Battle of Britain hero dies
by Angela Cole
acole@thekmgroup.co.uk
Maidstone's own Battle of Britain pilot, Jimmy Corbin, has died
at the age of 95.
Mr Corbin was one of Churchill’s “Few” who flew as pilots
in the skies over Kent during the Battle of Britain.
Made a Freeman of the Borough in 2010, Mr Corbin attended school in
the town, and after the war returned to work as a teacher at
Maidstone Technical School.
Cllr Dan Daley (Lib Dem), who had known him for 20 years, said: “He
was a true Maidstone man and a very modest man. It was an
incredible life if you consider it. He came from very humble
beginnings; the son of a plumber. I was proud to have known him and
also to have been able to sponsor his Freedom.
As an RAF Sgt, Mr Corbin logged 1,500 flying hours in Spitfires
and always remembered the ultimate sacrifice made by many
young pilots who served alongside him.
He told those assembled at the town hall to see him receive the
Freedom: “We were a very tight bunch of lads. We didn’t have time
to mourn. You either escaped it or you didn’t. Looking back, they
were great boys. It was a marvellous time of camaraderie and
friendship. I managed to live through it luckily. I have no
complaints whatsoever. I have had a wonderful life. I wouldn’t want
to do it again, mind you. I wouldn’t be that lucky.”
Mr Corbin, who leaves widow Jeanne, died at home in
Bearsted.
For full story see tomorrow's Kent Messenger.
13/12/12
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