Battle of Britain brothers whose 'hearts were in the skies' remembered forever in their village

Two brothers who fought in the Battle of Britain have been honoured in their home village - 85 years after their 'hearts were in the skies'.

John and Hugh Dundas joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1938, aged 23 and 18 respectively. They both became Spitfire pilots, serving their country with distinction. Tragically, only Hugh survived. And his grandchildren Lucy and David Dundas were there to see his WWII bravery remembered.

John was killed in 1940 off the Isle of Wight, aged 25, after shooting down the enemy's "No 1 air ace". Sharon Pitt, a former parish councillor in their home village of Cawthorne, near Barnsley, S. Yorks, turned detective after first hearing a 'chance remark' about their story in January this year.

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She said: "It was such a lovely occasion to unveil the plaques in time for the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We managed to track down Sir Hugh's family who were there.

"John died when he was only 25 years old so had no children. He shot down a German pilot called Helmut Wick just before he died. Wick had been responsible for the deaths of more than 50 British pilots. But John was then shot down by Wick's wingman.

"The brothers really were heroes. They said their hearts were in the skies, they both wanted to fly." Canon Keith Farrow said the plaques on the wall of their former family home, Dale House, ensured that their heroism "inspires future generations".

He added: "They were not just pilots, they were guardians of liberty, sons of Yorkshire and eternal symbols of the RAF motto, 'per ardua ad astra': through adversity to the stars... We remember them, a family remembers, a village remembers and a nation remembers."

After retiring from active service in 1947, Hugh went on to become a senior broadcasting executive. He was appointed a CBE in 1977 and was knighted in 1987, before his death in 1995, aged 74.

His grandson David Dundas said: "For them to be honoured here in Cawthorne, where they grew up, is really special." The plaques were each covered with the Royal Air Force flag before the unveiling on Monday in front of eight Dundas family members.

David was only six years old when his grandfather died, but learned his story from reading his book and from speaking to his grandmother, who died in 2023. "It's a real proud moment for the family, to be here and to be part of it," he added.

Hugh was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross in 1941. In his post-war life, he was the air correspondent for the Daily Express.

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis, who served in the armed forces, paid tribute to the local effort in securing the plaques. “I am very pleased to see this fitting tribute to the Dundas brothers," he said.

“They were two remarkable men who deserve lasting recognition and one of whom gave his life in the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe."