RAF Woodvale chiefs have paid tribute to former Southport spitfire hero

RAF Woodvale chiefs have paid tribute to former Southport spitfire hero Percy Procter. They said: “We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Peter ‘Percy’ Proctor. “Percy was an inspirational individual known to many here at RAF Woodvale and his passing will be felt by all.

“Stationed overseas for large parts of his career, his selfless service to his country, at the time of its greatest need, was an example to us all.

“His sense of duty carried on through his life, exemplified by his parachute jump which raised money for the RAF Association which provides welfare support to servicemen and their families.

“The Station Commander at RAF Woodvale, Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) David Hooton (47) spoke to Percy after he recently left hospital.

“His indominable fighting spirit, like many of his generation, was to the fore,” Wg Cdr Hooton said.

“Percy’s death is felt keenly by current serving RAF personnel, but it is also a loss to the nation as yet another link to the generation who fought and tri- umphed in the skies during the dark years of the Second World War is lost.

“He was a fantastic example to the trainees of the two University Air Squadrons (UAS) based at RAF Wood- vale. Liverpool (LUAS) and Manchester & Salford University Air Squadrons (MASUAS) are currently training the next generation of potential RAF recruits.”