Neville Duke
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* 11th January 1922 + 7th April 2007 RAF fighter pilot, in April 1941 he was assigned to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill equiped with Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vs. In October 1941, Duke was posted to North Africa to fly with 112 Squadron on the Curtiss Tomahawk. Duke was shot down on 30 November 1941, by the high scoring German ace Oberstabsfeldwebel Otto Schulz of JG 27. By February 1942 Duke had at least eight victories, resulting in the award of the DFC in March. In November 1942, he rejoined 92 Squadron, which has been transferred to North Africa and became flight commander in February 1943 and received a DSO in March. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he flew a Hawker Hunter F Mk3 at 727.63 mph over Littlehampton in the UK. |
| Squadron Leader Duke was the top Allied flying ace in the Mediterranean Theatre, having shot down at least 27 enemy aircraft. |