As the Spitfire enters the last leg of its tour of England, Scotland and Wales to celebrate 90 years since the first ever Spitfire test flight, we reminisce on all the engine has seen, all it has been a part of. How much it has aided.
With the tour ongoing, it is the most perfect time to look into local fallen. Into local RAF personnel who flew them. Men who’ve sacrificed their lives for us. Around 1,500 of them. All whose sacrifice was as great as the man before him and the man after.
Whilst we know about famous spitfire fliers; like that of Douglas Bader, what about the remainder of the men who aren’t spoken of? Who too left behind mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, and wives. Who too gave their all, like that of your average West Midlands man whose life was sacrificed during WWII.
Spitfires were the most widely produced and strategically important British single seat fighters of WWII. And Flying Officer (F/O) John Charles Gilbert was among those men who within their lifetime flew one.
A part of 609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, John who grew up in Smethwick joined 609 squadron on the 25th of July 1937 as a pilot officer. After much flight training, he became an F/O on the 30th of May 1939.
John Charles Gilbert with fellow RAF personnel
On the first of September 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland sparking the beginning of WWII. Two days later the UK declared war. Newly appointed in his F/O role John was more than ready to fight. Taking part in all his squadron’s deployments and engagements in the first few months that followed.
Unfortunately he met his fate on the 31st of May 1940.
Spitfires first entered service in 1938, and it was whilst he was flying his Spitfire (MK. L1081) over the English channel; a spitfire which had first been flown 17th of August 1939. That according to the Aviation safety network, he was airborne from RAF Northolt, South Ruislip, Middlesex where he was escorting a squadron of Boulton Paul Defiants. It was there that whilst in combat with a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 he was shot down over Dunkirk.
Unfortunately John and his Spitfire were never found, but because the Spitfire never returned when it was due to, plus no evidence being found of John, they reported him missing in action, presumed dead. His family lived the rest of their lives unsure of where John was but always aware of his devotion to his duty.
His sacrifice alone is a reason to remember him. Every story matters, every life matters. Everyone has a story and this story was his.