The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G Hill

Geoffrey Hill was born on 16th July 1916 in Virginia Water.

He was awarded Aero certificate 14987 at Yapton Aero Club on 13th June 1937, his occupation recorded as Hotelier.

Hill joined the RAFVR in late 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called to full-time service on 1st September 1939.

He was posted to 3 ITW Hastings in October, went to 11 EFTS for his elementary flying training and then to 6 FTS Little Rissington to complete it.

On 13th July 1940 Hill joined 65 Squadron at Hornchurch, direct from 6 FTS. He was attached to 7 OTU Hawarden on 15th July and after converting to Spitfires he rejoined 65 on 9th August.

He flew his first operational sortie on the 19th and served with the squadron through the remainder of the Battle of Britain.

Commissioned in November 1940, Hill was shot down over St. Omer on 5th February 1941 in Spitfire IIa P7665 and taken prisoner.

He was held at various times in Stalags Luft I, II and III and finished up in Colditz.

Freed in May 1945, he was released from the RAF later in the year as a Flight Lieutenant. Hill was made an MBE for distinguished service whilst a PoW.

Postwar he set up an antiques business that became a leader in the field of antique furniture.

Hill died in November 1997.