The Airmen's Stories - P/O G N Gaunt

Geoffrey Norman Gaunt was born in early 1916 in Blackpool, the son of Norman Henry Gaunt and Lilian Jaggar.

He was educated at Leys School in Cambridge before being employed by Jackson and Taylor, cigar manufacturers in Huddersfield.

Gaunt may have served with 609 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force before the war and received some flying training. He was commissioned into the Auxiliary Air Force in April 1940, completed his training at FTS Cranwell in June/July and then went to 7 OTU Hawarden.

After converting to Spitfires there, Gaunt rejoined 609 Squadron at Warmwell on 16th August 1940.

Above: F/O DM Crook (left) and Gaunt

He shared in the destruction of a Me110 on the 25th with P/O N Agazarian.

Gaunt was killed on 15th September 1940 when he was shot down during an attack on German bombers over London. His Spitfire, R6690, crashed and burned out near Kenley.

Gaunt was 24 years old. He is buried in Salendine Nook Baptist Chapel, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.