The Airmen's Stories - P/O E E Males

Ernest Edward Males, of Southgate, London, was born on 26th August 1920, the son of Charles Arthur and Rose Edith Males.

He joined the RAFVR about January 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939 he completed his training, was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and posted to 72 Squadron at Acklington on 19th June 1940.

He claimed a Me109 destroyed on 2nd September. Two days later Males baled out of Spitfire R6971, when it was set alight during combat with Me110s. It crashed on Culvers Farm, Hartfield.

Males shared in the destruction of a Do215 on 10th September but was hit by return fire and then his Spitfire, K9841, was further damaged when his undercarriage collapsed in a forced-landing at Little Hitchings Farm, Etchingham. Males claimed a Me109 destroyed on 14th September.

He was shot down and killed in combat with Me109s over Sevenoaks on the 27th. His Spitfire, X4340, crashed at Shadwell Dock, Stepney, London.

He was 20 years old and is buried in Great Northern London Cemetery.