Lived To The Age Of 101

The ranks of women pilots who flew during WWII has been reduced by one. Mary Ellis, who delivered spitfires and bombers to the front lines during the war for England's Air Transport Auxiliary has Gone West at the age of 101.

ITV News reports that Ellis passed away at her home on the Isle of Wight late last month. She had responded to an appeal on the radio for women to become pilots, and joint the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1941. The reportedly flew about 1,000 planes during the war.

Ellis retired to the Isle of Wight after the war. Earlier this year, she was awarded the freedom of the Isle of Wight. Council leader Dave Stewart described Ellis as a "national, international and island heroine.”

Ellis was born in Oxfordshire in 1917. The had taken up aviation as a hobby, and flew until the war began and a civilian aviation ban was enacted. So when she heard of the opportunity to fly with the ATA, she became one of 168 women to answer that call.

Among those paying tribute to Ellis on social media was RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, who tweeted: “Another terrible loss. Mary Ellis, pioneering female aviator, Air Transport Auxiliary veteran, an inspiration to generations.

”I'll always remember her proudly reminding us at RAF100 events that she was older than the RAF itself! RIP Mary."

Ellis was the subject of the book "A Spitfire Girl" by Melody Foreman.

(Image from "A Spitfire Girl" Facebook page)

FMI: Source report