Flying Officer Richard Demetriadi and Flying Officer Alexander Trueman came from diverse backgrounds, Demetriadi was educated at Eton and joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1938. Trueman was born in New Brunswick, Canada and joined the Royal Air Force on a short service commission also in 1938. Demetriadi flew with No. 601 Squadron and Trueman with No. 253 Squadron. Both flew the Hawker Hurricane.
Hawker Hurricane being armed, No. 601 Squadron, Tangmere, 1940.
Copyright : Pic ref or accession no.: PC98/173/171/29/A
On 11 August 1940, Demetriadi was killed in combat like so many other pilots in the Battle of Britain over the Channel. This body of water that protected Britain could just as easily be an enemy. Unlike many his body was found when washed ashore and was buried in France. He was 21. Trueman damaged a Messerschmitt Bf109 over Rochester aerodrome on 2 September 1940. Two days later, just after being promoted to Flying Officer, he was shot down over Kenley.
Both these pilots are still remembered today not just in words but in the landscape. Trueman Road in Kenley, Surrey is named after Flying Officer Trueman. He is also commemorated on his family’s memorial in his native Canada. Flying Officer Demetriadi is remembered in the beauty of nature and the landscape. His father gave land to the National Trust in memory of his son. This is at Ditchling Beacon. Why there? Perhaps his father needed a physical location in England to visit and grieve the loss of his son.
Trueman had another legacy. His wife Ethel gave birth to twin sons Alec and Michael on 4 November 1940, two months after the death of her husband.
We will remember them.
HM Queen Elizabeth II laying wreath at dedication of RAF Memorial, Runnymede, 1953.
Copyright : Pic ref or accession no.: X001-2632/012
