29 Facts About Archie McKellar

Archie McKellar grew up and joined the family business in his native Scotland, but in 1936, aged 24, he joined the RAF and began pilot training.

Archie McKellar completed his training in 1938 and was assigned to No 602 Squadron RAF, an Auxiliary Unit.

Archie McKellar experienced his first combat with No 602 Squadron, credited with two victories soon after the outbreak of war in 1939 against German bombers attacking Royal Navy ships and installations over northern Britain during the "Phoney War" period.

Archie McKellar took off and engaged a formation of German fighters, one of which he possibly shot down for his 22nd, albeit uncredited, and final victory.

Archibald Ashmore McKellar was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, on 10 April 1912, the son of John and Margaret McKellar, of Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, and was then educated at Shawlands Academy in the Southside of Glasgow.

Archie McKellar was a keen fitness enthusiast and, despite his short stature, built up a great physical strength.

Archie McKellar joined at his own expense the Scottish Flying Club, which had been founded in 1927; it leased and managed Renfrew Airport from 1933 until it was requisitioned during the Second World War.

Archie McKellar's flying skills earned him the attention of Lord Clydesdale, Commanding Officer of No 602 Squadron AAF.

Clydesdale invited Archie McKellar to join the Auxiliary Air Force and was commissioned into the RAF as a pilot officer on 8 November 1936, joining No 602 Squadron RAF.

Archie McKellar stayed with the Squadron and on 8 May 1938 was promoted to flying officer.

Archie McKellar believed physical fitness was a critical attribute in aerial combat; fitness, he believed, would ensure that the mind and body were always at their peak of alertness, and enable a pilot to react swiftly within a fluid battle situation.

Archie McKellar spent a large proportion of his time with his squadron practising combat tactics.

Archie McKellar is said to have tended to see everything and everyone in black and white.

Archie McKellar had helped develop the Ju 88 and had taken part in the invasion of Poland.

On 28 October 1939 Archie McKellar intercepted a Heinkel He 111H-2 of Stab.

Archie McKellar was transferred to No 605 and promoted to flight lieutenant, assuming the responsibilities of a flight leader on 21 June 1940.

Archie McKellar imposed strict discipline, both in standard of dress on the ground and in tactical discipline in the air.

Archie McKellar's popularity arose from his desire to help mould his unit into a well-disciplined fighting team.

Archie McKellar was credited with three He 111s destroyed during the encounter.

Archie McKellar explained three of the five victories in the combat that day in his combat report;.

Archie McKellar's DSO was gazetted posthumously on 26 November 1940 and again cited both 'outstanding courage and determination' in leading his squadron.

Archie McKellar had been wounded in combat and had been withdrawn from service.

Archie McKellar had come from the City of Glasgow Squadron to lift up this squadron in its dark hour and to carry it on to fresh victories and achievement by his spirit.

Archie McKellar was regarded with the greatest admiration and affection by his officers.

Archie McKellar is buried at New Eastwood Cemetery, Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, by Glasgow.

Archie McKellar engaged enemy aircraft over Canterbury and Croydon region at around 17:45.

At 14:00, Archie McKellar led 605 on an attack against II.

Archie McKellar claimed one of the Do 17s before being recalled by No 11 Group RAF commanding officer Keith Park to create a reserve for further operations.

Archie McKellar would be credited with one Do 17 destroyed whose identity is uncertain.