At The Going Down Of The Sun by Nicolas Trudgian

A tribute to Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC

At the height of the Battle of Britain September 1940, the Spitfires of 92 Squadron, patrol the coast in the late afternoon sun. Having the instruction that the coast is clear of enemy aircraft they are ordered to return to their base at RAF Biggin Hill.
Flying Officer Brian Kingcome returns to base, being watched intensively by the young pilot Geoffrey Wellum  to gain experience so he can then perfect his aircraft to become ‘as one’ with the Spitfire, which would later earn him the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
At the end of the summer the pilots of RAF Fighter Command would be commemorated and known as ‘The Few’

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN SIGNATURES:

The Battle of Britain edition
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC
Joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1939. When training was completed and converting to Spitfires he was posted to 92 Squadron on the 21st May 1940. In June the Squadron was based at Pembury and then moved to the famed Biggin Hill base in September, flying throughout the Battle of Britain with 92 Sqn with a victory on the 11th September and the destruction of a Ju88 on the 27th. In August 1941 he was posted to 52 OTU as an instructor.

Air Commodore John Ellacombe CB DFC*
Joining the RAF in 1939 on a short service commission. After training he was posted directly to 151 Squadron.  Having never flown a Hurricane he was converted there and then. On the 24th August he shot down a He 111and on the 30th in combat with another He 111 he forced landed his damaged Hurricane and to his amazement the bomber he attacked crashed in the adjoining field. The following day he attacked a JU 88 and was hit by return fire and had to bail out. Being burnt he was admitted to Southend Hospital. After convalescence he rejoined the Squadron in
December 1940.

Flight Lieutenant Richard Jones
Joined the RAFVR in July 1938 and was called up for active service on September 1st, converting to Spitfires he joined 64 Squadron in early July and moved to 19 Squadron at Fowlmere on the 12th September flying as part of the Big Wing.
In November he re-joined 64 Squadron at Hornchurch.

Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC*
Commissioned in the RAF in March 1938, after initial training and converting to Spitfires he was posted to 74 Squadron on the 29th October. On the 21st May 1940 he claimed his first victory over the beaches of Dunkirk, scoring several more in quick succession. During the Battle of Britain he had multiple victories for this he was awarded the DFC on the13th August 1940. He was made a Flight Commander on the 28th. Scoring several more victories before being posted to 57 OTU on the 6th June 1941.

Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC AE
On the 1st May 1939 he joined the RAFVR. On 2nd September he was called up for full time service, after initial training he was sent to Sutton Bridge to convert to Hurricanes. Commissioned on the 9th June he was then posted to 605 Squadron on the 6th July. In combat with a Bf109 on 27th September his Hurricane was badly damaged, which he force landed at Gatwick, the following day he damaged a Ju88. Also seeing intense combat throughout October for which he clamed several victories. September 1941 he was posted to 55 OTU.
His final score was 6 victories.

Wing Commander Tim Elkington
Entering the RAF as a Flight Cadet at Cramwell in September 1939, on completing training was posted to 1 Sqn. on the 15th July 1940 flying Hurricanes, the following day he was engaged in combat over Portsmouth where his aircraft was badly damaged. Bailing out he landed at West Wittering and admitted to a hospital at Chichester. He returned to the Squadron on October 1st where he achieved two victories he served with the Squadron until April 1941.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN ARTIST PROOF EDITION:

All of the above SIX Battle of Britain pilots and the following

Squadron Leader Nigel Rose AE
In March 1939 joined the RAFVR. After initial training and converting to Spitfires he joined 602 Squadron at Drem on the 18th June. They were posted to Westhampnett where he claimed a BF 110 destroyed on the 25th August and another on the 7th September. He was injured on the 9th September and did not return to operations until the 7th October claiming a BF 109 destroyed on 29th. He stayed with the Squadron until the 2nd September 1941.

Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE
Joining the RAFVR in October 1938, Tom was called up for full-time service on the 2nd September. After initial training he was commissioned and joined 249 Squadron in May 1940 flying Hurricanes. On the 7th September he claimed a Bf 109, on the 11th an He 111, two Bf 109s on the 15th and a DO 17. On the 27th he destroyed a Bf 110 and a JU 88 and also a Bf 110 probable destroyed and sharing a JU 88. In October he shared a DO 17 on the 25th and destroyed a BF 109 on the 27th. On the 7th November he also destroyed a JU 87 and two BF 109’s, but on this day he collided with another Hurricane, bailing out unhurt. For these remarkable victories he was awarded a DFC on the 8th October 1940 and a bar on the 26th November 1940.

Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson
Called up on active service 1st September 1939, after initial training he was posted to 7 OTU to convert into Spitfires, joining 616 Squadron in Kirton-in-Lindsey. On 17th October joining 19 Squadron as part of the ‘Big Wing’. January 1941 he was posted to 56 OTU as an instructor.

Squadron Leader Tony Pickering AE
In April 1939 he joined the RAFVR and began weekend flying. Called up for full time service on the 1st September1939. After training he was posted to 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill with two other newly trained pilots. With no experience in flying Hurricanes the C/O sent them to 6 OTU. On the 25th August they re-joined 32 Squadron. Two days later the Squadron was posted for rest where Pickering and the two other pilots were sent to 501 Squadron at Gravesend. On the 11th September he was shot down by a Bf109 on the 29th October he claimed a Bf109 destroyed. In December he was posted to 601 Squadron

THE 92 SQUADRON ORIGINAL DRAWING TRIBUTE EDITIONS

THE 92 SQUADRON ORIGINAL DRAWING TRIBUTE EDITIONS SIGNATURES:

This includes ‘At the going down of the Sun’ signed by 10 of ‘The Few’
An ORIGINAL DRAWING with the original signatures of 7 pilots who flew with 92 Squadron 

Squadron Leader Percy Beake DFC
Joined the RAFVR in April 1939. After training and converting to Spitfires, he joined 64 Squadron on the 22nd September. He served with the squadron at various stations before being posted to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill in June 1941.

Squadron Leader Walter ‘Johnnie’ Johnson
Joining 92 Squadron in 1941 as a sergeant pilot,  he flew  missions with Don Kingaby, and flew rhubarb mission with 609 and 74 Squadron flying the MarkV Spitfire.  He flew under the leadership of Brian Kingcome who put him forward to be commissioned.
In an action on the 24th July he had 2 enemy aircraft damaged. After seeing combat with 92 Squadron he was posted to Digby.

Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO, OBE, DFC**, AFC,
Joined the RAF in 1940 at the age of 18 received his wings in Feb 1941, converted to Spitfires joining 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill. His first victory was a BF109 over Dunkirk.  Duke often flew as Wingman to the legendary Sailor Malan who was the Leader of The Biggin Hill Wing. November he was posted to the Western Desert with 112 Squadron and then in 1943 he rejoined 92 Squadron as a Flight Commander. By the end of the war he became a multiple Ace and after became the legendary test pilot.

Group Captain Allan Wright DFC*, AFC
He entered college RAF Cranwell in 1938 as a cadet. On training he joined 92 Squadron flying Blenheims and being re equipped in March 1940, he fought over Dunkirk claiming victories, and was with the Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain claiming several more enemy aircraft, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1940 and a bar in July 1941 posted away from the famous 92 to 59 OTU. Being reposted to operations with 29 Squadron in March 1943.

Wing Commander Bob Stanford-Tuck DSO, DFC**  (matted)
Joined the RAF in a short service commission at the age of 19, in September 1935. His first posting was to 56 Squadron flying Hawker Demons. At the beginning of May 1940 he joined 92 Squadron where he saw action over the Dunkirk beaches claiming several victories. Serving with 92 Squadron in the Battle of Britain as a Flight Commander claiming more victories before being posted to Command 257 Squadron .After this he was posted back to command the Biggin Hill Wing where he was shot down in January 1942 and was taken POW, he was credited with 29 air victories.

