Douglas Bader under went Officer training at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, then got posted to No 23 Squadron to fly the Gloster Gamecock.  In 1931, Bader crashed his aircraft  in a foolish stunting flight where he sustained terrible injuries to his legs. As a result of this accident Bader had both his legs amputated and was fitted with two artificial legs.
  With the onset of World War 2, Badgers obstinacy was rewarded and he was allowed to re-enlist in the RAF, he was readmitted for flying duties in 1939 and, on 7 February 1940, he joined No.19 Squadron flying spitfires.
Promoted to flight Lieutenant, Bader was transferred to No. 222 Squadron as flight commander, achieving his first kill, a Bf 109, on 1st June 1940. A succession of victories and promotions quickly followed, leading to Douglas receiving the DFC in early 1941.  With the RAF now on the offensive, Douglas was promoted to Wing Commander, in charge of three spitfire squadrons at RAF Tangmere. In the course of several sweeps over France, he shot down three 109s and shared another. He downed numerous other aircraft until, during one engagement his Spitfire collided with  his German opponent. After bailing out, Bader was quickly captured by the  Luftwaffe, who held him until the German army arrived. Causing havoc throughout  his internment, Bader was sent to Colditz for the rest of the war.
  Bader left the RAF in 1946 and took up a position with Shell Oil which involved him flying around the world. When he retired form Shell in 1969, aged 59,  Bader was given his aircraft as a retirement gift, a Beech 95 Travelair.
Douglas Bader DFC, died in 1982 after a highly courageous life.

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