A Royal Air Force pilot from Stanmore who flew during the Second World War has taken his final flight.

Ken Beeby died aged 97 at a hospice in Arizona, USA, earlier this month after a heart attack.

He leaves behind his daughters Anne and Bonnie, son Alex and daughter-in-law Carol.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in Stanmore, Ken lost his father at an early age. With the family struggling to make ends meet, Ken’s mother sent him and one of his brothers to boarding school.

At the age of 18, Ken joined the RAF and worked his way up to the position of pilot. England sent many of its pilots to the United States for training, and in 1942 Ken found himself at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona.

Besides many hours in the Stearman and AT-6 Texan aircraft, Ken flew the famous Tiger Moth, Typhoon and Spitfire planes back in England.

After the war and ten years in the RAF as a flight lieutenant, he returned to Mesa where he met his wife Doris.

Ken was heavily involved in the running of the annual memorial for RAF pilots killed during training at Falcon Field, and also contributed to a number of projects centred on the air force.

He was described as a “vibrant, kind person” and a friend to many, with his legendary stories set to be sorely missed.

A service will be held on September 24 at the Church of Epiphany in Tempe, Arizona.