The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J J Brimble

John Joseph Brimble, from Knowle, Bristol, joined the RAFVR in May 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called to full-time service on 1st September 1939 and posted, after training, to No 4 Ferry Pilot Pool on 16th May 1940. He was then posted to 73 Squadron in France on 31st May.

Still serving with 73, Brimble was shot down in combat over Tonbridge on 4 September 1940. His Hurricane P2542 came down at Parkhouse Farm, Chart Sutton near Maidstone but his body was not recovered and he was commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

The crash site was excavated on 14th September 1980 and his remains were found, still in the cockpit. He was buried with full military honours at Brookwood on 16th October 1980.