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A Salute to One Of the Few: The Life of Flying Officer Peter Cape Beauchamp St John RAF
A poignant biography of a pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.
In a quiet churchyard is the grave of an airman who lost his life fighting in the skies over southern England in October 1940. The author happened to come across this grave, and after some initial inquiries discovered that nobody in the town was aware that this Battle of Britain pilot lay at rest in their parish.
Determined to discover more about the short life of this hero, he undertook several years of research to craft this biography. Peter Cape Beauchamp St. John joined the RAF in November 1937 on a four-year short service commission at the age of twenty. In July 1938 he was posted to No. 87 Squadron, being equipped with the then-new Hawker Hurricane fighter. After war had been declared, the Squadron was posted to France in support of the British Expeditionary Force, becoming operational on September 10, 1939. In March 1940 he was transferred to 501 Squadron in Tangmere, and then again in April to 74 Squadron as an operational pilot at Hornchurch, equipped with Spitfires. It was from here that he fought his part in the Battle of Britain.
For those who may have forgotten "The Few," this stirring story tells of the all-too-short life of one of the 544 young men who gave everything to defend Great Britain from Nazi aggression.
In a quiet churchyard is the grave of an airman who lost his life fighting in the skies over southern England in October 1940. The author happened to come across this grave, and after some initial inquiries discovered that nobody in the town was aware that this Battle of Britain pilot lay at rest in their parish.
Determined to discover more about the short life of this hero, he undertook several years of research to craft this biography. Peter Cape Beauchamp St. John joined the RAF in November 1937 on a four-year short service commission at the age of twenty. In July 1938 he was posted to No. 87 Squadron, being equipped with the then-new Hawker Hurricane fighter. After war had been declared, the Squadron was posted to France in support of the British Expeditionary Force, becoming operational on September 10, 1939. In March 1940 he was transferred to 501 Squadron in Tangmere, and then again in April to 74 Squadron as an operational pilot at Hornchurch, equipped with Spitfires. It was from here that he fought his part in the Battle of Britain.
For those who may have forgotten "The Few," this stirring story tells of the all-too-short life of one of the 544 young men who gave everything to defend Great Britain from Nazi aggression.
- GenresWorld War II
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2019
18 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2020
Peter St John was just a normal young man that did his bit of "extraordinarism" during his short life in World War 2. He is one of the few of The Few who gave his life defending Britain and the free world during the Battle of Britain, and yet he was no ace or gung-ho flyer, but definitely an unsung hero of his time. The author takes us on the story of his whole 23 year life from infancy to the day he died. Included are his flight training, his service with the Advanced Air Striking Force in France during the Phoney War and his service during the Battle. His final day in itself is a whole chapter in the end which is really moving. Put in between all this are snippets of the most important happening during the times he lived which in itself is an interesting lesson in history. Good book and easy to read.
March 19, 2009
Every now and again you pick up a book and just fall into it.
If you only read one book about Hitler's rise to power, the fall of France and the conflict that became known as the Battle of Britain; then let this be it.
The book follows the life of one airman. Peter Cape Beauchamp St John.
From his birth at the end of the First World War to his death fighting in the Battle of Britain.
It takes you along through this recent past history in an easily understood, nicely detailed, absorbing narrative.
Ideal for all ages.
For those that were there.
For those that wonder why?
And for our children children, so that they may know and learn to care.
Fascinating and totally absorbing.
I highly recommend this book.
Susan Smillie, Petersfield, England.
If you only read one book about Hitler's rise to power, the fall of France and the conflict that became known as the Battle of Britain; then let this be it.
The book follows the life of one airman. Peter Cape Beauchamp St John.
From his birth at the end of the First World War to his death fighting in the Battle of Britain.
It takes you along through this recent past history in an easily understood, nicely detailed, absorbing narrative.
Ideal for all ages.
For those that were there.
For those that wonder why?
And for our children children, so that they may know and learn to care.
Fascinating and totally absorbing.
I highly recommend this book.
Susan Smillie, Petersfield, England.
February 10, 2020
5 stars for content, the writing is a bit stilted. You can almost hear a proper English narrator doing the voice over for a documentary. Peter St. John was an ordinary British boy, active in sports, good with mechanical objects, not so good with books, a bit of a practical joker. When he was old enough he joined the reserves like so many others wanting to "do their bit". As the threat of war intensified he, with his love of all things mechanical, managed to transfer to the RAF and was sent to flying school. Peter was not a gifted pilot, but he was competent. Training was marked by alternating periods of sheer terror when things went wrong, and sheer joy when everything went right. He needed 2 tries to pass the written exam, but was certified a pilot and sent to a fighter squadron. He patrolled the beaches at Dunkirk and guarded convoys in the channel. He was almost shot down by friendly antiaircraft guns over France barely managing to land his badly damaged Hurricane. Just before the Battle of Britain he was sent to a squadron flying the new Spitfire. Like nearly all pilots who flew Spitfires, Peter loved his new plane.
