| As war clouds gathered over Europe in October 1939, a dozen German bombers headed towards the Scottish coast intent on attacking the pride of the British fleet, HMS Hood.
Scrambled to defend this surprise raid were the young pilots of the Auxiliary Air Force who, just weeks before, had been working in their civilian lives as farmers, accountants and lawyers.
With little practical combat experience but plenty of courage the reservists found themselves in an air battle that would prove a wake up call for Britain.
Spitfires from 603 (City of Edinburgh) and 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadrons took to the air and for one young pilot it was a flight straight into the history books.
Flight Lieutenant Patrick Gifford, leading a three strong section, encountered the Junkers 88 dive bombers and in the ensuing air battle, became the first pilot to be credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft in Britain's airspace in World War Two.
Dashing and handsome, Gifford went on to become a Squadron Leader defending his country against the Luftwaffe many more times before being killed in action over Belgium just seven months after the attack on the Firth of Forth.
Now 70 years after his final sortie, the courage of this young man is to be commemorated with the publication of a biography written by Bill Simpson who has also been instrumental in bringing a permanent memorial to the pilot to his home town.
![]() On Sunday May 16th people from Castle Douglas in South West Scotland will gather in the town to unveil the new memorial and remember a man who worked alongside his father in the local family legal firm which still bears his name but who lost his life defending his country.
Bill Simpson, who has worked tirelessly to create this memorial, will launch his book 'Spitfires Over Scotland; First Blood to the Auxiliaries, the Life of Squadron Leader Patrick Gifford' with a talk and book signing at the Douglas Arms in Castle Douglas at 7.30pm on Friday May 14th.
Meticulously researched by an author already steeped in RAF history, 'Spitfires Over Scotland' describes the almost double life of a man in his prime, alternating between the quiet life of a country solicitor and the excitement of an Auxiliary pilot between the wars.
“He was something of a daredevil” explained Mr Simpson, “ He had a passion for fast cars and taking chances. One story tells of a bet he made that he could set off in his car from the clock tower in Castle Douglas, drive to RAF Turnhouse near Edinburgh and be back over the tower in his 'plane in under two hours. He won the wager with only minutes to spare!”
The author of 'Spitfire Dive-Bombers versus the V' and co-author of 'The Greatest Squadron of Them All', a history of 603 Squadron, Mr Simpson was attracted to writing about Patrick Gifford not only because of his claim to fame but also because of his complex character.
In 'Spitfires Over Scotland' Mr Simpson not only describes Patrick Gifford's legal and aviation career but also examines his life as a Squadron Leader and isn't afraid to ask questions about how successful he was in this role. The mysterious circumstances of Gifford's death, his body was never found, are also examined in this finely written book which is published by GC Books of Wigtown and available from this website price £12.99.
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