Paul Farnes was the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot to achieve ‘ace’ status during the Battle.  He had joined 501 Squadron as a sergeant pilot in September 1939 flying the Hurricane.  The squadron was sent to France and, after the German blitzkrieg on 10 May 1940, he was in constant action and claimed one enemy aircraft destroyed and shared in the destruction of two others.  During the Battle he claimed six more enemy aircraft and in October was awarded an immediate DFM.  After a period instructing fighter pilots he left for the Middle East and later commanded 229 Squadron in Malta.  He served in Iraq  until early 1945 before flying Spitfires and Mustangs.  He remained in the RAF as a flying instructor, served in Egypt and served at Fighter Command before leaving the service in 1958.  He was an ardent supporter of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and attended the annual reunions at Capel le Ferne until the summer before his death.

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