SP(BB)17 Warrant Officer Clive Hilken AE

It doesn't matter how famous a pilot is with this series, as the only criteria is that they are a Battle of Britain pilot, even with the briefest career details Hilken has a marvelleous story. He was posted to No 74 Squadron in August 1940, and so typically of the time was posted to RAF Wittering only to find that the squadron had moved to Kirton-in-Lindsey. Once No 74 moved to Biggin Hill in mid-September they were in the thick of the action and Clive was shot down and baled out in late October 1940. Clive was later forced to baled out again, and in June 1941 while still with No 74 Squadron he was shot down on a fighter sweep over St Omer, baled out for a third time and taken POW.

Warrant Officer Clive Geoffrey Hilken AE
Hand signed 5in x 7in photograph - numbered and certified on reverse.

The late Clive Hilken was always a interesting character, not least in that he was very modest, which meant there was so much more to know - the third time he was shot down was on the same fighter sweep which Mungo-Park did not return.