“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill

Pictured below are Richard Hugh Anthony Lee and Albert Gerald Lewis during the Battle of Britain.

Richard joined RAF Cranwell as a Flight Cadet in September 1935 and graduated in July 1937. Lee was posted to Debden on 1 June 1938 to join No.85 Squadron at its reformation.

According to the Battle of Britain Museum: “He destroyed a He111 over Boulogne on 21st November 1939, 85 Squadron’s first victory.”

“Lee was awarded the DFC (gazetted 8th March 1940). On 10th May 1940 he claimed a Hs126 destroyed, shared a Ju86 and damaged a Ju88. On the 11th, after shooting down two enemy aircraft, he was himself shot down by flak in Hurricane N2388 but obtained civilian clothes and evaded capture, eventually making his way back to his squadron.”

“On 22nd May 85 Squadron withdrew to Debden. Flying with 56 Squadron over Dunkirk on the 27th, Lee was shot down into the sea in Hurricane P 3311 and was picked up after an hour in the water. Richard was awarded the DSO (gazetted 31st May 1940) He was presented with the DFC and DSO by the King.

According to the Battle of Britain Museum: “Flying with 56 Squadron over Dunkirk on the 27th, Lee was shot down into the sea in Hurricane P 3311 and was picked up after an hour in the water.”

“Back with 85 Squadron in August 1940, Lee was last seen in pursuit of an enemy formation thirty miles off the east coast on the 18th. Lee was not heard of again and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 6. He was 23 years old. At the time of his death Lee was an Acting Flight Lieutenant. He is believed to have destroyed at least nine enemy aircraft.” – Battle of Britain Museum Archive

Squadron Leader Albert Gerald Lewis survived the war and attended the Rural Agricultural College. He would return to South Africa and then to the United States to further his education. After returning to the United Kingdom in 1957 Albert became a farmer until his passing on 14 December 1982 at the age of 64 years old. Lest We Forget.

Original description and photo sourced by the Battle of Britain Museum, IWM and William Vandivert photographer/ The LIFE Picture Collection