Douglas Bader at the old Spitfire Museum

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Date:1977

Description:Photograph taken at the old Spitfire Museum, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

The photograph was taken during a visit by famous World War Two fighter pilot Douglas Bader.

He is the man in between the two ladies.

The event is possibly some kind of ceremony undertaken by the RAF in honour of the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

The old Spitfire Museum was built in 1971.

About Douglas Bader

In 1931 the RAF pilot suffered horrific injuries in an aircrash, resulting in amputations on parts of both legs. He was forced to leave the RAF on a disability pension.

He went on to recover, and with the aid of artificial limbs he rejoined the RAF to fly during World War Two.

He quickly climbed the ranks and became an inspirational leader and skillful strategist.

In 1941 he became a prisoner of war after colliding with a German plane over France.

He spent the rest of the war a prisoner and ended up in Colditz after attempts to escape.