News

On VE Day, we would like to share the story of Sergeant Ian MacPhail, who lost his life, aged only 24, flying RAF cover for the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940. He was a former St George's pupil, but we had very little information about him in our records, beyond a prize that he was awarded and news of his first job.

He had joined the RAF in 1939 and was employed by Olby and Son Builders Merchants, in King Street, Ramsgate. He was acting as an Observer.

On the 29th of May 1940 at 11.31am his crew took off from Detling in Blenheim IV L9401 LA-L to attack enemy troop columns St Omer, Calais and Dunkirk. The aircraft failed to return.

His body was washed ashore in his home town of Ramsgate and he was buried at St Lawrence Church.

Filmmaker Phillip Day contacted the school last year as he was doing research for his new documentary. Phillip included Ian's story in the new documentary that can be seen on YouTube :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v39E8QZVtGY