Percy Morfill facts for kids

Percy Frederick Morfill (11 December 1914 – April 2004) was a brave British pilot, known as a 'flying ace', who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with shooting down at least six enemy aircraft.

Born in Gosport, Percy Morfill joined the RAF in 1933. He started as a metal rigger, helping to build and repair aircraft. Three years later, he decided to become a pilot. After finishing his flight training, he joined No. 65 Squadron.

Soon after the Second World War began, he moved to No. 501 Squadron. He flew in important battles like the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. During these times, he destroyed several enemy planes. In 1942, he became an officer. He spent most of the rest of the war teaching other pilots in the United Kingdom and Southern Rhodesia.

Percy Morfill stayed in the RAF after the war. He continued to work as an instructor and in other important roles. He left the RAF in 1958. After that, he worked in the car industry until he retired in 1977. Percy Morfill passed away in April 2004, at the age of 89.

Early Life and Joining the RAF

Percy Frederick Morfill was born in Gosport, Hampshire, on 11 December 1914. His father ran a pub. Percy went to school in Salisbury, at Bishop Wordsworth's School. He took an exam to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an aircraft apprentice. He did very well, getting the highest score for anyone from Wiltshire.

He officially joined the RAF on 3 September 1930. After three years of training, he became a skilled metal rigger. This meant he was good at building and fixing metal parts of aircraft.

After some time working with the Fleet Air Arm at the RAF base in Gosport, Percy decided he wanted to fly. He volunteered for pilot training and was accepted. In early 1936, he started his flight lessons at Hamble. Then, in March, he moved to No. 6 Flying Training School at Netheravon Airfield.

He earned his pilot's 'wings' and became a sergeant. At the start of 1937, he joined No. 65 Squadron. His squadron flew Gloster Gauntlet fighter planes. Percy quickly became part of their aerobatics team, flying amazing stunts. Another famous pilot, Robert Stanford Tuck, was also on this team.

Fighting in World War II

When the Second World War started, Percy's squadron, No. 65 Squadron, was flying Supermarine Spitfire fighters from RAF Northolt. They began flying missions on 5 September 1939. Percy's time with this squadron was short. In early 1940, he was moved to No. 501 Squadron.

Battle of France Missions

Pilots of No. 501 Squadron getting ready for a flight from their base in France.

Percy's new squadron was based at RAF Tangmere and flew Hawker Hurricane fighters. When Germany invaded nearby countries on 10 May, his squadron moved to France. They faced many dangers.

On 11 May, Percy, who was now a flight sergeant, shot down a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter plane near Tourteron. The very next day, he destroyed a Heinkel He 111 bomber. Percy flew many missions during the retreat of British soldiers from Dunkirk.

As the Germans advanced, the squadron had to move to Dinard and then to St Helier on Jersey in the Channel Islands. From Jersey, they helped protect British soldiers being evacuated from Cherbourg. By 21 June, the squadron was back in the United Kingdom.

However, Percy had to stay behind in St Helier. His Hurricane plane had a problem and couldn't fly. To stop the Germans from getting it, his plane was destroyed. Percy and other British soldiers were then evacuated safely by a fishing boat.

Defending Britain: The Battle of Britain

No. 501 Squadron was now based at RAF Gravesend in Kent. They were part of No. 11 Group and were very busy during the Battle of Britain. Percy often flew three or four missions every day in August and September.

On 29 July, he destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter and damaged two Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers near Dover. On 12 August, he shot down a Bf 110 over The Downs. During a big air battle over Kent on 18 August, his Hurricane was damaged, and he had to parachute out.

He damaged another Bf 109 on 24 August. On 30 August, he destroyed a Heinkel He 111 near Dungeness. He also damaged a Dornier Do 17 bomber on 2 September. On 11 September, he was one of six pilots who shared credit for destroying a Do 17 over the Thames Estuary. His last victory was a Do 17 shot down near Ramsgate four days later.

Percy Morfill was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for his bravery. This award was announced in October. The official statement said he showed great skill and calmness in fighting the enemy. It noted his excellent attacking skills helped him destroy at least seven enemy aircraft.

After the Battle of Britain, the fighting became less intense for the squadron. No. 501 Squadron was one of the busiest units. They claimed to have destroyed 149 German aircraft, including those shot down in France. By this time, Percy was credited with six solo victories and one shared victory. He had flown 215 missions between June and October. The squadron moved to Filton for a rest. In early 1941, he was mentioned in official reports for his good service.

Later War Service as an Instructor

In June 1941, Percy Morfill was sent to No. 58 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Grangemouth. He then trained to become an instructor at the Central Flying School (CFS). After that, he returned to No. 58 OTU. By the end of the year, he was back at the CFS, teaching other pilots.

He was mentioned in official reports again on 1 January 1942. Later that month, he became a pilot officer, which is an officer rank. He then taught at the Flight Instructor's School. He was promoted to flying officer on 1 October 1942.

In 1944, Percy, now a flight lieutenant, was sent to a flying school in Norton, Southern Rhodesia. He spent the rest of the war there, teaching new pilots how to fly.

Life After the War

Percy Morfill stayed in the RAF after the war ended. He returned to the United Kingdom and worked at the Air Ministry. He then helped with the development of bomber planes. In July 1947, he was given an extended commission. He went back to the CFS and later became the chief flying instructor at the University Air Squadron at St Andrews University in Scotland.

In 1953, he was promoted to squadron leader. At this time, he was working at the headquarters of No. 63 Group. He left the RAF in early 1958. For the two years before that, he was the commander of the Station Flight at Tangmere.

After leaving the RAF, Percy Morfill worked in the car industry for a company called Wingards, which made car accessories. He retired in 1977. In his later years, he lived in Chichester, West Sussex. He passed away there on 3 April 2004, at the age of 89. His remains were cremated and placed in the Tangmere Museum Memorial Garden.