Documents enclosed in pilot's flying log book of Sqdn Ldr Harold Arthur Cooper Bird-Wilson, 1938-circa 1990

Among the miscellaneous papers enclosed in Squadron Leader Bird-Wilson's log book is a collection of letters and documents relating to his shooting down and baling out of his Hawker Hurricane during the Battle of Britain on 24 September 1940.

Bird-Wilson was shot by the German Ace Adolf Galland over the Thames Estuary on 24 September 1940. He baled out of his burning aircraft into the sea where he was promptly rescued by a Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boat, there is post-war correspondence between Bird-Wilson and a crew member of the vessel regarding his rescue. Bird-Wilson suffered burns and shrapnel wounds and was taken to the Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham for treatment, he returned to his squadron at the beginning of October.