FLYING OFFICER PERCY BURTON

On the weekend of 13 September 2025, a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Flying Officer Percy Burton, highlighted in the ODU August 2025 Newsletter, was held at 12h30 at Hailsham, East Sussex. The event was organised by Southern Counties construction company as they are developing the area in which Percy was killed in action during the Battle of Britain on 27th September 1940 and wished to keep the memory of his heroic action alive. Dr John Wyatt, OD, officially represented the OD Union on this occasion and laid a wreath on behalf of the OD Community.  Dr Wyatt was wearing the OD Union Centenary tie from 1996.  Present were the great grand nephew and niece of Percy, Sean and Despina Learmonth, the children of Dr Ian Learmonth (1962F).  

John Wyatt reports:

It was obvious that the town of Hailsham regarded Percy with great admiration as not only did the Town Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Wealden Distrct Council attend, but the local MP and East Sussex Lord Lieutenant, the King’s representative, were also present. In support we had Wealden Brass, an amateur Hailsham band and a guard of honour of local RAF Cadets (249 Squadron, Percy’s Squadron) with their Standard and the Royal British Legion.

It was particularly poignant by having some of Percy’s family present, Sean, Despina and Jamie Learmonth, and they were treated with great respect and obvious immediate affection. The Service was split into two parts after an initial introduction and prayer by the vicar of Hailsham Parish Church. Firstly, to one side of the site is a large oak tree into which Percy’s Hurricane crashed and has since been known as the Percy Burton Oak. Under the tree is a Cross at which a prayer of dedication, the Last Post, 2-minute silence and wreath laying was conducted. Secondly, in the middle of the park adjacent to the housing construction, a park bench with inscription and separate information plaque was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant.

Despite the weather of sunshine and heavy showers, the Service went extremely smoothly and we didn’t get too wet as a marquee had been erected near the new bench and plaque. I have every confidence that the people of Hailsham occupying the new housing estate will continue to remember a brave pilot who died in the service of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. There are already several reminders with street names of Percy Burton, Ross Frame and Hurricane Way appearing.

For a report from BBC News please click HERE.  

For a video outlining the Percy Burton story, please click HERE.

The wreath laid by Dr John Wyatt, OD, in honour of the ODU.  The wording on the plaque is:

A previous article on Percy Burton on the ODU website, reported that due to technical reasons, Percy Burton had not been awarded the Victoria Cross for Valour, which from many circles both civil and military, this might have been done. 

Percy Burton had displayed the ultimate signs of valour.  

Percy Ross Frames Burton was a Pilot Officer in the RAF.  He attended Bishops from 1931 to March 1935, and was killed in action amidst circumstances of great gallantry.  He died when his Hurricane crashed after heroically pursuing an enemy plane on 27th September 1940, at the age of 23, over Sussex. 

Clearly he gave up his life Pro Fide et Patria.

Youngest of the eight children of The Hon. Henry Burton and Mrs. Helen Burton of Voorspoed farm, Retreat, Cape Town, Percy matriculated from Bishops in the 1st Class at the end of 1934, and was a member of the Ten Club (a society consisting of the top ten academics in the school).  After a short spell in the Post Matric Class, Percy went to Cape Town University, where he graduated at the end of 1937, with a Distinction in Roman Law and Jurisprudence for which he was awarded a medal.  He then went to Oxford and whilst there was a member of the Air Squadron for a year before war broke out - he was given a commission. Percy finished his training at the end of June and after ten days' leave joined a Fighter Squadron. It is good to know that, writing to his mother, he said: "I have never been as happy in all my life before." 

