Joy Lofthouse - RIP

Joy Lofthouse was one of only 164 women who were allowed into the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the conflict.

The group, dubbed the “Attagirls” by their admiring male colleagues, were based in White Waltham in Berkshire and flew Royal Air Force and Royal Navy planes between factories and military airfields across the country.

Though not allowed to fly in combat, they were occasionally caught up in dogfights and many of them were killed by bad weather.

Of all the planes Joy was trained to fly, the Spitfire was her favourite. In May 2015, she flew one for the first time since the end of the war to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

An example to all - RIP