Speaker Richard Lyon, Chartered Architect and Honorary Member, Squadron No. 234 “Known unto God”;

Missing in Action WW11 Spitfire Pilot Russell Lyon.

Richard Lyon gave members a most moving account, using visual aids, of his quest to find out
 what happened to his Uncle who flew spitfires in the last war.
Apparently Russell had always been keen on flying and was a member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve.
His Mother died when he was 13 years old. At school he was a bit of an artist. We were shown a slide
of his abilities. After pilot training in the US he became a pilot instructor but later
volunteered to join an operational squadron and he was then posted to Squadron No. 234.
On 27th. July 1944, whilst stationed at RAF Predannack on the Lizard Peninsula Cornwall, the
squadron record book shows that the MK5 spitfire he was flying was shot down in action over
Lorient Brittany, France. Richard Lyon has spent many years devoted to finding his Uncle's Spitfire
crash site.
Finally he had a breakthrough via french researchers including Jean-Yves LeLan, Claude Helias and
Jean Robic. Jean-Yves emailed him stating he knew that the crash site was near the town of Ploemeur.

Richard showed us, via slides, the crash site & explained how he was given parts of the actual spitfire
which was piloted by his Uncle. His Uncle's name is on the war memorial at Runnymede amongst
thousands missing in action with no known grave only "Known Unto God".

In April 2007 we were told, the French researchers contacted Richard & informed him that a
roundabout was to be constructed, near the crash site dedicated to his Uncle.
The roundabout would have a Spitfire propeller installed on it together with a plaque with Russell's
name inscribed. Richard Lyon was invited by the Mayor of Ploemeur to attend the official opening
which he did and gave a short speech in French. His dedication to his Uncle is not over.

In March 2009 he received official confirmation of the crash site near
Kercaves as the site where his uncle's Spitfire hit the ground. He continues to try to obtain official
recognition CWGC grave in a nearby war cemetery at Guidel where the burial of an unknown
RAF Airman took place less than 48 hours after the crash.

Fifteen Club members listened intently to our speaker. One might say not only was he devoted to
this project but that his dedication might be construed by some as turning into an obsession.

Richard Lyon is now an Honorary Member of RAF Squadron No.234

Further detail of the story can be seen at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Russell_Lyon

 Martin Hudson, speaker host