Guy Branch
Guy Rawstron Branch, EGM (27 October 1913 – 11 August 1940) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and one of "The Few". He was killed in action on 11 August 1940. Since his death occurred before the introduction of the George Cross his next-of-kin were not given the opportunity of exchanging the insignia of the Empire Gallantry Medal for the new award. Early life. Branch was born on 27 October 1913 in London, the son of Charles Churchill Branch and Mary Madelaine Bernadette Branch (née Rawstron). He was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford . On 7 May 1937 he was commissioned as a pilot officer in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. On 25 March 1939 in Lewes he married Lady Prudence Mary Pelham, daughter of the 6th Earl of Chichester. Accident and award. On 8 January 1938 Branch was a student pilot was flying as a passenger in a Hawker Demon with Pilot Officer Crawley when it crashed and burst into flames at RAF Upavon. Branch escaped but then returned to the aircraft to free the trapped pilot and pull him clear. For his actions he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal on 25  March 1938, the citation reading: Battle of Britain. During the Battle of Britain Branch, by then a flying officer, was a Hawker Hurricane pilot with No. 145 Squadron RAF. On 8 August 1940 he was credited with destroying two Junkers Ju 87s. A few days later on 11 August 1940 while flying Hurricane serial number "P9251" on a mission to intercept German bombers, a large air battle took place off Cherbourg in which Branch was shot down and killed. Branch was buried in the churchyard at Quiberville, France. His name recorded on the Battle of Britain Monument in London, and  at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne.