Price, Ben

Benjamin (Ben) Leslie Price

Australia 267977

RAF Spitfire Pilot and instructor

RAAF Squadron Leader (Temporary)

Born 27 September 1918

Joined the RAF at Brough UK on 23/9/1937 as a pupil pilot for one years training, Class A Reserve of Air Force Officers.

Posted to many areas of operations. He started as a Flying Officer in 23/3/1940 and was a flying instructor at this time.

In March 1941 though he had been promoted to Flight Lieutenant and was in the thick of it on a war footing. During this time he flew Spitfires and trained pilots during the Battle of Britain for the RAF. Later in the war he flew out of Darwin.

He helped bring the Spitfires down to Southern Queensland at the end of the war and was based out of Strathpine.

Last day of service and retained rank of Squadron Leader 19/9/1946. Class A release.

His flying days were not to end there and he saw service in the Korean war where he flew transports (in his Reserve role) during the end of that War. On one of his missions he oddly enough found that one of his passengers was his very injured brother in law.

He later flew with Lufthansa and Qantas up until retirement.

Much of his war exploits has been lost and we welcome any further input from those who served with Ben.

His son in law Kenn Batt the Senior Meteorologist in Canberra remembers Ben with affection and said that, "Up until the end he was a member of the Spitfire Association here in Oz and loved it. He was simply a great man".