Spitfire pilot posthumously hailed as one of ‘The Few’ in Battle of Britain

A Spitfire pilot has been posthumously added to the ranks of The Few in a rare occasion nearly 80 years after the Battle of Britain.

Sgt Ballard only had 9 hours of flying time before joining his squadron. Picture: Battle of Britain Memorial Trust/PA Wire

Sergeant James Eric William Ballard has now been added to the famed number of people who fought in the air battle in 1940.

So desperate was the need for fighter pilots as German planes attacked the UK in the Second World War that Sgt Ballard had only nine hours of flying time before joining 610 (County of Chester) Squadron.

Now eight decades later, The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust has welcomed new recognition of his role in the air battle.

It follows the discovery of his logbook, which shows an operational sortie flown on 8 October 1940 – a flight that was confirmed by the signatures of his commanding officer and flight commander.

Group Captain Patrick Tootal, secretary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: “The research goes on and even 80 years later we learn new things about the Battle of Britain.

“It is rare to be able to add a new name to the list of those who took part, especially a Spitfire pilot. Sergeant Ballard’s contribution to the battle was relatively small, but without him and men like him, the RAF could not have achieved its victory.”

After the Battle of Britain ended, Sgt Ballard continued to serve with his squadron and was killed in action, aged 23, on 27 August 1941 during an operation over Europe.

His body was not found and his name appears on the Air Forces Runnymede memorial overlooking the River Thames in Surrey.

After the war ended, Sgt Ballard’s mother was recorded as living in Tooting, south London. The names of all the Allied aircrew known to have flown in the Battle are listed at the Battle of Britain Memorial in Kent.