Battle of Britain hero to be remembered at RAF Marham service today

Battle of Britain veteran Tony Whitehouse. Collect picture of him as a pilot in the RAF (second head from the top of the picture)

Wing Commander Tony Whitehouse Wing Commander Tony Whitehouse was 95 when he died peacefully in his sleep on January 6 and a service at the Royal Air Force Chapel at RAF Maraham will remember the brave man who was just 20-years-old when he took part in the famous campaign.

A member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve at Oxford University, Mr Whitehouse was called to full service on September 1, 1939 when after very little training - he was sent to do 10-12 hours training in Hurricanes - he was posted to 501 Squadron at Gravesend.

Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press in 2005 Mr Whitehouse said: 'Mostly the people that got shot down were newcomers. Once you had a few weeks experience you were far safer.'

The veteran was one of nearly 3,000 men involved in the battle - which took place between July 10 and October 31 1940 - and was shot down in October when the engine of his Hurricane cut out during a dogfight.

Battle of Britain veteran Tony Whitehouse in 2005.

Bailing out of the plane, the serviceman was found by two Home Guards and taken to a nearby farm for tea.

Becky Brazier, legacy and In Memoriam Fundraiser at the RAF Benevolent Fund - which support RAF veterans and to which donations at Mr Whitehouse's memorial will be made - said: 'Wing Commander Whitehouse and his fellow Battle of Britain pilots bravely flew during some of the most harrowing days of the war; everything was on the line for Britain. As a nation, we are forever in debt to 'the Few'.'

After serving in India and Burma Mr Whitehouse retired from the RAF in 1946 as a Wing Commander.

• What are your memories of the Battle of Britain? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk