FLJ'A

Flight Lieutenant James 'Jimmy' Armstrong

Age 22 World War II

James "Jimmy" Armstrong was born in 1918 in Bristol, the son of a carpenter. He learned to fly at the Bristol Flying School and joined the RAFVR in 1939. Known as "the poet" of 609 Squadron for his letters home describing aerial combat in vivid, romantic prose. He and Rose married in August 1940 — they had just six weeks together before his death. His commanding officer described him as "the finest natural pilot I have ever commanded, and the bravest."

Letters by Flight Lieutenant James 'Jimmy' Armstrong

World War II • 1939–1945 1 letter

Above the Clouds

1 min WW2

Written at dawn on Battle of Britain Day — the decisive air battle over England. Jimmy was shot down hours later. The letter was found in his locker at RAF Middle Wallop.

Flight Lieutenant James 'Jimmy' Armstrong → Rose Armstrong 1940-09-15

RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire, England

Places Flight Lieutenant James 'Jimmy' Armstrong wrote from

Back to “Above the Clouds”