Battle of Britain hero Maurice Mounsdon dies, aged 101

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Ivor Bennett

A Battle of Britain hero, who was one of the 3,000 RAF airmen who protected millions of Britons from Hitler's Luftwaffe, has died.

Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon was 101 when he passed away on Friday, his family said.

But even to those closest to him, Maurice rarely spoke about his exploits.

Speaking to ITV News, his nephew, Adrian Mounsdon said: "All the fuss that is being made about him now, I think he'd be rather embarrassed.

He added: "I feel very proud an honoured to see the tributes and respect paid to him, and in my view it's very well deserved."

Mr Mounsdon was honoured on his 100th birthday in September last year with a flyover by the Red Arrows off the coast of the Spanish island of Menorca, where he had lived since the late 1970s since retiring there with his wife Mary, who passed away more than 20 years ago.

The airman was honoured on his 100th birthday with an RAF fly past. Credit: RAF

Now just three of those who helped keep Britain safe from Hitler's Luftwaffe remain alive.

Centenarians Flt Lt William Clark, Flying Officer John Hemingway and 101-year-old Wing Commander Paul Farnes are the only surviving members of the brave squadrons.

Some 544 pilots and crew were killed during the Battle of Britain, which took place in the skies above southern England over more than three months in 1940.

The RAF gave the airman a fly past at his Spanish home on his 100th birthday. Credit: RAF

Earlier this year, a British Second World War hero was buried more than seven decades after his Spitfire was shot down near Venice, Italy.

Warrant Officer John Henry Coates received a funeral with full military honours at Padua War Cemetery on Wednesday.

Twenty two members of his family reportedly attended the service, although none were alive at the time of the hero's death.