Battle of Britain hero Archie McInnes dies hours after turning 100
At the age of 99, Archie McInnes flew in a Spitfire over Kent last year.
Friday 2 August 2019 22:29, UK
One of the last remaining Battle of Britain veterans has died shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday.
Archie McInnes, who flew Hurricanes during the 1940 battle in the skies over southern England, completed his pilot training at the age of 21 and was commissioned the next day.
On Wednesday, he died just hours after celebrating his 100th birthday with family and friends.
His biographer Jonny Cracknell tweeted: "An inspiration and hero of a man - rest in peace dear Archie."
Mr Cracknell had earlier tweeted to wish Mr McInnes a happy birthday, noting that he was “the last of the six remaining Battle of Britain ‘Few’ to become a centenarian”.
The Royal Air Force also bestowed birthday greetings on Wednesday, and tweeted after his death to announce the “loss of another hero”.
Those who fought in the three-and-a-half-month Battle of Britain came to be known as The Few after a speech by Winston Churchill, who said of their sacrifices in battle: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
The British victory marked a turning point in the Second World War, but by the end of the battle 544 RAF pilots and aircrew had died.
Flight Lieutenant McInnes was born on July 31 1919 and joined the RAF volunteer reserve in 1938.
He flew Hurricanes with 601 Squadron in Exeter, later moving to 238 Squadron at Chilbolton, Hampshire.
After the Battle of Britain ended on 31 October 1940, he was on board HMS Victorious as part of the team hunting for German battleship Bismarck.
From April 1941, Flt Lt McInnes was part of the North African campaign where he flew various missions including providing cover for bombers.
He was shot down by a Messerschmitt fighter plane in combat on October 30 1941 and lost his left arm.
He was discharged from the RAF in 1946 and eventually retired to village life just outside Cambridge.
At the age of 99 last year, Mr McInnes flew aboard a Spitfire over Kent.
Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston CBE, the Chief of the Air Staff, said: "Flight Lieutenant Archie McInnes was part of an extraordinary band of selfless aviators to whom we owe the freedom we enjoy today.
"The bravery and sacrifice of Archie and The Few should never be forgotten - lest we forget.
"Our thoughts are with Archie's family and beloved friends at this sad time."