When I was first given one to fly, he recalled, my emotion was almost intimidation. He was married to Grace Neil. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. He left the service in 1960 with the rank of Squadron Leader. He was subsequently involved in the testing of Hawker Typhoon fighter-cum-ground-attack aircraft, but did not return to combat duties. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged several others. He was immediately attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 109; he had run out of ammunition and he had great difficulty escaping after his Spitfire was badly damaged. Wheres everybody gone? It was then that you were in danger. [3], Wellum's first commanding officer was RogerBushell, (later immortalised in TheGreatEscape). Never stay still, never fly straight and level, chuck it around. Obituary - Geoffrey Wellum, Battle of Britain pilot and author Like many of his colleagues, Wellum had discovered that nothing could ever compare with the intensity of life as a fighter pilot. Colum MacKenzie (Gary Lewis) is Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) Uncle. ", His first Commanding Officer was Roger Bushell, (later immortalised in The Great Escape), shot down with two others the day after Wellum's arrival, covering the evacuation of Dunkirk. In 1953 he converted to jet aircraft and six months later joined No192 Squadron flying the Canberra on reconnaissance sorties. Wellum witnessed the arrival at Valletta Harbour of the few remaining ships, including, last of all, the desperately-needed oil tanker SS Ohio, barely afloat, escorted by two destroyers. After the war, Wellum remained in the RAF until 1961. Wellum witnessed the arrival at Valletta Harbour of the few remaining ships, including, last of all, the desperately-needed oil tanker SSOhio, barely afloat, escorted by two destroyers. Born the only child of Percy and Edith Wellum, Geoffrey grew up in Walthamstow and attended the Forest School in Snaresbrook. Dad would drive past and then, in about 1937, there was one of the new Hurricanes taxiing in, and there was the pilot with the oxygen mask on him, and I thought, God, I want to be one of those. . He is survived by two children, Anna and Neil. Two days later Britain entered the war. [11], In July 1942, Wellum was sent to Glasgow, where he participated in OperationPedestal, a convoy mission to carry supplies for the relief of the besieged garrison at Malta. Geoffrey Wellum dead - youngest WWII Spitfire pilot to fly in the Battle of Britain who was just 18 when war broke out dies aged 96 The veteran, who was just 18 when he joined the RAF in August. Failed to report flower. Wellum left the Royal Air Force in 1960[13] and took over the family haulage business. This officer has been with his squadron since the evacuation of Dunkirk. Learn more about merges. That summer Wellum was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. My only regret is that it had to happen so early in life". 2023 BBC. After the war he remained in the RAF until 1961, and later ran a haulage business. Wellum had an extraordinary story to tell, and the book he wrote is a huge success it has reached number three on the non-fiction bestsellers list, behind Antony Beevor's Berlin: the Downfall and The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton. He was a writer, known for Witness 1939: When War Broke Out (2014), Battle of Britain (2015) and Spitfire Ace (2004). Disappointed to be leaving frontline service, Wellum initially found the experience to be "almost unbearable". Reading it, you feel you are in the Spitfire with him, thrown around at 20,000ft, chased round by a German Heinkel, with your ammunition gone. Walthamstow, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Greater London, England, Mullion Cove, Cornwall Unitary Authority, Cornwall, England. Throughout the summer of 1940, in the skies above southern England, Wellum and his comrades battled the Luftwaffe to prevent invasion. Looking at him through the site, getting larger much too quickly, concentrate, hold him steady, that's it, hold it". Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum was born at Walthamstow, on August 14 1921. He was a member of the Royal Air Force Club. Dear Jesus why this?. Now 80, he was just 18 and straight out of school when he began flying Spitfires, the youngest fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain. Try again later. Geoffrey Wellum was born on 4 August 1921, an only child, in Walthamstow, Essex, to Percy and Edith Wellum. Eventually, Wellum relaxed: "I found a new peace andgradually I seemed to unwind. [6], Life for Wellum at the end of his career as a fighter pilot was never be quite the same. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. . Many of the chaps became alcoholics.". Next day,with no flying experience,he is expected to pilot a Spitfire;he is nervous but exhilarated. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Among his appointments he was with the Second Tactical Air Force in Germany, converted to jets flying Gloster Meteors, de Havilland Vampires and English Electric Canberra bombers on reconnaissance sorties served at RAF Gaydon, and finally, in East Anglia, with a Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile unit. The youngest Spitfire pilot to fly in the Battle of Britain during World War Two has died, it has been announced. My only regret is that it had to happen so early in life". "I just wanted to sit quietly and convince myself" He takes a deep breath. Wellum looks sad. "Aged seventeen, he signed up on a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force in August 1939. Born the only child of Percy and Edith Wellum, Geoffrey grew up in Walthamstow and attended the Forest School in Snaresbrook. His headaches became severe and he was diagnosed with sinusitis. Try again later. By summer 1941, the Germans had invaded the Soviet Union and there would be no more intensive bombing of southern England until the arrival of the V1 flying bombs, or doodle bugs, and V2 missiles in 1944. They were wooden and you used to buy them as a kit and I had 50 of the damned things. From an early age young Geoffrey wanted to fly. Wellum left the Royal Air Force in 1960[13] and took over the family haulage business. After surgery, he returned from Malta to Britain via Gibraltar, and later became a test pilot for new aircraft, such as the new Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber, based at Gloster Aircraft.
What Gender Is Frisk And Chara,
Is Sheryl Lee Ralph Jamaican,
Articles G