John Lecky was born in Yokohama, Japan where his father was Language Officer at the British Embassy. He was educated at Highfield Preparatory School, Liphook, Hampshire and Wrekin College. He entered the RAF College, Cranwell in April 1939 as a Flight Cadet and was commissioned in March 1940.

His first posting was to an army co-operation squadron and from there he joined 610 Squadron at RAF Biggin Hill in August 1940, moving to 41 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch on 1^st October 1940.

One of “The Few”, he was shot down in combat with Me109's on the Friday 11^th October and although he bailed out of his aircraft he was subsequently killed at the age of 19. His Spitfire, P9447, crashed at Preston Hall, Maidstone, Kent. John is buried at Tilford (All Saints) Churchyard, Surrey.

Only child of Lt-Col John Gage Lecky & Marion Dorothy Hume Lecky of Lower Bourne, Surrey.

John is commemorated on the Battle of Britain memorials in London & Kent.

'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'
Winston S. Churchill: 20^th August 1940

A copy of John's story is available to download here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:- P/Officer John Gage LECKY