Veteran D-Day pilot dies aged 102

The last surviving pilot to have taken part in a mission that began the allied invasion of Europe during World War Two has died aged 102.

Lt Col David Hamilton was based at RAF North Witham, in Twyford Wood, Lincolnshire, with the United States Army Air Forces.

On 5 June 1944, aged 21, he took part in his first combat mission, dropping elite paratroopers into German-occupied France to secure landing areas ahead of the main D-Day invasion.

Col Hamilton was awarded five Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. He retired in 1963, last serving in intelligence.

During the mission, he flew 50ft (about 15m) above the English Channel to avoid enemy radar and returned to RAF North Witham with more than 200 holes in his aircraft from anti-aircraft and small arms fire.

The pilot revisited the airbase 75 years later in 2019 when he was celebrated as the last surviving pilot from a pre-invasion Normandy mission.

South Kesteven district councillor Richard Dixon-Warren said: "Mr Hamilton embodied the spirit and sacrifice of the allies who joined Britain in the fight to liberate Europe. It was an honour to organise the visit.

"D-Day was under way as soon as those aircraft took off on a mission that helped to change the course of the war. We cannot overstate the importance of what they achieved."

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