Friends have paid tribute to the outstanding bravery and good humour of a former RAF pilot from Solva who died recently.

Douglas Jackson Turner DFC, known as Doug to his wide circle of friends, died last month just a few weeks before his 91st birthday.

He learned to fly in America, and on returning to the UK joined No. 235 Beaufighter Squadron where he met his navigator and lifelong friend, Des Curtis DFC. They flew 72 operations together during the Second World War.

The squadron flew anti-shipping strikes at very low altitudes off the Norwegian coast. Then, in April 1943 Doug and Curtis were posted as founder members of 618 Squadron to RAF Skitten.

The squadron carried out low level attacks in daylight, and would fly mosquito aircraft carrying two bouncing bombs, code named Highball, a smaller version of those used by the Dambuster squadron.

Turner and Curtis were later posted to Cornwall to set up No. 618 squadron, special detachment, at RAF Predannack on the Lizard peninsular.

Uniquely equipped with a variant of the Mosquito called Tse-tse, armed with the Moulin’s 57mm six pounder artillery piece, their task was to catch U-boats as they were leaving or entering their bases on the French Atlantic coast.

The accuracy of Doug’s firing sank several enemy U-boats, tankers, trawlers and destroyers as he led a flight of six aircraft.

He and Curtis also played the game of delaying lift-off from the runway as long as possible so that the running, scattering labourers earned their danger money.

After the war Doug continued to fly from St Davids, and he later became landlord of the Cambrian Hotel in Solva. He was also an active member of the West Wales Aircrew Association.

Association member Frank Aimes said: “Towards the end of his life and despite increasing ill health, he remained amazingly good humoured and was wonderful company.

“Doug has now slipped the surly bonds but he has left behind the memories of a truly good, very brave man, greatly missed by his family and friends.”

Add your tributes to Doug Jackson Turner below.