Having returned from my holidays yesterday and after almost a month away from the Internet, I found this sad news in my mailbox.

Gordon Mitchell, son of the legendary Spitfire designer R J Mitchell and former president of the Spitfire Society, died on July 24th 2009 due to the complications which developed after an unfortunate accident in his home garden in Gloucestershire. Gordon was 88 years old.

Gordon Mitchell was probably best known in aviation circles for the efforts for commemorating his father. He contended that his father was an unsung hero and Gordon campaigned long and hard for a posthumous knighthood to be awarded to R J.

Gordon was also the author of arguably the best biography of his father’s life – R. J. Mitchell – Schooldays to Spitfire, written with expertise and affection.

Gordon’s funeral service on 4 August was enriched by a fly-by salute of three Spitfires.

More to read here at the pages of the Spitfire Society or here.