A FORMER Spitfire pilot from Farnham has been honoured at a reception at Biggin Hill Aerodrome for his services to the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

Hans Eigil Heyman, who is now a client of Right at Home GF, was one of nine Danish men who trained as an RAF Spitfire pilot, having come to Britain to get his wings and support the war effort.

Among many Danes to settle in Britain after escaping occupied Denmark, Mr Heyman was so keen to play his part in the war that he forged his father’s signature on his enlisting form, enabling him to sign up aged just 17.

At the reception in May, representatives of the RAF awarded Mr Heyman with framed photographs of himself as a young pilot with his Spitfire, a medal and Spitfire memorabilia.

Mr Heyman was accompanied by his wife and chatted with the staff and guests at the event, making the most of the opportunities to share memories and remember old friends.

Mr Heyman’s Right at Home care giver Jan Frazer said: “Being able to take part in the presentation meant a great deal to Mr Heyman and it has triggered the recollection of many stories and anecdotes which I feel privileged to have heard first hand.”

Many Danes settled in the UK before and during the war and together formed the Free Danes, an organisation which recruited people for the Danish and British armed forces.

After considerable efforts to raise funds and and work with the UK government, they provided the finances and personnel for three Spitfires for 234 Squadron, which became known as the Danish Squadron.

After the war, Mr Heyman graduated with a degree in biochemistry at Cambridge.

He was invited to do research in Copenhagen and helped to solve the Krebs cycle before coming back to Britain to make Farnham his home.