German raids today were spread over eight hours. Successful RAF squadrons included Nos 17, 43, 303 ND 501 (Hurricanes) and 41 (Spitfires). Oil tanks at Thameshaven were set on fire.

At about 2 25pm three Spitfires of No 72 Squadron were lost in combat with Bf 109s. Pilot Officer “Snowy” Winter baled out too low and was killed, the aircraft crashing into Covert Wood, Elham, Kent; Flying Officer Des Sheen, an Australian, baled out wounded, and Sergeant Malcolm “Mabel” Gray’s fell into Elham Park Wood where two brothers tried unsuccessfully to drag the pilot from the flames.

Malcolm Gray was buried in a family grave at Fulford, near York, with the inscription on the headstone: “To the Glorious Memory of our dearly loved son, Sergeant Pilot Malcolm Gray 72 (Fighter) Squadron (Spitfire) RAF, killed in action in Defence of Britain, September 5 1940 aged 20 years. Faithful unto Death.”