Alan Eckford | |
|---|---|
 Eckford and his Spitfire, 1942 | |
| Born | 6 February 1919 Thame Park, Oxfordshire, England |
| Died | 6 December 1990 (aged 71) Rickinghall, Suffolk, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 32 Squadron No. 242 Squadron No. 253 Squadron No. 64 Squadron No. 154 Squadron |
| Commands | No. 242 Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Alan Francis Eckford DFC (6 February 1919 – 6 December 1990) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with at least eight aerial victories.
Born in Thame Park, Eckford joined the RAF in late 1938. In the early stages of the Second World War he served with No. 32 Squadron, including a brief period in France in May 1940 following the German invasion of the Low Countries. During the later stages of the fighting there, he flew with No. 242 Squadron as a reinforcement pilot. During the subsequent Battle of Britain, he returned to No. 32 Squadron and was heavily engaged in the fighting over Kent during July and August, achieving several aerial victories. In the final weeks of the aerial fighting over Britain, he flew with No. 253 Squadron. He remained with the unit until late 1941, when he was rested from operational flying. After a period of instructing duties, he returned to active operations in mid-1942, serving with No. 154 Squadron during the Circus offensive, the Dieppe Raid, and in North Africa. He commanded No. 242 Squadron during the final stages of the North African campaign before returning to the United Kingdom. He served in the Air Ministry for the remainder of the war. He died in 1990, aged 71. A photograph taken of Eckford and other pilots of No. 32 Squadron during the Battle of Britain inspired the ‘Spirit of The Few’ Monument at Hawkinge.