70 Years On -- The Last of the Few ; in 1940 They Were Just Out of School, Their Planes and Their Courage All That Stood Between Britain and Nazi Domination ... [Scot Region]

Summary

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THEY are the glorious Few, the airmen whose extraordinary bravery saved Britain from Nazi invasion. Seventy years on, the heroes who repelled Hitler's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain are a dwindling band - it is thought only 79, all recorded on these pages, are still alive. Today a special anniversary service at Westminster Abbey will remember the efforts of all those who took part in the pivotal encounter, arguably the most important ever fought by this nation.

Many were in their late teens or early 20s when they took to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes from July to October 1940. Others flew in Blenheims, Beaufighters and Defiants. Some became the 'aces' of the Battle, shooting down plane after plane.

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70 Years On -- The Last of the Few ; in 1940 They Were Just Out of School, Their Planes and Their Courage All That Stood Between Britain and Nazi Domination ... [Scot Region]

During the Battle, Sir Winston Churchill said: 'The gratitude of every home in our island, in our empire, and indeed throughout the world, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion.

'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.' When it was over, 544 RAF pilots and aircrew were dead.

Here, The Mail on Sunday pays tribute to the last of the survivors ...

Squadron Leader Henry 'Butch' Baker. Age: early 90s

JUST one month before the Battle began, he had already seen fierce fighting over Dunkirk where he shot down one German aircraft and damaged another. After surviving a car accident, he joined 41 Squadron on September 15 - viewed by many as Battle of Britain Day - when 17 squadrons fought off a major attack. Flew Spitfires and helped destroy seven Messerschmitts in the Battle.

Squadron Leader Percy Beake DFC. Age 93

AFTER waiting patiently with 64 Squadron, his Spitfire was eventually scrambled - and he shot at a friendly bomber by mistake. 'The only shot I fired during the Battle itself was at a friendly aircraft. Thank God I didn't damage it.' He normally flew protecting convoys. After the war, he worked for an animal feed company. He and his wife, Evelyn, have two...

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