Battle of Britain pilot recalls war

The oldest living World War II Battle of Britain pilot, who lives in Shropshire, today spoke about his memories at a special lunch.

Ron Smyth, 85, of Shrewsbury, attended an event with other members of the Shropshire branch of the Air Crew Association.

Mr Smyth, the county's sole remaining Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot, reminisced with ex-bomber pilots, air gunners and navigators from the Second World War.

He said: "It was a very chaotic time. I'm not sure how to put this, but I wasn't so much involved in the sort of Biggles stuff.

"A lot of my work was related to the interception of bombers. The thing I remember most, to be honest, happened on the ground.

"I remember walking through the streets of London, which were totally bombed out. I remember seeing people living in tube stations and such like."

Mr Smyth, who was originally from Kent and a sergeant with 111 and 249 squadron, added that he had been amazed by the rapidity of the Battle of Britain. He added: "Churchill wanted as many airmen as possible. The time we had to train was drastically cut down, from six weeks to two."

The Shropshire branch has around 40 members who regularly meet at The Wroxeter Hotel, in the shadow of The Wrekin, which is a major navigation point for pilots.

Branch secretary Paul Martin, a retired helicopter pilot instructor and examiner at RAF Shawbury, said: "I'm one of the youngest members at 61 but the group is for all ex-military crew."