The Airmen's Stories - P/O J R G Sutton

James Roland Gabert Sutton of Combe Martin in Devon was born on 3rd November 1919, the son of Joseph Sutton and Beatrice Emily Jessie Sutton.

He joined 611 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force in early 1939 and was commissioned in March. He was called to full-time service on 24th August and, after completing his training, he rejoined 611 Squadron in May 1940.

On 2nd July Sutton shared a Do17. He crashed on landing at Tern Hill on 28th September and suffered slight facial injuries. His Spitfire, P7369, was written off.

Above image courtesy of the Sutton family via Aldon Ferguson.

Sutton shared in destroying two more Do17s on 11th October.

He was killed on a sweep over France on 23rd July 1941, as a Flying Officer with 611 Squadron. His Spitfire Vb, W3246, was shot down near St.Pol and he is buried there.

Sutton was the last of the squadron's pre-war auxiliary officers.