The Airmen's Stories - F/O P G Crofts

Peter Guerin Crofts was born in St George's Square, London on 2nd January 1918. He was educated in Sevenoaks and at Wellington College and entered the RAF College Cranwell in January 1937 as a Flight Cadet. He did not complete the course for some reason but was granted a short service commission in May 1938. He completed his flying training and joined the SHQ Staff at Gosport in September 1938.

In 1940 Crofts was with 150 Squadron, flying Fairey Battles, and he may have served in France when the squadron was with the AASF. Crofts volunteered for Fighter Command in August 1940. He was posted from 150 to 615 Squadron at Prestwick on 9th September. He moved to 605 Squadron at Croydon on the 13th.

He was shot down by Me109s over Ticehurst, Sussex on September. Crofts baled out but fell dead at Redpale Farm, a mile and a half from Dallington. He may have been machine-gunned as he floated down. His Hurricane, V6699, crashed in a paddock at Earls Down and exploded.

Crofts is buried in All Saints' churchyard, Tilford, Surrey. There is a memorial cross on the spot where he fell, a few yards from Red Pale.