Giles and Tim Carbury never knew their grandfather, Brian Carbury DFC*, who died in 1961. However, they always wanted to visit the Town Headquarters of 603 Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force in Edinburgh where their grandfather served as a Spitfire pilot and subsequently shot down no fewer than 15 enemy aircraft many during the Battle of Britain. Brian Carbury, born in New Zealand, joined the RAF in 1937. He was posted to 603 Squadron in 1939 to help train Auxiliary pilots on the newly delivered Spitfires. On the 31 August 1940, he shot down five enemy aircraft becoming an ‘Ace’ in a day, one of only five RAF pilots to achieve this feat.
Giles and Tim, who lives in Majorca, had travelled to Scotland especially to visit Edinburgh and learn some of the history of their iconic grandfather. The Commanding Officer of 603 Squadron, Sqn Ldr Derek Read, and Gavin Davie, Director Scotland of the RAF Benevolent Fund, jointly hosted the visit at the Town Headquarters that was also attended by some members of the Squadron Association.
Giles and Tim Carbury with Gp Capt Bob Kemp, President of the 603 Squadron Association, in front of the uniform and memorabilia of Sqn Ldr George Denholm DFC AE, Commanding Officer of 603 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. Photo Ralph Frew