The Pilot Who Saved the Palace
On 15 September 1940, Sergeant Holmes was flying a Hawker Hurricane fighter when he spotted a damaged Dornier Do17 bomber of KG 76 flying up the Mail towards Buckingham Palace. Avoiding the bomber's return fire, Holmes made a head-on attack on the Dornier, however upon firing discovered his machine guns failed. Holmes decided to ram the bomber hoping his plane could withstand the impact and cut through it. He cut the tail off the bomber with his wing, causing the bomber to crash into the forecourt of Victoria Station. His Hurricane was badly damaged, so he bails out and watches his plane crash into Buck Pal Rd by Ebury Bridge. Ray lands feet first in a dustbin just off if Ebury Bridge.
In 2005 Buck Pal Rd was dug up and the Hurricanes engine recovered. The throttle was presented to Ray who was at the time a resident in an OAP home in Liverpool. The discovery was featured on the National Geographic Channel documentary, "The Search for the Lost Fighter Plane". When Ray was rescued he was treated to brandy in the Orange Brewery on Pimlico Rd. A London Taxi driver then took him back to RAF Hendon for free.
Ray Holmes died on 27 June 2005, aged 90, following a two-year battle with cancer.
Plane Engine Recovery Coordinates: 51°29'26.85"N 0°08'59.04"W
