| Thomas Francis Neil | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ginger |
| Born | 14 July 1920 Bootle |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938-1964 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No. 249 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar Air Force Cross Air Efficiency Award |
Wing Commander Thomas Francis "Ginger" Neil, DFC*, AFC, AE is a famed World War II Royal Air Force fighter pilot, ace and one of the few remaining survivors of the Battle of Britain.[1] Neil scored a total of 14 kills during the Second World War.[2]
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Neil was born in Bootle on 14 July 1920[3]
Neil joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1938 at the age of 18. He was called up to full-time service at the outbreak of war. He was posted to No. 8 FTS on 1 December 1939 and was commissioned on completion of the course. He was posted to No. 249 Squadron RAF in May 1940 where he flew Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain alongside "Tich Palliser".
Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, on 8 October 1940 and was awarded a Bar to his DFC on 26 November 1940. He embarked with 249 Sqn on HMS Furious on 10 May and sailed for Gibraltar, and on arrival the squadron transferred to HMS Ark Royal. The squadron flew to Ta' Qali on 21 May 1941 to take part in the Battle of Malta.
In December 1941, Neil was transferred and eventually became liaison officer to the US 9th Air Force's 100th Fighter Wing.
Neil retired from the RAF in 1964 at the rank of Wing Commander.
After retiring from the RAF, Neil returned to the USA to lead a British consultancy company in Boston.[4] He returned to Great Britain in 1967, settling in Norfolk where he became a director in the shoe industry, and later became secretary of his local Chamber of commerce. He retired in the early 1980s.
Neil has written a number of books on his experiences: