Geoffrey Wellum RIP

[ChrisJ]

What were you doing when you were 18?

Geoffrey Wellum was the youngest spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain.

He died today at the age of 96. What an innings. Thank you sir!

Here's the BBC's adaptation of his book "First Light"

https://vimeo.com/45585260

 

[Barrykearley]

What an incredible gentleman. An end of and era as these hero’s fly high.

RIP sir 

[cbclotus]

Well said Barry! 

[cbclotus]

Thank you  for posting Chris. Total respect and gratitude owed to so many.

[Mark030358]

RIP.

Sad to hear...

 

[Kimbers]

Well said and RIP! Sady I don't think we will see the like ever again. These days, men of that age sit on playstations and bitch about how much the world owes them!

[Bassman]

RIP. A true legend, although he would never have described himself as one. His book "First Light" is an enthralling read.

[EGTE]

Yes, that was a fine book.

Salute to Geoffrey.

[tinywillyuk]

Read the book and had the privilege of meeting him and a brief chat.   Having also met and spoken with Johnny Johnson and Eric Winkle Brown,  all three shared a common desire to play down their achievements and talk about anything but their history, in the main preferring to discuss the merits of the nearby eye candy.  Inspirational gentlemen all of them. 

[Inkyfingers]

I've had his book on my shelf for ages, and sadly it's taken his passing to make me read it.

I'm 100 pages in and it's wonderful. He tells a wonderfully exciting story (and he hasn't even gone to war yet), while remaining incredibly humble.