Spitfire Found in Council Basement

Fylde Borough Council • Spitfire Found in Council Basement

* Missing presumed shot down by Fw190 while escorting Bostons to Morlaix

Name: RIDINGS, ALAN LEVER
Initials: A L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 19 Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 23/06/1942
Service No: 1058734
Additional information: Son of William Pilkington Ridings and Edith Annie Ridings, of Middleton, Lancashire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 92.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

very interesting. would like to know more about the squadron of spitfires bought by my home town's MP (Garfield Weston, a Canadian Industrialist) in 1940. he then replaced them all after they were destroyed in France.

Anyone know how to track down these kind of donations, as well as the Wings for Victories/Salute the Sailor/Soldier weeks?

 

Very interesting story, thanks for sharing!

 

Destroyed in France? No Spitfires were based in France before Dunkirk though of course they were in action over it. Maybe it was a squadron which suffered an almost 100% loss rate during the Battle of France and BoB

 

sorry yes you are right. i have that much WW2 local history in my head i get it all mixed up. am currently concentrating on a destroyer so the RAF is a bit hazy.

 

That was my first thought as well. Kitty will clear it up eventually - sounds intriguing Kitty!