50 years ago the RNLI linked the Battle of Britain with the Isle of Man Fifty years ago this autumn, at a little before 10 o'clock on Tuesday 3 September 1940, the emotionless voice of an airfield controller scrambled a small group of 'the few' to face another wave of Nazi raiders during the Battle of Britain. He also set in train a coincidence involving the RNLI of the time and of more than a century before.

In this case, the few were from 603 (City of Edinburgh) Auxiliary Squadron, based at Hornchurch Aerodrome, east of London, and one of the eight Spitfires which faced more than 50 German fighters was flown by a young Pilot Officer, Richard Hope Hillary - the great, great, great, great nephew of Lt Col Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI in 1824.

As Hillary brought down one of the enemy fighters a terrific explosion shook his Spitfire, and the cockpit became a mass of flames. He passed out in the intense heat but regained consciousness as he felt himself falling through the air. Instinctively he pulled his parachute ripcord and landed in the English Channel, where his lifejacket kept him afloat.

Fortunately, Hillary's descent had been spotted by a Coastguard and at 1020 the 45ft Watson class motor lifeboat J.B. Proudfoot, on temporary station duty at Margate, was launched with Coxswain Edward D. Parker at the helm. The day was calm and the wind light, with a mist over the sea, as the Margate crew began their search.

Hillary gradually became aware of his severe burns and as the time passed slowly he assumed he was going to die. To hasten his end he unscrewed the valve of his Mae West, but he was still harnessed to his parachute and this prevented him from sinking.

Then he heard a shout and felt strong hands pulling him into a boat.

A voice said: 'OK Joe, it's one of ours and still kicking'.

The Margate crew had found him three-and-a-half miles from his reported position NNW of Reculver at 1145. The station honorary secretary, A.C. Robinson, was on board and he bandaged the pilot and administered brandy 'with wonderful results' as the lifeboat made for the shore with all speed.

Hillary lived to write the story of the rescue in his book The Last Enemy'* published in 1942.

In it he says: 'While in the water I had been numb and felt little pain. Now I was quite conscious and, as I began to thaw out, the agony was such that I could have cried out. It seemed to take an eternity to reach shore'.

In fact, the airman was landed at 1300, placed in a waiting ambulance and rushed to Margate hospital. The Margate crew, who had searched so patiently, visited him later in hospital. Their rewards for the service totalled £4.12s.6d.

Richard's father, Mr Michael Hillary, later wrote to the Margate honorary secretary: 'It would surely have afforded my ancestor, who founded the service, the liveliest satisfaction to know that his own kith and kin are numbered amongst those who have benefited by its wonderful work'.

Hillary recovered slowly, undergoing a number of operations by the pioneer of plastic surgery, Archibald Mclndoe. However he was desperate to fly again and, against all advice, joined a nightfighter squadron in Berwickshire at the end of 1942.

In the early morning of 8 January 1943 Richard Hillary and his radio-observer crashed and were killed on a training flight. He was just 23 years old. Hillary's ashes were scattered by aeroplane over the sea where the lifeboat had picked him up and a memorial service was held in London which was attended by two Margate lifeboatmen.

"The Last Enemy', published by Pan Books (ISBN 0-330-02406- X. price £2.99)..