Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

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Kevin Farnell
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Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Kevin Farnell »

Deeply saddened to read that Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 96.
Reportedly, he was the youngest Spitfire pilot to fly in the Battle of Britain aged just 18.
In recent years, his face had become quite familiar from the many documentaries in which he was interviewed.
Infact, I'm sure it was he who explained that he set the trim on his Spitfire so that it didn't fly quite straight. Not enough to make it unstable, but enough that it wasn't going into the space that a pursuing fighters guns would be aiming.
We are foreverer indebted to yourself and the others of 'The Few'.

Blue Skies, Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum!

Kevin
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Paul K
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Paul K »

I've just read this sad news on the BBC website. Knowing the day must come doesn't make it any easier.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-44895703

No doubt many of us have read his book 'First Light'. I thoroughly recommend it to those who haven't.

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Rest in Peace, Squadron Leader Wellum. You are now back with those lost friends that you mourned.

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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Airspeed »

Always sad to hear of another hero dying.
R.I.P. Squadron Leader.
You did what many others could not.

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DaveG
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by DaveG »

Sad news. A familiar face in many documentaries over the years. A true hero.
Rest in peace Geoffrey.
Dave G.

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Nigel H-J
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Nigel H-J »

Really sad to hear of this on the news, his book 'First Light' is one of the best and honest accounts that brought the reader to being with him on his journey from interview to join the RAF right through training and joining 92 Sqdn to the time when stationed in Malta he was sent home to rest.

Hopefully, if there is an after life then Peter who trained with Geoffrey and were good friends but was sadly shot down and killed, will welcome him into the new world of blue skies along with all of 92 Sqdn.

Thanks for helping us to keep our freedom and rest in peace.

Regards
Nigel.
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simondix
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by simondix »

Yes a brave man or in his case a brave boy
Simon

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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Swanoir »

Sad indeed but what a life, great respects.

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Tomliner
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by Tomliner »

So sad to read of his passing. I can't really add anything to other tributes on here but I can say that I've read 'First Light' twice and agree that it is one of the best WW2 memoirs written. May you rest in peace sir.EricT
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Re: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum RIP

Post by nigelb »

R.I.P Geoffrey, one of the few to whom we owe so much! Blue skies forever for you!

Nigel²

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