Battle of Britain Pilots and the St George and Dragon Inn, Clyst St George,Devon

Drawing by my father, Rear Tail Gunner on Lancaster Bombers with 50 sqn and 44 Rhodesia Sqn

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND THE ST GEORGE AND DRAGON INN 10th July to 31st October 1940

Ailsa Lobb and her sister Joan helped run the St George and Dragon Inn with their father during the WW2 years. William Harold ( Bill) Lobb and Ailsa collected autographs from many of the airmen stationed at RAF Exeter and the surrounding airfields between 1940 and 1945. Amongst the collection are five Battle of Britain pilots. 310 Sqn also designed a lovely scroll featuring their signatures and presented it to Mr Lobb. It sat proudly behind the bar during 1942 to 1944. Seven Battle of Britain pilots had close associations with the St George and Dragon Inn.

PILOT OFFICER VACLAV BERGMAN 310 SQN Czech DFC AFC

Vaclav was shot down on 26th August, attacking Do17s over Clacton. He baled out, slightly wounded. His Hurricane P3960 crashed at Rumbolds Farm, Southminster. On the 9th September, Vaclav destroyed a ME110 and shared a JU88 on the 18th and again on the 28th October 1940. He joined 313 Sqn on the 1st January 1943 at Church Stanton as “B” Flight Commander. His name is also featured on the 310 Sqn Scroll.

PILOT OFFICER FRANTISEK DOLEZAL 19 SQN Czech DSO DFC

Frantisek’s achievements in the Battle of Britain:

Destruction of a probable ME109 on the 5th September. Destroyed a ME110 and damaged a HE111 on the 7th September. Probable destruction of a ME109 on the 11th September. Wounded his leg and returned with a severely damaged plane. Claimed a HE111 on the 18th September.

Ailsa’s Autograph Book

His name is also featured on the 310 Sqn Scroll

PILOT OFFICER EMIL ANTONIN FOIT 85 SQN Czech DFC

Emil was commissioned into the RAFVR on the 17th August at Cosford. Flying Hurricanes, he joined 85 Sqn at Church Fenton on the 16th October 1940. Posted to 310 Sqn at Duxford on the 22nd October.

Emil signed his name on the 310 Sqn Scroll presented to Harold Lobb in 1942.

Emil with his dog Mitia

PILOT OFFICER KAREL ( CHARLIE) MRAZEK 46 SQN CZECH DSO

Karel arrived in Liverpool on the 2nd July 1940 having served in the French Air Force. He was processed through the depot at Cholmondeley Park near Chester and from there to Cosford. He was commissioned into the RAF on the 2nd August 1940 and flying Hurricanes was posted to 46 Sqn. On the 27th August he made a forced landing at Rochester after his Hurricane engine was damaged in enemy combat over North Kent. He shot down a CR42 into the sea on the 11th November 1940.

Karel outside the St George and Dragon Inn in 1942. A regular visitor.

Ailsa with her friend Karel Mrazek photographed by the wall outside the St George and Dragon Inn in 1943. Charlie, as he was known, always carried his camera with him.

From Ailsa Lobb’s Autograph Book.

His name is also featured on the 310 Sqn Scroll

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT PETER O’BRIAN British 247 SQN DFC ADC OBE

He was awarded the DFC in December 1941 and led 247 Sqn until May 1942.

Peter standing by the wall outside the St George and Dragon Inn, Clyst St George. It’s lovely to be able to still stand by the same wall today and remember these brave pilots.

In 1941 Peter proposed by letter to his girl friend Edith Beatty in Canada and enclosed a diamond engagement ring. He waited many weeks for a reply not knowing if the letter had arrived safely over dangerous waters. A second letter made it through without a ring as he could not afford another one. Edith travelled to London and they married Christmas 1941. Lovely romantic story.

PILOT OFFICER MICHAEL ROOK British 504 SQN DFC

During the Battle of Britain on the 15th September, Michael shared in the destruction of a Do17 and on the 27th he claimed a ME110 destroyed and probably a second. On the 6th October 1940, he shared a ME109. Served with 504 Sqn until July 1941.

Ailsa Lobb remembered how tall he was; 6ft 6ins and size 14 shoes apparently.

PILOT OFFICER MICHAEL SHAND NZ 54 SQN DFC

On the 25th August 1940, Michael was shot down in his spitfire IR 6969 over Dover by a ME109 and made a forced landing near Manston; badly wounded. After several months in hospital ,he was posted to RAF Exeter for Operations Duties. It was while there that he was billeted at the St George and Dragon Inn. Ailsa remembered him coming down the stairs one morning only wrapped in an eiderdown when he inadvertently trod on it leaving him in the all together. Oh La La.

Michael was involved in the Great Escape. He was the last prisoner to emerge from the tunnel but was later recaptured