His name was Rene Mouchotte and he was a Free French Second
World War pilot. The former newsreader Jan Leeming first came across him when
she chose to sponsor a name on the Battle of Britain memorial in Kent. Having
been given his name, she turned detective.
He died at the age of 29 after yet another battle in the
skies. His grave was in Paris. Not knowing how to contact any living family,
Jan left a note on his grave. Four months later she was contacted by Rene's
sister, now aged 101.
He died at the age of 29 after yet another battle in the
skies. His grave was in Paris. Not knowing how to contact any living family,
Jan left a note on his grave. Four months later she was contacted by Rene's
sister, now aged 101.
Jan found out that the sister had never received his war
medals after the war. More detective work. Because he had used an alias name
for safety (as the German's had announced they would execute any Free French
flying in the British Air Force), his medals had never been properly dealt
with.
Three weeks before Rene's sister died, she was presented
with his medals - the
Croix de Guerre and Legion d'Honneur from the French and the Distinguished
Flying Cross from the British.
An
amazing end to an incredible story of one of the many who gave his all for our
freedom.
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much
owed by so many to so few."
Winston Churchill
