The Airmen's Stories - F/O L R G Mitchell

Lancelot Robert George Mitchell was born in 1916, the son of Robert George Mitchell and Elizabeth Sinclair Mitchell (nee Symon) of Keith, Banffshire.

He was was commissioned in Class A of the RAFO in August 1937, he was employed in the Keith branch of the Commercial Bank at the time.

He relinquished this on being granted an RAF short service commission in July 1938.

He had already carried out his flying training at 8 FTS Montrose and he joined 85 Squadron at Debden on 27th July 1938.

Mitchell was posted to 611 Squadron at Duxford on 5th September 1939 and he moved to 257 Squadron when it was reformed at Hendon on 17th May 1940.

He shared in the destruction of a Do17 on 19th July and was appointed 'B' Flight Commander on 8th August. He claimed a Me110 destroyed on 31st August.

Mitchell was shot down in an action over the Thames Estuary on 7th September in Hurricane V7254. He was believed to have crashed into the sea and was reported 'Missing'.

He was 24 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 6.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.