Mitchell was posted to No 611 Squadron at Duxford on 5 September 1939. He was ill for a time and then joined No 257 Squadron, when it was reformed at Hendon in May 1940. The squadron was initially allocated Spitfires, but quickly received Hurricanes instead.
On 19 July Mitchell shared in the destruction of a Do 17. He was appointed ‘B’ Flight Commander on 8 August. He damaged a Ju 88 on 13 August, damaged a Do 17 on the 20th and destroyed a Bf 110 on the 31st.
Mitchell was shot down in an action over the Thames Estuary at about 5.30pm on 7 September, in Hurricane V 7254. He was believed to have crashed into the sea and was reported “Missing”. Also reported missing after the engagement was Flight Lieutenant Hugh Beresford of 257. His remains would eventually be found, in 1979.
Lance Mitchell was 24 and his name is on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 6.
