Neville Duke only joined the Royal Air Force as a cadet in 1940, yet he would end the war as one of the country’s most renowned flying aces. He destroyed 28 enemy aircraft during the war, having progressed quickly through the ranks to the extent that he was commanding 145 Squadron in Italy aged only 22.

Unlike many of his friends, Neville would enjoy a long career as a test pilot, initially with the RAF and then with Hawker Aircraft Ltd. In due course he graduated to chief test pilot and between 1949-50 broke several flying records.

But it is his air speed record for which he is best remembered. On 7th September 1953, an excited crowd gathered over the shingle beach at Littlehampton as Neville Duke attempted to break the record set by American Lt Col WF Barnes in an F-86D Sabre. Flying a red Hawker Hunter, he achieved a speed of 727.48mph in a timed run offshore, beating the record by just 12mph and falling only 33mph short of the sound barrier on that occasion.

Neville Duke would live until the age of 85, having gained many awards including the Gold Medal of the Royal Aero Club and a Queen’s Commendation. He would also write several popular books, with Sound Barrier, Test Pilot and The Crowded Sky among the best known.

And now, a plaque has been placed on the wall of 15 Causeway in Horsham, where Neville Duke lived for two years from 1962. The plaque was officialy unveiled by Air Chief Marshal Sir David Cousins KCB AFC on Saturday, 8th June. Also present was Group Captain David Baron, Chairman of the Trustees of Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Gwendoline Duke, widow of the famous pilot, and former Test Pilot Duncan Simpson.

Air Chief Marshal Sir David Cousins said: ”What can I say about this man who has so profoundly affected my life.
“There is a rather contemporary and overworked epithet; a legend in his own lifetime.’ Very few people deserve that and I would submit that Neville Duke is one of those.

“He was responsible for a generation of people wanting to join the Royal Air Force. It is impossible for today’s generation to realise that in those days after the war test pilots had the same standing and were so well known in society, that they were like the rock stars and footballers of the modern day.

“Neville Duke was a household name and I grew up reading his books. But he was a fighter ace of extraordinary ability. He was the top scoring ace in the Mediterranean with a DSO (Distinguised Service Order) and three DFCs
(Distinguished Flying Cross), the AFC (Air Force Cross) came later, by the time he was 22. Few of us had finished training at that age. He was also damnably good looking as well!

"He was a fighter ace and was acknowledged by his peers as being that. He came to national prominence as a test pilot. You have to remember that in 1952-53 there were no less than 38 British aircraft being designed, in
prototype, being tested or being flown. We’re lucky if we get one built or designed now.

“This meant it was also an extraordinarily dangerous time. Between 1946 -1952 there were no less than 86 fatalities in the test pilot fraternity because they were pushing into the sound barrier and flying aircraft that had been built very quickly. The RAF recognised the courage of these people by paying them £20 a week!

“In every sense this was a man who was an exemplar for people like me. What is so lovely is that I joined the Air Force 20 years after he did and my great delight was joining 92 Squadron, which was Neville’s first squadron. The aura of Neville Duke was all around me, which is why I’m thrilled to be here today. This plaque has been very well earned.

“He was a man who I think set the standards of the day. He was also probably the role model for Dan Dare in Eagle, which is perhaps the highest accolade of all!”

The ceremony and plaque was organised by Causeway resident Antony Fletcher, who said: “This is a very special occasion because Neville Duke was first of all a very brave fighter pilot, responsible for shooting down 28 enemy
aircraft, and then of course he became a famous test pilot.

“He was a remarkable man and it seems appropriate that there should be a plaque on the house where he lived with his wife all those years ago. We should be proud that he lived here in Horsham, even if was only for a year or so.”

Sarah and Helen, daughters of Terry and Mary Binns who lived at Number 15 for nearly 50 years, presented flowers to Gwendoline Duke during the ceremony. Tangmere Aviation Museum provided support for Anthony in organising the plaque and you can visit the museum to see the Hunter Hawker in which Neville Duke broke the air speed record.

Visit the Tangere Museum Website here