RAF Exeter - A wartime history

01/11/2026

RAF Exeter Remembers - 86 Years Since the End of the Battle of Britain

Yesterday marked the 86th anniversary of the official end of the Battle of Britain on 31 October 1940.

During those critical months, RAF Exeter was home to 213 Squadron, 87 Squadron and 601 Squadron. From this Devon airfield, their pilots and aircrew flew daily against a determined enemy in defence of Britain.

Today, we remember the 21 men connected with those squadrons who lost their lives through enemy action, flying accidents and operational service during that historic period.

213 Squadron
Atkinson
Buchin
Butterfield
Laricheliere
Moss
Norris
Philippart
Stuckey
Wight
Wilkes

87 Squadron
Comely
Lovell-Gregg
Wakeling
Culverwell
Dewar (87/213 Squadron)
Glyde
Jay
Jeff

601 Squadron
Topolnicki
Dawson-May
Mills-Smith

Their backgrounds were different. Their journeys to Exeter were different. Yet each shared a common purpose: to defend Britain in her darkest hour.

Some are remembered through photographs that have survived the passage of time. Others are represented by a letter sent home or by the memorials that bear their names. But each is remembered equally.

As the years continue to pass and the generation that fought the Battle of Britain is no longer with us, the responsibility of remembrance passes to us.

Today, from Exeter, we honour these twenty-one airmen and give thanks for their courage, service and sacrifice.

Lest We Forget.

30/10/2026

On This Day at RAF Exeter

30 October 1942

RAF Exeter's Operations Record Book records a solemn occasion on 30 October 1942.

At 10:00 am, the funerals of Flying Officer Franciszek Czajkowski and Flying Officer Witold Jander of No. 151 Squadron took place at Higher Cemetery, Exeter. Both officers had been killed five days earlier when the Officers' Hospital at Torquay was bombed on 25 October 1942.

As with so many wartime tragedies, the loss did not occur during aerial combat. Instead, two young airmen lost their lives while away from operational flying, a reminder that the dangers of war extended far beyond the cockpit.

The funeral brought together comrades and fellow servicemen to pay their respects, ensuring that the sacrifice of both officers was marked with the dignity and honour it deserved. Far from their homelands, they were laid to rest in Exeter, a city that had itself endured the hardships of war.

Today, more than eight decades later, we remember Flying Officer Czajkowski and Flying Officer Jander, whose names remain part of the wartime story of RAF Exeter and the wider contribution made by Allied personnel serving alongside the Royal Air Force.

Lest We Forget.

30/10/2026

Met up with Steve today. What a fabulous project he is doing

https://www.facebook.com/share/152RJjXonWd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hi I'm Steve and welcome to Mental Health Rocks supporting mental health awareness through messages on beach stones and organising the GREAT TORBAY Poppy Rocks Project
in honour of our Armed Forces and War Animals on Remembrance Day

30/10/2026

Walking the Ground with Veterans in Exeter

Walking around Exeter this week with the veterans of the Armed Forces Community Support Hub for our latest "Walking the Ground" tour was a truly special experience.

Our morning began at the wonderful Exeter Cathedral Café, where we gathered at 10am for coffee, conversation, and a chance to catch up with friends old and new. From there, we made our way to St George's Chapel to watch the moving Exeter Blitz presentation, projected onto the chapel wall and telling the story of the devastating Luftwaffe raids that changed our city forever.

We then spent a few quiet moments in the Armed Forces Chapel inside Exeter Cathedral before making our way towards the remains of St Catherine's Almshouses. En route, we paused to chat with the Royal British Legion volunteers who were busy creating their annual Poppy Garden on Cathedral Green, a sure sign that Remembrance season is now upon us.

At the Almshouses, we stopped to reflect on the terrible damage inflicted upon Exeter during the Exeter Blitz of May 1942 and the resilience shown by the city's people during those challenging times.

Our mini "Walking the Ground" tour concluded at the Exeter Blitz Memorial in Princesshay, where we remembered those who lost their lives and reflected on the importance of preserving these stories for future generations.

More than anything, the morning was about friendship, remembrance, reflection, and shared conversation. As you can see from the photographs, there were plenty of opportunities for photo stops and smiles along the way!

A wonderful morning spent in good company, walking through the history of our remarkable city.

30/10/2026

Exeter will come together on Sunday 8 Nov to remember service personnel killed during wars and conflicts.

Everyone is welcome at the Remembrance Sunday service at the City War Memorial in Northernhay Gardens.

The service begins at 10.30am, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

The County Service will also take place at Exeter Cathedral at 4pm.

30/10/2026

It has been a very rewarding and community-focused week, ending today with an invitation to attend the Watermeadow Grange Care Home Remembrance Poppy Launch and Coffee Morning.

Not only was this an opportunity to visit this lovely care home once again, but it was also a chance to network with some truly inspiring people and organisations, including Topsham Museum, Steve and his Lest We Forget Mental Health Rocks initiative, Solace in Devon, and the wonderful veterans from the Armed Forces Community Support Hub.

It was a relaxed and enjoyable event, well attended by residents, visitors, and members of the local community. There was delicious cake, plenty of tea and coffee, and, most importantly, some amazing conversations and stories shared throughout the morning.

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all the staff and lovely residents at Watermeadow Grange Care Home for creating such a welcoming and meaningful event. A job very well done indeed.

Moments like these remind me why I value community engagement so much. The opportunity to spend time with veterans, residents, volunteers, and local organisations is a privilege and creates memories that will be treasured for years to come.

29/10/2026

On This Day at RAF Exeter

29 October 1941

During the night of 28/29 October 1941, RAF Exeter's night-fighter defenders remained on active patrol against enemy aircraft operating over southern England.

The Operations Record Book records that aircraft of No. 307 (Polish) Squadron made four visual contacts with enemy aircraft during the course of their patrols. On one occasion, a pilot opened fire after intercepting an enemy aircraft and reported observing strikes on the target. However, it was not possible to confirm whether the aircraft had been destroyed.

Night fighting was an uncertain and often frustrating business. Crews operated in darkness, relying on limited visual sightings and increasingly sophisticated radar equipment to locate their targets. Even when hits were observed, confirming the fate of an enemy aircraft was often difficult.

The entry also notes that reports of an enemy aircraft being shot down further east by No. 604 Squadron were later confirmed, providing evidence that RAF night-fighter operations were continuing to disrupt Luftwaffe activity over Britain.

For the aircrews of No. 307 Squadron at RAF Exeter, it was another night spent searching the darkness for an elusive enemy, helping to maintain the air defence of the South West during a critical period of the war.

Both images are credited to the original copyright owners.

For more RAF Exeter stories, photographs, wartime records and research, visit www.rafexeter.co.uk and help keep the history of Devon's wartime airfield alive.

29/10/2026