Full name: Douglas Bader Born: 21st February 1910 Place of Birth: St. John's Wood, London Occupation: Royal Air Force Fighter Pilot Died: 5th September 1982

Sir Douglas Bader was a renowned Royal Air Force fighter pilot during World War II and was born on the 21st February 1910 at St. John's Wood in London but spent much of his early life in India.  After returning to the United Kingdom, Bader joined the RAF at the age of 11 and seven years later, he won a scholarship to Cranwell. 

Bader graduated from Cranwell in 1930 and  was posted to No. 23 Squadron.  Bader took part in aerobatics and performed various displays with the RAF including the RAF Display at Hendon until he was involved in a serious crash at Woodley Aerodrome, which resulted in the amputation of both his legs.

However, Bader was able to walk on artificial legs within six months of the accident and was determined to return to flying, but a medical board decided he was not allowed to return to the RAF.  As a result, Bader worked for the aviation department of Asiatic Petroleum Company and took up golf, which became a life long hobby. 

In 1939, Douglas rejoined the RAF after retraining at the Central Flying School and was posted to No. 19 Squadron at Duxford and flew the Supermarine Spitfire.  Bader was posted to No. 222 Squadron and experienced action over Dunkirk. In June 1940, Bader was promoted to Squadron leader and made commander of No. 242 Squadron.  Bader improved his squadron's morale and the squadron achieved success when they claimed 12 enemy aircrafts and by the end of 1940, Bader's Squadron had shot down 67 enemy aircraft. 

Douglas actively led larger squadron formations in the Battle of Britain and formed the Duxford Wing, which lead to his promotion in March 1941 to lead the fighter wing at Tangmere.  After suffering problems with his artificial legs, Bader left the RAF in 1946 and worked for Shell, which involved flying the company's aircraft until he became Managing Director.

Bader retired in 1969 and became a member of the Civil Aviation Authority, a supporter of the RAF museum and set up a foundation to support injured servicemen.  Bader died suddenly in 1982 as a result of a heart attack, but has left a lasting legacy through the release of his own book 'Reach for the Sky' and film about his life, which he released shortly after leaving the RAF.