The Battle of Britain is remembered as the first major battle of any war that was fought entirely in the air. The Germans needed to knock out the RAF to successfully get their army across the English Channel. They were confident it wouldn't take long. No one could match the Luftwaffe. Between July 15, 1940 and October 31 the Germans sent wave after wave of bombers over England to destroy the RAF. During the battle the Luftwaffe lost nearly 50 % of their planes and crews. The RAF lost 500+ fighter pilots including Peter St. John, who was shot down and killed on October 22. He was 23. He didn't win any special medals, he never became an ace. He was perfectly ordinary in virtually every way. In the end, that is what makes this story compelling. The war had heroes and spawned legends, but it was won by a generation of ordinary young men (and as it progressed by young women as well) who just went off to "do my bit". Recommended.
The Battle of Britain is remembered as the first major battle of any war that was fought entirely in the air. The Germans needed to knock out the RAF to successfully get their army across the English Channel. They were confident it wouldn't take long. No one could match the Luftwaffe. Between July 15, 1940 and October 31 the Germans sent wave after wave of bombers over England to destroy the RAF. During the battle the Luftwaffe lost nearly 50 % of their planes and crews. The RAF lost 500+ fighter pilots including Peter St. John, who was shot down and killed on October 22. He was 23. He didn't win any special medals, he never became an ace. He was perfectly ordinary in virtually every way. In the end, that is what makes this story compelling. The war had heroes and spawned legends, but it was won by a generation of ordinary young men (and as it progressed by young women as well) who just went off to "do my bit". Recommended.
January 6, 2020
Interesting history
Combination of biography and history. The author’s style makes it an enjoyable read that draws you in. You know from the beginning how it is going to end, but find yourself hoping for a different ending.
Combination of biography and history. The author’s style makes it an enjoyable read that draws you in. You know from the beginning how it is going to end, but find yourself hoping for a different ending.
December 18, 2024
Excellent
August 15, 2009
This is a delightful book; well researched and very thorough. The author presents an accurate depiction of the life and times of this young fighter pilot and the events leading up to his premature death.
It is not just a book about a pilot. It very skilfully combines the political, economic, social and military events of the time that resulted in the Second World War. And yet, this very detailed history lesson is delivered with passion, and a lightness of style, that makes it easy to read and hard to put down.
The author succeeds admirably in delivering an empathetic narrative despite his obvious aversion to the brutality of this aerial warfare and the damage inflicted on the young men of both sides.
This isn't just a book about airman and there fast aeroplanes; it is an erudite explanation of why the summer of 1940 was a pivotal point in the defence of Great Britain.
A thoughtful and thought-provoking book - I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to know more about the causes of the Second World War or just wants to read a story well told.
It is not just a book about a pilot. It very skilfully combines the political, economic, social and military events of the time that resulted in the Second World War. And yet, this very detailed history lesson is delivered with passion, and a lightness of style, that makes it easy to read and hard to put down.
The author succeeds admirably in delivering an empathetic narrative despite his obvious aversion to the brutality of this aerial warfare and the damage inflicted on the young men of both sides.
This isn't just a book about airman and there fast aeroplanes; it is an erudite explanation of why the summer of 1940 was a pivotal point in the defence of Great Britain.
A thoughtful and thought-provoking book - I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to know more about the causes of the Second World War or just wants to read a story well told.
August 24, 2009
This is probably the best book I have read about the Battle of Britain. The detail concerning the personalities and the history leading up to the Second World War is excellent. It is a fit and extremely moving tribute to one pilot, Peter St John. A very ordinary man made special by the circumstances he found himself in, and the challenges that he rose to meet. This is more than just a good read; it is a detailed and extremely accessible document. This is a book that you will want to return to. It is a bittersweet account of the tragedies of war.
Here then is a detailed account of the ending of the First World War and the mistakes and tragedies leading with a terrible inevitability to the Second World War.
A must for students and a riveting read for anybody who would like to know how the calamity of the Second World War came into being.
Dr Nigel Ellsworth.
Here then is a detailed account of the ending of the First World War and the mistakes and tragedies leading with a terrible inevitability to the Second World War.
A must for students and a riveting read for anybody who would like to know how the calamity of the Second World War came into being.
Dr Nigel Ellsworth.
July 21, 2016
A fantastically-written book that describes in detail the events leading up to and including the Battle of Britain and the protagonist's role in the events. I only picked this book on a whim, it was a 'cheap' offer on Amazon, and it's turned out to be one of my favourite books read this year. Brilliant read!
April 24, 2018
The approach of this great book is to profile one young man and provide the context of his circumstances, background and aspirations.
This gives a vivid sense of a personal journey into the challenging combat theatres of south east England in 1940.
Knowing that it will end abruptly and tragically heightens the sense of vulnerability of such skillful and courageous pilots.
This gives a vivid sense of a personal journey into the challenging combat theatres of south east England in 1940.
Knowing that it will end abruptly and tragically heightens the sense of vulnerability of such skillful and courageous pilots.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews