George Morley Fidler May 19th 2026. Burial in London Cemetery Extension France

We want to share a deeply moving and historic update of a local fallen hero.

Following the recent discovery in Oisy-le-Verger, France, where engineers uncovered the remains of Squadron Leader George Morley Fidler—found seated in the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane almost 86 years after being shot down—the story of this young man from Great Ayton has taken on renewed significance.

George, just 27 years old, was the son of George and Christiana Fidler and served as a pilot with 607 Squadron. His aircraft, Hurricane P3535, was brought down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over France on 19 May 1940, where it buried itself in the ground with George still inside.

In light of this remarkable discovery, the Society will be updating George’s story as part of our annual Remembrance Day memorial plaques at Christ Church.