Blue plaque unveiled at home of ‘Spitfire girl’

A BLUE plaque has been unveiled in Benson to commemorate the life of one of the “Spitfire Girls” of the Second World War.

Freydis Sharland was a pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary and flew planes between factories and airfields as part of the war effort.

She was one of about 160 women working for the ATA and after the war earned her RAF pilot’s wings.

The plaque was unveiled at her former home, Chalkstone Cottage in Brook Street, where she lived for 33 years.

The ATA was created at the start of the war to ferry new, damaged and repaired aircraft without radios or instrument flying equipment.

Between 1943 and 1945, Mrs Sharland flew 38 different types of aircraft, including Wellington bombers, Vickers, De Havilland Mosquito combat aircraft and Supermarine Spitfires.

On one mission she flew 4,000 miles to deliver a Hawker Tempest V to Karachi in Pakistan but on arrival was denied access to the officers’ mess because she was a woman.

After the war, Mrs Sharland became a commercial pilot.

In 1954 she became British Air Racing Champion, competing against 16 men. The following year she became the founding chairwoman of the British Women Pilots’ Association. Mrs Sharland gave up flying to bring up her children but later returned to it and flew microlights well into her old age.

She lived in Benson from 1981 until her death on May 24, 2014, aged 93.

The plaque was unveiled by her son Charlie and daughter Angie Stanbury and Bev Reardon, of the British Women Pilots’ Association.

Mrs Reardon said: “Legendary names such as Freydis Sharland, Mary Ellis, Lettice Curtiss, Eleanor Wadsworth and Joy Lofthouse were all former ATA pilots and BWPA founder members.

“They were also visionaries who, in thought and deed, were way ahead of their time.

“In honouring Freydis Sharland we pay tribute to a true aviation pioneer, a trailblazer and role model for women in flight. May her legacy inspire us to dream big, fly high and never lose sight of the limitless horizons that await us.

“Her courage, resilience, flying skills in the face of adversity earned Freydis the respect and admiration of all who served alongside her, regardless of gender or value.

“When the war came to an end in 1949, Freydis had accumulated 607 hours, 25 minutes’ ride time, and became a freelance commercial pilot, gaining her licence and RAF wings badge qualification.

“Freydis spent most of her life encouraging people to fly. Her warm kindness and unwavering dedication to her craft endeared her to all who had the privilege of knowing her, leaving an enduring legacy of friendship and camaraderie that transcends borders and generations.”

George Verdon, a friend of Mrs Sharland, said: “We became very good friends. I found her a warm-hearted, kind person with a mischievous sense of humour.

“Nevertheless, behind her charm was an indomitable spirit. She was a very determined lady.”

Mrs Sharland’s son, Charlie, said: “As a child, I grew up with a good woman, a strong woman, as a mother.

“A loving mother, a mother who did really expect you to be good at what you do and to complete what you do.

“As I tell my son Josh, when I talk about the things that mum said, you have got to take responsibility. You’ve got to contribute to the world and you should care for people.

“One time on a drive to Skiathos we were parked in a service station in Yugoslavia and opposite was a VW Beetle full of a family of probably six.

“Mum was the one that wanted to invite some of the children to sleep in our car that night.

“Dad was more practical, so it didn’t happen, not by a long way, but we lived in a house where things were expected to happen.

“Sadly, as children, you were never allowed to get away with things. We didn’t have a trendy mum that would lie for you, which meant you had to go to school every single day.

“It’s wonderful to see that she is remembered because if there are younger people here I would say, ‘Listen to what your mum and dad say because when they’re gone, it’s all gone’.”