A MEMORIAL ceremony was held in Hailsham today (13 September) to honour Flying Officer Percival “Percy” Ross Frames Burton, the 23-year-old Hurricane pilot who died after ramming a German aircraft over the town during the Battle of Britain.
The service, organised by Barratt Homes and East Sussex County Councillor Steve Murphy, brought together dignitaries, veterans and family members at the site where Burton’s Hurricane came down in 1940.
Among those in attendance were His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman, MP Nusrat Ghani and Hailsham Mayor Chris Bryant, alongside relatives of Percy who had travelled from South Africa.
At 9.40am on 27 September 1940, Flying Officer Burton, of 249 Squadron, engaged enemy aircraft near Redhill before pursuing a Messerschmitt 110 at low level. Witnesses recalled how he deliberately rammed the German plane over Hailsham, cutting off its tail and sending it crashing to the ground. Burton’s own aircraft came down in Station Road, striking a shed and bursting into flames. He was killed instantly.
Fellow pilots and members of the Royal Observer Corps who saw the incident described Burton’s actions as an act of extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, with some calling for a posthumous Victoria Cross. Fellow pilot Tich Palliser later recalled: “I saw his contortions, then I saw him straighten out and fly straight into the German aircraft… I was close enough to see his letters, as other pilots must have been who also confirmed the incident.”
Today’s ceremony saw the unveiling of a new memorial bench and display board near the crash site, on the new Barratt Homes development in Station Road. Burton’s family laid a wreath at the tree. The last post was played and a two-minute silence was held to remember Percy.
Guests were also able to view a detailed display of Burton’s life and final mission, painstakingly researched by Richard Goldsmith of Hailsham Historical Society.
He said: “It was a privilege to work on this display for today. It has taken me several months and we hope to find a permanent home for it after it appears at next week’s Nostalgia Fair.”
Burton, the son of the Rt. Hon. Henry Burton of Cape Province, South Africa, learned to fly while at Oxford before joining the RAFVR at the outbreak of war. He converted to Hurricanes in June 1940 and was posted to 249 Squadron at North Weald, just weeks before his fateful mission.
In recognition of his courage, Burton Walk in Hailsham and the town’s Air Training Corps Squadron carry his name and squadron number.
Councillor Steve Murphy said: “A lot of work has gone into this event and I would like to Thank Richard Goldsmith of Hailsham Historical Society for all the historical photos and Artefacts. Andy Saunders for the research and book he wrote about the heroic events of 1940. The Rev Rory Graham, St Mary’s Church, Lizzie Snowden of the local RBL Hailsham branch, Paul Murray from Bishops School Cape Town South Africa, Wealden Brass and Charlotte Radcliffe of Building Relations, who managed the whole project”
See the next edition of Hailsham News for more photos from the event.
