The Airmen's Stories - F/O R P Plummer

Richard Pryer Plummer was born on 2nd August 1912 at Haywards Heath, the son of George Plummer and Beatrice Ellen Plummer.

He was educated at Hill Crest Preparatory School and Cranleigh School.

Plummer was employed in insurance in London until 1934 when he was appointed Assistant Surveyor to Cuckfield Urban District Council.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1937, was posted to 5 FTS Sealand on August 3rd and joined 46 Squadron at Digby on February 19th 1938.

Above: at some time Plummer was presented to the King.

Plummer was shot down in combat with enemy fighters on 4th September 1940 in Hurricane P3052. He baled out, landing at Stambridge, but with extensive burns to both legs, hands and face and was admitted to Rochford Hospital.

His Hurricane P3052 crashed and burned out on the railway line at Rectory Road, Hawkwell.

After Rochford Hospital was bombed Plummer was transferred to Bradford Hospital, Yorkshire but he died there on September 14th.

He is buried in Western Road Cemetery, Haywards Heath.