| John Francis Durham Elkington | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Tim |
| Born | 23 December 1920 Warwickshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939 – 1975 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | 1 Squadron, 601 Squadron, 134 Squadron, 539 Squadron, 197 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | |
Wing Commander John Francis Durham "Tim" Elkington was a fighter pilot who flew with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, and is one of the surviving aircrew known as "The Few".
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Elkington was born in Warwickshire on 23 December 1920. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 as a Flight Cadet at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. He was commissioned on 14 July 1940[1] and joined No. 1 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt.[2] He flew Hurricanes with No. 1 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. Elkington was shot down and wounded on the 16 August 1940. After further duty with No 1 Squadron, he was posted to No. 55 Operational Training Unit as an instructor. In May 1941 he joined No. 601 Squadron RAF. He was promoted to flying officer on 14 July 1941.[3] From there he joined No. 134 Squadron RAF at RAF Leconfield. The squadron embarked on HMS Argus and took off from the carrier for an airfield near Murmansk. He then served with the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit until returning briefly to No. 1 Squadron. Elkington then joined No. 539 Squadron RAF flying Hurricanes alongside Douglas A20 Havoc aircraft on night operations. He was promoted flight lieutenant 14 October 1942.[4] He then joined No. 197 Squadron RAF at RAF Drem flying the Hawker Typhoon aircraft. After operations from RAF Tangmere he was posted to No. 67 Squadron at Alipore, Calcutta. After 3 years commanding AFDU and T&WDU at Armarda Road & Ranchi he returned home in 1946.
Elkington was promoted squadron leader in 1946[5] and wing commander in 1961.[6] Elkington retired from the Royal Air Force on 23 December 1975, retaining the rank of Wing Commander.[7]
After leaving the RAF, Elkington set up an art and picture-framing business.[8]
