Second World War veteran honoured with Special Recognition award

Former Bomber Command pilot George Dunn has been honoured with a special award at the eighth annual RAF Benevolent Fund awards. The 98-year-old was given the Special Recognition Award in acknowledgement of his long-standing support for the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

The ceremony, held virtually on 13 October, was attended by hundreds of RAF personnel and supporters of the Fund in a night which celebrates the achievements of those who support the RAF's leading welfare charity, from dedicated individuals and groups to RAF stations and corporate partners.

George has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the Fund through signings appearances at air shows throughout the summer. In addition to this he has given up his time to take part in interviews and photoshoots to support our campaign to get RAF veterans back on the radar.

On Battle of Britain Day last year, 72 years after his first flight in a Spitfire, George returned to the cockpit flying in the two-seater Spitfire at Biggin Hill. His response after landing was: "I could have done with a little bit longer up there!"

George, who lives in Saltdean, said: "I was very surprised to hear I had been nominated for this award. It really is a great honour. A lot of is due to my colleagues in the Sussex area who along with myself raised funds for the Benevolent Fund over the last 10 years sadly many of them have passed away but I hope I can have a few more ears left when I can carry on the good work."

During the Second World War, George flew a total of 44 operations with Nos 76, 608 and 104 Squadrons, 30 in Halifax bombers over targets in industrial Germany and 14 in Mosquitos bombing Berlin. He took part in the Peenemunde Raid in August 1942, bombing the Nazi’s secret V bomber force, when a late change of plan switched his squadron from the fourth to the first wave. The fourth wave lost 46 aircraft.

After the war George continued to fly for the RAF until 1947, testing a number of aircraft types including Mosquitos, Spitfires, Hurricanes and Mustangs for a maintenance unit in Ismailia, Egypt. Part of that testing involved flying a Spitfire to Greece. That exact same Spitfire turned up at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar last year and has now been restored. No-one realised the significance of the model until George brought in his logbook.

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "During my first few months at the Fund I was struck by the dedication of our supporters who go to incredible lengths to ensure we are able to continue our work supporting the RAF Family. The awards are our opportunity to celebrate those who make all of this possible and thank all our supporters.

"George is the embodiment of the RAF’s long-held value of ‘looking after their own’ and his support of the Fund is nothing short of inspiring. We truly would not be able to do what we do without every single one of our supporters whether it be raising money or awareness, helping us to reach even more members of the RAF Family."

Now in its eighth year, the RAF Benevolent Fund Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of its supporters, personnel on stations and corporate partners who support the charity each year.