This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/sussex/8567459.stm
The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 21 | Version 22 |
|---|---|
| Funeral held for WWII flying ace | Funeral held for WWII flying ace |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The funeral of a Battle of Britain fighter ace has taken place in East Sussex. | The funeral of a Battle of Britain fighter ace has taken place in East Sussex. |
| Wing Commander Bob Doe, of Crowborough, is credited with destroying at least 14 enemy aircraft while serving with the RAF. | Wing Commander Bob Doe, of Crowborough, is credited with destroying at least 14 enemy aircraft while serving with the RAF. |
| The 89-year-old died in hospital of pneumonia on 21 February. | The 89-year-old died in hospital of pneumonia on 21 February. |
| Surrey-born Wing Cdr Doe was a Spitfire pilot during the battle. A bugler played the Last Post during the service at All Saints Church, Crowborough. | Surrey-born Wing Cdr Doe was a Spitfire pilot during the battle. A bugler played the Last Post during the service at All Saints Church, Crowborough. |
| Wing Cdr Doe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his heroics in the sky and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his inspirational leadership. | Wing Cdr Doe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his heroics in the sky and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his inspirational leadership. |
| 'Churchill's few' | |
| He was shot down in 1940 and a year later suffered facial injuries and a broken arm when his plane crashed. | He was shot down in 1940 and a year later suffered facial injuries and a broken arm when his plane crashed. |
| Wing Cdr Bob Doe with his aircraft during World War II | |
| After he retired from the RAF he worked at a family-owned garage business in Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. | After he retired from the RAF he worked at a family-owned garage business in Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. |
| Aviation expert Robin Brooks said: "Bob Doe was one of Churchill's few. | |
| "He was a special breed of pilot, of young men who clambered into an aircraft - a Hurricane or a Spitfire - and went to war. | |
| "We must always remember those guys because they fought for us in this country against oppression and tyranny." |