"Tributes have been paid to one of the last Battle of Britain veterans after he died aged 97. Flight Lieutenant William 'Bob' Hughes, who died on Monday, joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an 18-year-old in the spring of 1939. He then served with the 23 Squadron at RAF Wittering in west Sussex and took to the skies against the Germans in the Battle of Britain a year later. Mr Hughes completed two operational tours in Bristol Blenheim bombers and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in 1943. There are now only seven Battle of Britain veterans remaining following the deaths of Flight Lieutenant Ronald Mackay, Wing Commander Tom Neil and Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum earlier this year. Mr Hughes was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1921 before moving to Northampton at five years old. Following the Battle of Britain in 1940, Mr Hughes was posted to Malta to serve with the 148 Squadron before being transferred to the 70 Squadron in Egypt. He returned to Britain in early 1942 to complete a tour with the 12 Squadron, for which he earned his Distinguished Flying Cross. Mr Hughes then worked as a flying instructor before leaving the RAF in March 1946. " www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6474151/The-fewer-Tributes-paid-Battle-Britain-veteran-dies-aged-97.html
