Spitfire Mk IIa, Sgt John Gilders, No 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force, February 1941

Text:

Supermarine Spitfire

Spitfire Mk IIa P7816
flown by Sgt John Gilders
No 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force
February 1941

Spitfire IIa, P7816, EB-G, was being flown by Sgt Plt John Gilders when he dived into the ground during an operational patrol on 21 February 1941. As nothing was heard by his fellow pilots, he is assumed to have suffered from anoxia and passed out. Although a crash site was discovered in Chilham, Kent, at the time, his body was not recovered and it was not until April 1994 that the aircraft was finally excavated at the Gilders family’s request. His remains were found and he was afforded a funeral with full military honours at Brookwood Cemetery in May 1995.

Artist: Gaëtan Marie

Misc:

This profile was created for the book "Blood, Sweat and Courage - 41 Squadron RAF 1939-1942" by Steve Brew (Fonthill Media, December 2014).

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