Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC, AFC

Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC*, AFC, one of the last of the Few and a regular visitor to the Battle of Britain Memorial in recent years, has died.

Wg Cdr Neil, who died on Wednesday evening (11 July), just three days before his 98th birthday, flew Hurricanes with No 249 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain.
A pre-war member of the RAFVR, he is credited with having destroyed more than 17 enemy aircraft, most of them during the Battle. He went on to see further action in Malta, where he commanded No 41 Squadron.

Wg Cdr Neil returned to the UK to fly Spitfires over the Channel and elsewhere during 1943. Attached to the American 9th Air Force in 1944, he took part in the invasion of Normandy and remained with the USAAF until the Allies reached the German border. He later saw action in Burma.
After the war, Wing Cdr Neil spent four years as a service test pilot. He has flown more than 100 types of aircraft.

Wg Cdr Neil leaves three married sons, Terence, Patrick and Ian. His wife Eileen died in 2014.

A private cremation is expected to be followed by a later memorial service for Wing Cdr Neil and his late wife.

Battle of Britain Memorial