The following account (by William Burton, Percy's brother who also lost his life fighting in WWII) of Percy's fateful moment flying his Hurricane over the county of Sussex, was used by the Air Ministry as a communique: "Bishops must know almost as soon as his family with what conspicuous gallantry Percy sacrificed his life. On 27th September Percy's Fighter Squadron went on to engage huge Hun bomber formations attacking London. Percy selected a Hun bomber which he proceeded to chase south. Near the Sussex coast he engaged the bomber under the gaze of a Sussex town population who have been responsible in recounting these details. During the engagement it appears that Percy exhausted his ammunition. It also appeared afterwards that Percy had been severely wounded during the action in the air." 

"No sooner had his guns ceased firing than his Hurricane was seen to climb high above the fleeing Hun.  Indeed, he belongs to that particularly distinguished and gallant generation of Royal Air Force men who have already made and are making history. We are so immensely proud of him. Strangely enough, he lies now in a small Sussex churchyard very near the grave of Erskine Tanner."  

The following passage from the published account speaks volumes: "He selected a bomber for attack and it at once broke formation and fled; with Burton after it. The Squadron Commander states that he lost sight immediately of the bomber, but knew that it could be regarded as a casualty if Burton had engaged it." 

The ODU is extremely grateful that Dr Wyatt was present to represent the ODU and lay a wreath at the commemoration ceremony.

It is most heartening to know that Percy Ross Frames Burton, Bishops War Hero, is being honoured in this way. 

Percy Burton who was killed in action as a RAF pilot in 1940. (Photo courtesy of Mrs Italia Greig, neice of Percy).

A powerful artist's impression showing the ultimate sacrifice by Percy Burton of 249 Squadron as he rams the Stab-V LG1 Bf110C of Horst Liensberger/Albert Koepge. (Photo Credit: https://samilhistory.com/tag/percy-burton/)

 The plaque currently on display at the site at Halisham where F/O Percy Ross Frames Burton died. 

Guests seated at the commemoration ceremony for Percy Burton (Photo credit: Laura Murphy).

Councillor Steve Murphy on the right, Sean Learmonth to the left, in Conversation.  Steve Murphy was the point person between the event at Hailsham and Bishops Archives (Phot Credit - Despina Learmonth). 

Despina Learmonth at the road sign at Hailsham: Percy Ross Frames was a close friend of the Burton family, after whom Percival Ross Frames Burton was named (Photo: courtesy Despina Learmonth).

Sean Learmonth at the road sign at Hailsham named after Percy Burton, the brother to his Grandmother (Photo courtesy of Despina Learmoth). 

The Wealden Brass Band playing at thecommemoration service (Photograph credit: Laura Murphy).

The memorial cross at the site where Percy crashed, in sacred honour of his life given in service (Photograph credit: Laura Murphy).

The Guard of Honour of local RAF Cadets (249 Squadron, Percy’s Squadron) with their Standard and the Royal British Legion (Photograph credit: Laura Murphy).

The Memorial Bench in Hailsham, in honour of Percy Ross Frames Burton (Photo credit: Laura Murphy).  The Royal Air Force Ensign, the official flag that is used to represent the Royal Air Force is draped over the memorial plaque (see above), subsequently unveiled.

The Chair of the Wealden District Council Gavin Blake-Coggins and his wife Anne, also a Wealden District Councillor after the unveiling of the memorial plaque (photo credit: Laura Murphy).At the war grave of Percy Ross Frames Burton are The Reverend Trevor, retired vicar of Tangmere and is the Military Chaplain to the Aviation Museum. He is dressed in his 1940’s uniform  as he was attending the Goodwood revival festival nearby on Sunday; and the Burton descendants, Jamie Learmonth, and his son Kai with Jamie's cousin, Despina Learmonth (photo credit: Despina Learmonth).  Percy is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Tangmere, Sussex.  Councillor Steve Murphy took Despina and the family to Tangmere where The Reverend Trevor Marshall offered a graveside prayer to the life of Percy, a special closing moment for the family.

Vignette at the site, of the story of Percy Ross Frames Burton (Credit for sending: Despina Learmonth).

From the publication at www.britainatwar.com

From the publication at www.britainatwar.com

From a publication on aviation history - unknown.