The Airmen's Stories - F/O A P Lines

Arthur Peter Lines was born on 11th February 1919 in Hitchin and joined the RAF on a short service commission. His initial training began at 7 E&RFTS Desford on 15th March 1937. He did his intermediate and advanced training at 2 FTS Digby and later at Brize Norton.

His first posting was to 17 Squadron at Kenley on 8th January 1938. He was still with the squadron on 1st September 1939.

Lines destroyed a Ju87 north of Brussels on 17th May 1940. He was then shot down by Me109s, baled out and was shot at by French troops on the way down but not hit. He rejoined his squadron at Hawkinge.

Lines went to 10 MU at Hullavington on 6th June 1940, probably on a temporary attachment. Six Hurricanes were flown from there on 17th June en route for the Middle East but they ended up in Malta. Lines was probably one of the ferry pilots. He rejoined 17 Squadron, then at Debden, on 3rd July and then went on a weeks leave.

Lines was posted away on 19th August to 48 Squadron Coastal Command and joined it on the 23rd at Hooton Park.

He made his first sortie with the squadron on 26th August and remained with it until 19th October 1940 when he went to CFS Upavon for an instructors course. He later instructed at Sywell, Theale and Panshanger.

He was released from the RAF in 1953 as a Flight Lieutenant.

Lines died in September 2006.