211942 Francis John "Mitch" Mitchell Royal Air Firce 103 Sqd. My father Francis Mitchell flew from Benson in a Hawker Hind (I think) on Sept 2nd 1939. He was then based near Reims. My mother cycled from Abingdon where she lived as she could see the aircraft gathering but was too late to see him go. This was her birthday. Some kind guard told her the plane overhead that waggled its wings at her was her fiancé but when very ill in the year 2000, he told us that it had not been him.
From there at some stage he decided to train as a pilot and travelled out to Canada on the Queen Mary where he enjoyed the flying, canoeing and horse riding. On his return to the UK he joined 550 squadron and served 2 tours. In one of his squadrons Bob Nicholson was part of his crew. He was a quiet rather shy man with an engaging smile and real warmth and kindness. If anyone has any information about his wartime years all his family would love to hear more.
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