The unmistakable engine tone of a Spitfire could be heard echoing over Mullion yesterday for a flypast in memory of Geoffrey Wellum.
A funeral was held in the village for the country's youngest ever Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot following his death at home in Mullion last month, at the age of 96.
It was exactly 79 years ago that Squadron Leader Wellum signed up on a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force, in August 1939.
The Spitfire leaves RNAS Culdrose. Photo: Bob Sharples
Known as 'Boy' to his fellow Battle of Britain pilots because of his young age, the first aircraft he flew was the Tiger Moth at Desford airfield in Leicestershire; after successfully completing the course he then went on to fly the North American Harvard at RAF Little Rissington with 6FTS.
He was then posted directly in May 1940 to 92 Squadron, flying Spitfires.
He saw extensive action during the Battle of Britain. His first commanding officer was Roger Bushell, (later immortalised in The Great Escape), and his close colleagues included Brian Kingcome.
He claimed a Heinkel He 111 shot down on 11 September, and a quarter share in a Junkers Ju 88 downed on 27 September 1940. Two (and one shared) Messerschmitt Bf 109s were claimed 'damaged' during November 1940. A Bf 109 was claimed shot down on 9 July 1941 over France.In February 1942 he was transferred to 65 Squadron based at Debden, being appointed a Flight Commander in March 1942.
On August 11, 1942, Mr Wellum led eight Spitfires launched from the carrier HMS Furious to reinforce the fighter complement at Luqa airfield on Malta. Here he joined 145 Squadron on air defence duties.
He suffered severe sinusitis and battle fatigue after three years' intensive frontline flying. He returned from Malta to Britain, becoming a test pilot on the Hawker Typhoon, based at Gloster Aircraft.
He finished the war as a gunnery instructor, staying in the RAF, first as a staff officer in West Germany, followed by a four-year tour with 192 Squadron.
Mr Wellum went on to marry Grace, his wartime girlfriend, and they had three children. He left the Royal Air Force in 1961, working with a firm of commodity brokers in the City of London, set up his own business and then took over the family business before retiring to Mullion.
In his later years he was heavily involved in community life, often being invited to attend event openings and go into schools to tell pupils about his experiences during World War Two.
His wartime service as one of ‘The Few’ only came into prominence this century when his memoirs, First Light, became a bestseller – and were turned into a 90-minute film by the BBC.
In recognition of his place in history, The Memorial Flight dispatched Spitfire IX MK356 – painted in Western Desert livery – to fly past in tribute over his funeral in Mullion.
RNAS Culdrose hosted the vintage fighter overnight and topped up its fuel tanks.
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