"A Spitfire pilot who fought during the Second World War has been been added to Winston Churchill's famous 'Few' nearly 80 years after the Battle of Britain. Sergeant James Eric William Ballard had undertaken just nine hours of flying time when he was asked to join the 610 (County of Chester) Squadron in Britain's time of need. Now, eight decades later, the brave pilot will be posthumously added to the brave number of people who fought in the air battle in 1940 which saw German planes attack the UK. A Spitfire pilot who fought during the Second World War has been been added to Winston Churchill's famous 'Few' nearly 80 years after the Battle of Britain. Sergeant James Eric William Ballard had undertaken just nine hours of flying time when he was asked to join the 610 (County of Chester) Squadron in Britain's time of need. Now, eight decades later, the brave pilot will be posthumously added to the brave number of people who fought in the air battle in 1940 which saw German planes attack the UK. Welcoming the recognition of his role in the air battle, group captain Patrick Tootal, OBE, Secretary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: 'The research goes on and even 80 years later we learn new things about the Battle of Britain. 'It is rare to be able to add a new name to the list of those who took part, especially a Spitfire pilot. 'Sergeant Ballard's contribution to the battle was relatively small but without him and men like him, the RAF could not have achieved its victory.' After the Battle of Britain ended, Sgt Ballard continued to serve with his squadron and was killed in action, aged 23, on 27 August 1941 during an operation over Europe. His body was not found and his name appears on the Air Forces Runnymede memorial overlooking the River Thames in Surrey." www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8217189/Spitfire-pilot-added-ranks-The-Few-nearly-80-years.html
