Geoffrey Wellum | |
---|---|
Birth name | Geoffrey Harry Augustus Wellum |
Born | Walthamstow, Essex, England | 4 August 1921
Died | 18 July 2018 Mullion, Cornwall, England | (aged 96)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1939–1961, |
Rank | Squadron Leader |
Service number | 42925 |
Battles/wars | Battle of Britain |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Harris Augustus Wellum DFC (4 August 1921—18 July 2018)[1] was a British Battle of Britain fighter pilot and author.
Wellum 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. He married Grace, his wartime girlfriend, and they had three children.[2]