Anthony Eyre

Anthony Eyre, (12 November 1918 – 16 February 1946) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least ten aircraft.

Born in Lowestoft, Eyre was studying law when he joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1938. He was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War, serving with No. 615 Squadron. The squadron was sent to France in the early stages of the war and following the German invasion in May 1940, Eyre claimed his first aerial victories. He flew extensively through the Battle of Britain until the squadron was rested, by which time he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He commanded the unit briefly in 1941 until he was taken off operations. He returned to duty in March 1942 as the wing leader of the North Weald Fighter Wing but was shot down over France on his first sortie leading the unit. He spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war. After the end of hostilities in Europe, he remained in the RAF. He was killed in a flying accident on 16 February 1946.

Early life Anthony Eyre was born on 12 November 1918 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in England. He went to school in Croydon, being educated at Whitgift School, as his father worked at a bank in Purley. Once his education was completed, in 1935 he commenced working for the National Provincial Bank in London.

In 1938 Eyre joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, being commissioned as a pilot officer and serving with No. 615 Squadron.

By the time of Eyre's award of the DFC, No. 615 Squadron had been sent north to Prestwick for a rest. The next few weeks were spent training its pilots but in October the squadron went south to Northolt, and was involved in defending the tail end of the Luftwaffe's campaign against the south of England. Eyre was promoted to acting flight lieutenant at this time and appointed commander of one of the squadron's flights. His flight lieutenant rank was made substantive early the following year.

Circus offensive In February 1941, No. 615 Squadron, now using the Hurricane Mk II and operating from Kenley, switched to the offensive, being involved in the RAF's Circus offensive to France. At the end of the month Eyre was appointed commander of the squadron, due to the incumbent being killed in action. He remained in the post until April, when he was rested from operations. He was credited with having shot down ten aircraft, two of which being shared with other pilots. In addition to two aircraft probably destroyed, he is also credited with six damaged while two aerial victories were unconfirmed.

In 2006, Eyre's former school, Whitgift School, unveiled a memorial plaque to commemorate eight former students, Eyre among them, who had flown in the Battle of Britain.