Men of the battle of britain

A much enlarged and updated third edition of the "Men of the Battle of Britain" by Kenneth G Wynn is to be published to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Rights to the book have been acquired by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, following a significant anonymous donation to Trust funds, and the new edition will be published by Halsgrove in association with the Trust, who maintain the National Memorial to "The Few" at Capel le Ferne in Kent. This year, the 70th Anniversary will be commemorated with a Service and Parade at the Memorial on Sunday 11 July, when the Guest of Honour will be the Trust Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent. More details are given on the Memorial website, www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/the-memorial/

Robin.

I've got the first edition (1989 !!!) of this book which has been an excellent source over the decades. You know from the second it was published it would be out of date as new info pours in. A very good buy.

Graham

Robin, - perhaps you could help?
My old man had a friend who joined the RAF & who was shot down over the channel between 0915 & 1340 hrs on 4th Sept 1940. He was A/Flt/Lt David Campbell Bruce of 111 Sqn, flying Hurricane Mk 1 R4172. One account says he flew from Croydon, presumably on a first sortie, then landed at Hawkinge & having refuelled & rearmed (?) took off to intercept another raid before meeting his end. He was 22.
My question is - how do I find out anything about his background? I know nothing of him apart from a letter couched in wartime generalities. My old man always referred to him as 'Cam' & gave me the middle name of Campbell in his memory. Cam would have been living in London before the war. Is there any way of obtaining any more info about him, or his fairly short RAF career? I'd be greatly obliged for any steers.
Cheers, TTT.

Hi Tone.
Have tried to contact one of my fellow trustees who is an aviation historian, but he is away at the moment, so I have left him a message, will have to get back to you. I do not have a copy of 'The Men' to hand, however, there were approx 2.940 of 'The Few' and some achieved great things, but others were only around for a very short time, we can only hope. Will keep you informed.

Robin.

Abbreviated from said book ;

David Campbell Bruce
39853 FO Pilot British 111 Squadron
Joined RAF in May 1937
17 July 1937 5FTS , Sealand
19 February 1938 111 Squadron , Northolt
8 April 1940 probable share of a He111
18 May 1940 Bf109 over Dunkirk
31 May 1940 Bf109 damaged
2 June 1940 Bf109 damaged
11 June 1940 two Bf109's and a Ju88 destroyed
24 August 1940 A/FL and A Flt Commander
25 August 1940 Bf110 destroyed
2 September 1940 shared a He111 destroyed
4 September 1940 reported missing in Hurricane R4172
Remembered on the Runnymede Memorial , Panel 4
APO 5 July 1937
PO 10 May 1938
FO 10 December 1939

You need to buy the book TTT !
Perhaps the Battle Of Britain Historical Society could help further ?

His loss in Hurricane R4172 is also listed in Fighter Command Losses by Franks and The Battle Of Britain Then and Now by Ramsey et al . A more detailed account of his claims appear in Aces High by Shores and a good account of the day's action , a Wednesday , is given in Fighter Command War Diaries by Foreman were Bruce is also mentioned for his claim on 2 September .

David.

Thank you for the info.

Robin.

No problem Robin , I'm happy to help were I can . I am sure there are other aviation forums that could help further and someone with an interest in geneology could probably trace Bruce's family tree and provide some good leads but is that person a member of this forum.....................?

My friend just rang, good report from David, he confirmed that the Sqn moved to Croydon from Debden on 3 Sept 40, and then moved up to Drem shortly after.

Robin.

Just a short one, as I'm away for the weekend:

Thanks a million, guys, it all helps fill in the picture. For instance, I have no image of Bruce - was he tall, short, fat, thin, dark, fair??? I'll need to find out - if I can - about the Bruces, & if there are any relations to be found. I did try 111sqn, but to the current crew 1940 is ancient history.
I'll have to go to Blackwell's in search of the books. My wife'll be overjoyed at more books.......
TTT