Squadron Leader Donald Stones, DFC and Bar, ‘Dimsie’ as he was known throughout the RAF was a remarkable man and pilot. He joined the RAF in 1939, in time to take part in the Battle of Britain. From then onwards he took part in the Battle of Malta, and went on to fight in the Burma Campaign. He flew 270 operational sorties, before he became a renowned test-pilot, firstly in Karachi, and then on secondment to Vickers at Wisley.
After an accident in which he lost an eye, the RAF grounded him, so he joined the Colonial service, serving as a District Officer. He found his way back to flying, following a fortuitous meeting with Sir Philip Mitchell, who made it possible for him to regain his pilot’s licence. He spent a large part of the sixties selling jet-fighters and other aircraft to the newly-independent African nations.
This autobiography charts his amazing story of a distinguished flying career which spanned forty years. This is a fascinating glimpse of his personal life and his view if the world as he saw it.
He met Churchill (albeit briefly), he was decorated by the King. He knew Idi Amin and many of the first politicians in the newly independent states of Africa.
I hear my children and their generation using words like epic, hero, and legend to describe many people and events that they come across on a daily basis.
Donald could rightly have justified using any of these terms to describe his life. He was a hero. His was an epic story. The Battles he fought have passed into legend.
at age of 19 had shot down five enemy aircraft over France, and four plus probable kills during the Battle of Britain. He became an acting Squadron leader before his 21st birthday.
I recently started writing an e- book that required some research in to the process of joining the RAF just before the war.
I remembered Donald’s book and pulled it out for the first time for many years. As I was browsing through it the thought occurred to me that it was sad that his story and so many like his were destined to be forgotten. Donald at least managed to make a mark by publishing his story.
At the end of Bograt he wrote: “To those few who survive, and to the many who did not return from battle…. My respects.”
Donald passed away in October 2002. He left two things to remember him by.
The books, and a bronze Labrador. You can visit the Squadron Dog at The Battle of Britain memorial , at Capel le Ferne, near Folkestone in Kent
The E-book, ‘ A Pilot’s Passion,’ authorised by Beryl, Donald’s widow, is an abridged and re-edited version of his autobiography, from his first solo flight, leading up to the Battle of Britain to his last meeting in Uganda with General Idi Amin who he was trying to sell jet-fighter-trainers.
You can get more background information about Donald at burtsbookclub.co.uk
10% of an profits generated by sales will be donated to the BBMF.
After an accident in which he lost an eye, the RAF grounded him, so he joined the Colonial service, serving as a District Officer. He found his way back to flying, following a fortuitous meeting with Sir Philip Mitchell, who made it possible for him to regain his pilot’s licence. He spent a large part of the sixties selling jet-fighters and other aircraft to the newly-independent African nations.
This autobiography charts his amazing story of a distinguished flying career which spanned forty years. This is a fascinating glimpse of his personal life and his view if the world as he saw it.
He met Churchill (albeit briefly), he was decorated by the King. He knew Idi Amin and many of the first politicians in the newly independent states of Africa.
I hear my children and their generation using words like epic, hero, and legend to describe many people and events that they come across on a daily basis.
Donald could rightly have justified using any of these terms to describe his life. He was a hero. His was an epic story. The Battles he fought have passed into legend.
at age of 19 had shot down five enemy aircraft over France, and four plus probable kills during the Battle of Britain. He became an acting Squadron leader before his 21st birthday.
I recently started writing an e- book that required some research in to the process of joining the RAF just before the war.
I remembered Donald’s book and pulled it out for the first time for many years. As I was browsing through it the thought occurred to me that it was sad that his story and so many like his were destined to be forgotten. Donald at least managed to make a mark by publishing his story.
At the end of Bograt he wrote: “To those few who survive, and to the many who did not return from battle…. My respects.”
Donald passed away in October 2002. He left two things to remember him by.
The books, and a bronze Labrador. You can visit the Squadron Dog at The Battle of Britain memorial , at Capel le Ferne, near Folkestone in Kent
The E-book, ‘ A Pilot’s Passion,’ authorised by Beryl, Donald’s widow, is an abridged and re-edited version of his autobiography, from his first solo flight, leading up to the Battle of Britain to his last meeting in Uganda with General Idi Amin who he was trying to sell jet-fighter-trainers.
You can get more background information about Donald at burtsbookclub.co.uk
10% of an profits generated by sales will be donated to the BBMF.
