The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P R Eyles

Peter Raoul Eyles, of Basingstoke, was born in the fourth quarter of 1916 in Cardiff, the son of Ralph Sidney and Grace Elizabeth Eyles.

He attended Truro Secondary School and after leaving he joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in September 1932.

He passed out in August 1935. He later applied for pilot training and was selected.

Eyles completed his training at 11 FTS Shawbury and he joined 92 Squadron at Tangmere on 23rd October 1939.

Over Dunkirk on 2nd June 1940 Eyles damaged a He111. He claimed a He111 destroyed on 11th September.

He was shot down on the 20th by Major Molders of JG51. His Spitfire, N3248, went into the Channel off Dungeness and Eyles was reported 'Missing'.

He was 24 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 14.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner