Operation: Patrol

Date: 11th September 1940 (Wednesday)

Unit: 1 Squadron RCAF (11 Group)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P3534

Code: None until 1941

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: Thames Estuary

Pilot: F/O. Thomas Burgess Little C/1117 RCAF Age 23. Baled out - injured

We are extremely grateful to François Dutil (438 Squadron Archivist) for supplying photographs and information to Aircrew Remembered in October 2017. All photographs shown within this page are available to relatives at a higher resolution (as are most of those named within this page) - courtesy of François.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On patrol in the mid afternoon to be ready for the huge Luftwaffe bomber formations escorted by over 200 Bf109’s that were reported to be approaching the Thames Estuary.

A massive air battle took place over that area with the RAF suffering huge casualties losing nearly 30 aircraft with 17 pilots killed and a further 6 wounded.

During one such battle F/O. Little engaged a He111, wounded during the combat and aircraft severely damage he baled out at 16:12 hrs, landing at Rotherfield where he was then taken to the Kent and Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells for treatment to burns and a leg wound. The Hurricane crashed at Mayfield.

He recovered and rejoined his squadron at a later date. During an escort of bombers in the early morning of the 27th August 1941 then a Fl/Lt with the newly numbered 402 Squadron, it is reported that his Hurricane IIb Z5001 collided with Spitfire Vb W3723 of 222 Squadron. That pilot 27 year old, Fl/Lt. John Claverly Martin 40313 RAF and Fl/Lt. Little were posted as missing - believed killed over the English Channel.

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Thomas Burgess Little. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 59. Born on Sunday, the 09th September 1917 in Montreal, Canada, the son of Thomas B. and Katherine Little, of 2 Redpath Row, Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada

Other:

Fl/Lt. John Claverly Martin. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 29. Born on Wednesday, the 06th May 1914, the son of George Claverly Martin and of Ellen Martin (née Matheson), of Spreydon, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand and husband of Edna Martin, of Forest Hill, London, England. A very experienced pilot with 1,069 flying hours logged and on his 131st operation.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Francois Dutil, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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