Wg Cdr Tom Neil died just three days short of his 98th birthday, at Thwaite St Mary near Bungay in Norfolk, on 11 July. He is credited with 14 victories during the war, destroying at least nine enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain period. Born in Bootle, Liverpool, Neil was educated at Eccles Grammar School, Manchester. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in October 1938, and was called up on 2 September 1939 to complete his fighter pilot training. At the age of 19, he joined No 249 Squadron in May 1940 at Church Fenton, the unit flying its Hurricanes south to Boscombe Down on 15 August.
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