Thomas Donald Little was born to John Douglas Little and Stella Hayward Little. He was married to Mary June Herron Little, of Hook Heath, Surrey.

He joined 611 (West Lancaster) squadron, which was a Bomber unit, flying with the Hart from June 1936. Thomas Little was granted the rank of Pilot Officer on 21 March 1938. Shortly after that, in April 1938, the squadron converted to the Hind bomber.

611 Squadron became a fighter squadron on 1 January 1939 and received Spitfire fighters in May of that year. they were stationed at Digby airfield in Lincolnshire.

611(West Lancaster) Sqn

P/O Little was promoted to Flying Officer on 21 September 1939. 

On 2 June 1940, 611 squadron, together with three other squadrons (31, 66 and 266 Sqns) where tasked with providing air cover over the beaches of Dunkirk where the British Expeditionary Force was being evacuated.

Around nine o 'clock in the morning they succeeded in intercepting an formation of German He-111 bombers, which were escorted by twin engined Bf-110 fighters of ZG76. A large air battle commenced, which was soon joined by numerous fighters of different German Geschwaders.

F/O Little was one of the Spitfires lost this day. His Spitfire crashed into the English Channel. F/O Little's body later washed up on the Dutch coast and buried at Castricum Protestant Cemetery, Plot J. Grave 2.

Castricum, The Netherlands

Sources:
The London Gazette
Donald Caldwell, The JG26 War Diary, Vol. I (London, Grub Street 1996)

 

Directions to Castricum Protestant Cemetery

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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