Battle of Britain London Monument – Sgt. R J K Gent THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN LONDON MONUMENT
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conflict was so much owed
by so many to so few."
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Privacy Statement The Airmen’s Stories – Sgt. R J Gent
Raymond John Mitchell Gent, of Midhurst, joined the RAFVR in June 1939. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his flying training at 5 FTS Sealand and was posted direct to 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 27th July 1940.
Gent arrived there with two other newly-trained pilots, Sergeants TG Pickering and SAH Whitehouse. The CO, S/Ldr. J Worrall, would have none of this and after the new arrivals had made a few short flights they were sent to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 3rd August. Having converted to Hurricanes, they rejoined 32 on the 25th.
Two days later the squadron was ordered to Acklington for a rest. Worrall said that Gent, Pickering and Whitehouse were not in need of a rest and they were posted to 501 Squadron at Gravesend on the 28th.
Gent claimed a Me109 destroyed on 25th October. Whilst ferrying a new squadron Magister, V1028, from Kemble to Filton on 12th January 1941, Gent crashed at Greenore, Wells after hitting some trees in low cloud and was killed.
He was 24 and is buried in St Martin’s churchyard, Ashurst, Kent.
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