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Welcome to Solway Books | News | Spitfires Over Scotland- First Blood To The Auxiliaries

Spitfires Over Scotland- First Blood To The Auxiliaries

Posted on Friday, 21 May 2010 03:01PM by Jayne Baldwin

Spitfires Over Scotland - First Blood to the Auxiliaries, the Life of Squadron Leader Patrick Gifford was successfully launched recently in Castle Douglas, the town where the WW2 hero worked as a solicitor. A large audience heard an informative and moving talk by author Bill Simpson at the Douglas Arms. Bill, the author or two previous RAF books, had also been instrumental in the creation of a new memorial to the Squadron Leader. On Sunday May 16th, the 70th anniversary of his last sortie, the plaque was unveiled in the grounds of Castle Douglas library. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Dumfries and Galloway Council, 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron and 3(F) Squadron. The dedication was carried out by The Lord Douglas of Selkirk QC and the Disperse by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross, Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.

The new biography of Patrick Gifford tells of his childhood and schooldays at Sedbergh before he trained in the law in Edinburgh. He joined his father in the family law firm in Castle Douglas and although he led the life of a diligent and very upright citizen in the small town in South West Scotland he was also something of a daredevil. He enjoyed danger and action and drove his sports car at speed along the twisty road to Edinburgh. He joined the Auxiliaries in the 1930s training as a pilot and often performing aerobatics over his home town. When war was declared he found himself defending his country against the Luftwaffe and in his Spitfire he brought down the first enemy plane over Britain during World War Two during the Battle of the River Forth.
Gifford was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and promoted to Squadron Leader becoming the first Auxiliary to be placed in charge of a regular squadron. Sadly, just seven months later during the Battle for France he was shot down. His body was never found and in Spitfires Over Scotland, Bill Simpson examines the mystery of his death.

Spitfires Over Scotland is a great read for anyone interested in The Spitfire, the Second World War and the RAF. It is expertly researched and written with pace and attention to detail. Published by GC Books of Wigtown it's available now from Solway Books price £12.99.