Spitfire ace who was one of the last of ‘The Few’ who fought in the Battle of Britain dies aged 99
He leaves 17 other surviving pilots behind as he died within weeks of his wife of 75 years
ONE of the last Battle of Britain spitfire pilots has passed away aged 99.
Squadron leader Percy Beake was part of 'The Few' who fought for supremacy of the skies ahead of imminent attacks by Hitler in the Second World War.
The Canadian-born Spitfire pilot took part in missions involving dive-bombing rocket sites in northern France and targeting enemy ships in the English Channel.
He also backed advancing allied troops in August 1944 which led the German army's full retreat and the end of the war the following year.
The great-grandfather from Combe Down, Somerset, passed away last month, just a few weeks after his wife of 75 years, Evelyn.
He is survived by only around 17 of 'The Few'.
Mr Beake grew up near Bristol before his service call up at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
He became an instructor in 1944 and flew his own Hawker Tempest aircraft with his initials PH-B on the side, before he was released from the RAF on January 21 1946.
Mr Beake went on to work for Unilever in the milling business where he was based in Avonmouth and London before moving to Exeter.
He spent his retired years with his wife in Ottery St Mary, Devon, before moving to Bath in 2008.
Mr Beake was awarded the Legion D'Honneur for his services - France's highest level military medal - last year.
He leaves behind two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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