones enlisted with the Army in 1913.
With the outbreak of war the following year, he transferred to the RFC, where he joined...
Eric Lock was the most successful British-born fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain, shooting down 16 German aircraft and having a total of 22 confirmed victories. Born 19 April 1920 in Bayston in Shropshire, Lock was educated at Prestfelde School. He gained his first taste of flying on a...
Indra Lal Roy was an Indian fighter ace, achieving a total of 10 victories. Born 2 December 1898 in Calcutta in India, Roy moved to England with his family as a child. Educated at St Paul’s School in Kensington, he was only 15 when the First World War broke out...
General Edward Ashmore was a pioneer in air defence during the First World War. Born 20 February 1872, Ashmore served as a British Army Officer for 30 years. Serving in the Royal Artillery, the RFC and the RAF, he went on to create and develop the organisation that would become...