Group Captain Brian Kingcome DSO, DFC* (matted)
Joining the RAF on a permanent Commission and after initial training he was posted to 65 Fighter Squadron they were then re-equipped with Spitfires and fought over Dunkirk.  After this period he joined 92 Squadron with Bob Stanford-Tuck, and moved back to Biggin Hill at the end of August where be became the acting Commanding Officer.
He held this position for 6 weeks until he was injured in action, he rejoined 92 at the end of 1940 and stayed with the Squadron before being rested in 1942 joining 61 OTU

Wing Commander Don Kingaby DSO, AFC, DFM**(matted)

Joined the RAF in 1939 and after training joined 266 Squadron and soon after was transferred to 92 Squadron and went straight into the thick of the Battle of Britain. During October gained multiple victories. After the Battle of Britain he was flying with 92 Squadron as part of the Biggin Hill Wing. In 1943 he was posted to Command the Hornchurch Wing. He was the only Royal air force pilot to be awarded three Distinguished Flying Medals, by the end of the war he had 23 enemy aircraft destroyed

‘BOY WELLUM’

Each of the above editions will receive this stunning pencil print by Nicolas Trudgian depicting
Flying Officer Geoffrey Wellum standing by his faithful Spitfire at RAF Biggin Hill.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN,  ARTIST PROOF AND 92 SQUADRON ORIGINAL DRAWING TRIBUTE
EDITIONS ARE EXCLUSIVE TO VECTOR FINE ART

Pricing:

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN EDITION – limited to 75 Worldwide
Individually signed by the following Six Battle of Britain pilots
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC, Air Commodore John Ellacombe CB, DFC*,
Flying Officer Richard Jones, Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC*,
Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC, Wing Commander Tim Elkington
Accompanied by the pencil print ‘Boy Wellum’
£145 + postage and packing

________________________________

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN ARTIST PROOF EDITION – limited to 35 Worldwide
To include the above signatures and the following Battle of Britain pilots
Squadron Leader Nigel Rose, Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC,
Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson, Squadron Leader Tony Pickering AE,
Accompanied by the pencil print ‘Boy Wellum’
£195 + postage and packing
VERY LOW INVENTORY

________________________________

SOLD OUT
THE 92 SQUADRON ORIGINAL DRAWING TRIBUTE EDITION – Limited to 5 Worldwide
To include At the Going down of the Sun signed by Ten of ‘The Few’
An ORIGINAL drawing of a Spitfire of 92 Squadron, which has been signed by

Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO, OBE, DFC**, AFC, Squadron Leader Percy Beake DFC
Group Captain Allan Wright DFC*, AFC, Squadron Leader Walter Johnston

Matted within the mount are the following signatures of three legendary 92 Squadron Battle of Britain pilots
Group Captain Brian Kingcome DSO, DFC*, Wing Commander Don Kingaby DSO, AFC, DFM**
Wing Commander Bob Stanford-Tuck DSO, DFC**
Accompanied by the pencil print ‘Boy Wellum’
SOLD OUT

______________________________________

Each of the above editions will be accompanied by a matching numbered companion print ‘BOY WELLUM’

ARTIST SIGNED EDITION  – limited to 200 Worldwide
£50 + postage and packing

The print size for ‘At the going down of the Sun’ is
72.5cm x 50.5cm overall with an image size of 61cm x 35m

The 92 Squadron Original Drawing Tribute Edition
Overall mount size is 41cm x 37cm

A personal note from Colin:

I have had the honour of personally knowing many of the Battle of Britain aircrew over a vast number of years, many of whom have become close friends. This project was first started over 10 years ago, the veterans very kindly signed for us and were either paid personally or a donation was made to a charity of their choice.