Yorkshire volunteers remind us of amazing heroics of Battle of Britain: The Yorkshire Post says

Eighty years ago today, what is now known as the Battle of Britain Day took place as RAF Fighter Command shot down 56 German aircraft, forcing the Nazis to concede they would not be able to achieve air supremacy over Britain and stop daylight attacks.
By YP Comment
Published 15th Sep 2020, 05:45 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2020, 08:56 BST
Sergeant James 'Ginger' Lacey, a notable volunteer from Yorkshire, who learned to fly in his spare-time while working as a trainee pharmacist. Picture: RAF/PA WireSergeant James 'Ginger' Lacey, a notable volunteer from Yorkshire, who learned to fly in his spare-time while working as a trainee pharmacist. Picture: RAF/PA Wire
Sergeant James 'Ginger' Lacey, a notable volunteer from Yorkshire, who learned to fly in his spare-time while working as a trainee pharmacist. Picture: RAF/PA Wire

All these years later, new stories are still emerging of those who took part in the vital effort to defend Britain during 1940; including two-part time pilots from Yorkshire - James ‘Ginger’ Lacey, a trainee pharmacist in Leeds, and John Dundas, a journalist for The Yorkshire Post from Barnsley.

Their records have been republished by the RAF for today’s anniversary and their stories show the tragically differing fortunes of war. While Sgt Lacey went on to become a flying instructor near Bridlington and lived until 1989, Flying Officer Dundas was killed in November 1940 at the age of just 25.

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The stories of both are a reminder of what heroic volunteers risked to protect their country from Nazism.

A portrait of Flying Officer John Dundas, a notable volunteer pilot, drawn by Cuthbert Orde at the time of the Battle of Britain. He joined a reservist unit in peacetime while working as a journalist for the Yorkshire Post. Picture: RAF/PA WireA portrait of Flying Officer John Dundas, a notable volunteer pilot, drawn by Cuthbert Orde at the time of the Battle of Britain. He joined a reservist unit in peacetime while working as a journalist for the Yorkshire Post. Picture: RAF/PA Wire
A portrait of Flying Officer John Dundas, a notable volunteer pilot, drawn by Cuthbert Orde at the time of the Battle of Britain. He joined a reservist unit in peacetime while working as a journalist for the Yorkshire Post. Picture: RAF/PA Wire

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

Related topics:BritainYorkshire

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