One of the last surviving women World War II pilots has died at the age of 101.
Mary Ellis posing with a Spitfire aircraft, a type of plane which she used fly during World War II. Photo: AFP
Briton Mary Ellis delivered Spitfires and bombers during the war as a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA).
She said she had flown "about 1000 aeroplanes" during the war, before moving to the Isle of Wight in 1950 to take charge of Sandown Airport.
Leading tributes, the head of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, tweeted that Mary Ellis was a pioneering female aviator and an inspiration to generations.
He said she would proudly remind everyone at the RAF's centenary events that she was older than the air force itself.
ATA secretary John Webster described Mrs Ellis as an "amazing" person.
While she was commonly known as the last-surviving female pilot from the war, in fact there are three others.
Mr Webster said that one, Eleanor Wadsworth, lives in Bury St Edmunds, another, Nancy Stratford, lives in the US and the other, Jaye Edwards, lives in Canada.
Mary Ellis, then Mary Wilkins, joined the ATA in 1941 after hearing an advertisement for women pilots on BBC radio.
She said at the time they were known as the "Glamour Girls", adding: "There were plenty of escorts around."
She married Don Ellis, a fellow pilot, in 1961, and continued to live in their marital home beside the runway at Sandown after his death in 2009.
Speaking at a surprise party in 2017 for her 100th birthday - held at the airport - Mrs Ellis said the Spitfire had always been her favourite aircraft.
"I love it, it's everybody's favourite," she said. "I think it's a symbol of freedom."
Tributes have been paid to Mrs Ellis by fellow pilots, including Red Arrow flier Mike Ling.
He posted on Twitter that she was a "legend of the Air Transport Auxiliary".
"I hope you are enjoying a well-earned sherry up there with Joy Lofthouse [a fellow ATA pilot] again."
More awful news. RIP Mary Ellis. A legend of the Air Transport Auxiliary. Over 1000 aircraft; 76 different types and over 400 Spitfires alone. I hope you’re enjoying a well-earned sherry up there with Joy Lofthouse again. Blue skies Ma’am #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/1v0yCbniJG
— Mike Ling MBE (Red 3) (@MikeLingPilot) July 25, 2018
RAF veteran and military historian Sally McGlone also paid tribute to her.
She wrote on Twitter: "Older than the RAF by one year.
"Without the ATA #RAF100 might not have happened."
RIP Mary Ellis, you have inspired so many women to fly. You will always be remembered, with love and thanks. Blue Skies Thank You. Aetheris Avidi - Eager for the Air ✈️ https://t.co/UMgzOmlPss
— Sally B McGlone (@sallyacb275) July 26, 2018
Author and former RAF navigator John Nichol described Mrs Ellis as a "truly remarkable lady".
He added: "Another giant leaves us to join her heroic friends in the blue skies."
Very sad to hear that WW2 ATA pilot Mary Ellis has died aged 101. A truly remarkable lady, she flew 400 Spitfires & 76 different types of aircraft during WW2. Another giant leaves us to john her heroic friends in Blue Skies. Rest in peace Mary; you truly deserve it. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/br00jZxGiu
— John Nichol (@JohnNicholRAF) July 25, 2018
- BBC
