Operation: Patrol, England

Date: 7th September 1940 (Saturday)

Unit No: 234 Squadron, 10 Group, Fighter Command

Type: Spitfire I 'Dodger II'

Serial: X4009

Coded: AZ:Q

Base: RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire

Location: Bessels Green, Kent.

Pilot: Flt Lt. Paterson Clarence Hughes DFC, 39461 RAF Age 23. KiA

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off on an interception scramble at 17:35 hrs with 11 others to attack enemy fighters and bombers flying at 20,000 ft. between London and Brighton. The squadron claimed 3 x Me109's, 1 x Heinkel 111 and 1 x Do.17 destroyed with 1 x Me109 probably destroyed, 1 x Me109 damaged.

When Flt Lt. Hughes attacked a Do17 his aircraft apparently collided with it. The Spitfire was seen to lose a wing and Flt Lt. Hughes baled but his parachute did not deploy. His Spitfire crashed at Darks Farm, Bessels Green, Kent. A cowling from the Do17 was later found to have an unfired .303 round lodged in it, confirming the collision.

There is much speculation around how this happened. Flt Lt. Hughes had been virtually carrying the Squadron single-handed for many weeks and was no doubt weary. In twenty-four (24) days of intense combat he had accounted for fifteen (15) enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of others. He liked to get in very close to his target and it is possible on this occasion he misjudged his attack and collided with the Do17.

His death was just one month after his marriage and his wife Kay never got over his loss. She asked that she be buried with him at Sutton-on-Hull, hence the dual inscriptions on his grave stone.

Flt Lt. Hughes was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 22nd October 1940.

Citation: “Acting Flight Lieutenant Paterson Clarence HUGHES (39461) (since killed). This officer has led his flight with skill and determination. He has displayed gallantry in his attacks on the enemy and has destroyed seven of their aircraft”.

Recovery of Spitfire I X4009 National Archives Kew Air-27-1439-9/10.

Sqn Ldr. Joseph Somerton O'Brien 34171 RAF flying Spitfire I P9466 was shot down over Biggin Hill and killed. He was also classed as an 'ace' with 5 confirmed enemy aircraft.

The remainder of the squadron returned safely to base by 19:15 hrs.

Sqn Ldr. Joseph Somerton O'Brien DFC, MiD. St. Mary Cray Cemetery, Plot E. Division 3. Grave 131. Born on the 9th April 1912 in Calcutta, India. Son Major Wulstan Hubert O'Brien (killed 7th February 1917, age 33), and Edith Muriel (née Somerton - died in 1971) O'Brien. Husband of Marguerite Josephine (married 9th July 1938, née O'Reilly - died 15th December 1996) of Herne Bay, Kent, England.

Burial Details:

Grave photograph kindly supplied by Anthony Gilroy - August 2018

Flt Lt. Paterson Clarence Hughes DFC. He was buried at Sutton-On-Hull Churchyard, (St. James), Yorkshire. Row G. Grave 4 on the 13th September 1940. Grave inscription: "AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS WIFE KATHLEEN WHO DIED 28TH JUNE 1983 AGED 66". Born on the 19th September 1917 in Numeralla, New South Wales, Australia. Son of Paterson Clarence and Caroline Christina (née Vennell) Hughes. Husband of Kathleen Agnes (née Brodrick) 'Kay' Hughes of Hull, England.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the two pilots and their families. Thanks to Peter Roberts for providing new detail on the loss of Flt Lt. Hughes (Mar 2025). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Mar 2025)

Other sources listed below:

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