O V Burns BofB WOP/AG 235 Sqn
 

Just heard Owen has died, short of making the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain.

An Air Gunner with 235 Sqn (Blenheim 1F fighter) during 1940/41. Having survived the Battle, on Valentines Day, evening, 1941, Owen Burns survived a landing accident, when his Blenheim crashed into a tree, sadly killing the Observer. On final approach, whilst attempting to land at Bircham Newton after a patrol across the North Sea, the airfield flarepath was suddenly extinguished due to an enemy aircraft in the vicinity. Redirecting to RAF Langham, the lights there too were suddenly turned off, plunging the Blenheim into sudden darkness, resulting into the collision with the tree. Joseph Chamberlain, the Pilot, survived with serious injuries and Owen Burns escaped with a fractured collarbone. Both would live into old age, Joseph passing in sept 2011.

May he rest in peace, - the last surviving 235 Battle of Britain Veteran that I'm aware of.

Andy Bird

235 Sqn Registrar

Author - Coastal Dawn

Re: O V Burns BofB WOP/AG 235 Sqn
 

Fl Lt Owen Valentine Burns AE, was my father. He was not just the last of 235 Squadron but he was one of the last of The Few. He died in June aged 99 years just a few months short of his 100 th birthday. He sadly did miss the 75 th anniversary Memorial Day at Capel le Ferne but he and the other 6 veterans attended Clarence House to have tea with Prince Charles a few weeks before he died. He had spent many years involved in the Battle of Britain Fighter Association and the BoB Memorial Trust and was proud to attend the opening by HM Queen, of The Wing which is the BoB museum at Capel le Ferne earlier this year. He was invited to Buckingham Palace with the other 6 Veterans but died the week before. He had a military funeral well represented by the establishment and RAF and of course his very large family of 7 children, 16 grandchildren and14 great gandchildren and wife. We will always remember him.