Still fire in the Spitfire pilot at 92

Kyt · Oct 10, 2008

Wonderful story

Still fire in the Spitfire pilot at 92 - Buckinghamshire Advertiser

A pilot who flew Spitfires during the Second World War was taken up and away again in order to celebrate his 92nd birthday.

Bill Sanders, who now lives in a care home in Bromley, was flown by helicopter from Denham Aerodrome to the RAF Museum in London.

He and his wife Mabel, 96, were flown by pilot Dave Vasey from the aerodrome in Tilehouse Way, to view Spitfires at the museum like the ones he used to fly in daylight raids over Europe.

Before he took off, Bill said: "This is such a dream come true, I really can't believe it. It will be good to be up in the skies again and to see the beautiful Spitfires on display at the museum. It really will be the trip of a lifetime."

During the 1940s, Bill was a Flight Lieutenant in the 609 Squadron stationed at Biggin Hill, Kent and later RAF Duxford.

He flew with Polish, Czech and Commonwealth pilots, as well as escorting the first American bombers in raids over Europe throughout the war.

In 1941, he was escorting bombers to Lille and ran out of fuel on the return flight, crashing his Spitfire into a concrete gun turret.

He sustained horrific injuries, writing off the Spitfire completely, but recovered to fly again the following year.

Maggie Candy, Bill's nurse at his caring home, said: "Bill's stories are fascinating and give a wonderful insight into the days gone by and an opportunity to celebrate his fantastic achievements."
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liverpool annie · Oct 10, 2008

Kyt said: ↑

Wonderful story

Still fire in the Spitfire pilot at 92 - Buckinghamshire Advertiser
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Nursing Homes get such a bad rap these days ... it's lovely to know that they were caring enough to give Bill and his wife a memory of a lifetime !

How wonderful ! :clapping:

Long Term Care,Care Homes,Nursing Home

Kyt · Oct 10, 2008

From Annie's link

Bill flew with many Polish, Czech and Commonwealth pilots with the 609 and 19 squadrons, and escorted the first American bombers on the daylight raids over Europe in 1939
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Spot the mistake

Kyt · Oct 10, 2008

I believe this is him:

William Saunders 42955

Antipodean Andy · Oct 12, 2008

Good to see him up and about still. Hope he goes to Duxford next!

LOL, re the mistake. Quick, revise everything! :>

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Still fire in the Spitfire pilot at 92

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