George Denholm

Group Captain George Lovell "Uncle" Denholm, (20 December 1908 – 15 June 1997) was a Scottish fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, and is counted amongst the ranks of 'The Few'.

Early life Denholm was born at Tidings Hill in Bo'ness, West Lothian, the son of a coal exporters and pit-prop/timber importer. He attended Cargilfield Preparatory School and Fettes College, and later studied law at St John's College, Cambridge.

At Cambridge, he joined the University Cadet Corps. In 1933, Denholm took an interest in planes and joined No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He took flight training on Airco DH.9A biplanes at RAF Macmerry and RAF East Fortune in East Lothian. In August 1939, Denholm was drafted as a flight commander to 603 Squadron at RAF Drem.

On 22 October 1940 acting Squadron Leader Denholm was awarded the DFC. His citation in the London Gazette read:

On 11 November he shot down and destroyed a Bf 109, and on 29 November he shot down another Bf 110.

In April 1941, he relinquished command of No. 603 Squadron and was posted as Fighter Controller to the Operations Room at RAF Turnhouse in Edinburgh. On 10 May 1941, Denholm was on duty when Rudolf Hess's Bf 110 was intercepted over Scotland and the Reich Deputy Führer was arrested.

Air combat record Denholm ended the war an ace, claiming 6 confirmed destroyed (4 destroyed and 4 shared), 3 probables, 1 shared probable and 5 damaged.

Post war Denholm returned to the family business, J & J Denholm, and in the 1950s was briefly a member of Bo’ness Municipal Council. He married Betty Tooms in 1939. They had two sons and two daughters.