A heroic Spitfire pilot who gave his life during the Second World War to save 1,000 children still inspires youngsters 80 years later.
On March 24 1943, Flying Officer Raimund Sanders Draper steered his fighter away from their school when his engine failed after take-off.
He stayed in the cockpit to make sure it didn’t hit the school in Hornchurch, East London, now named after him.
The American volunteer, then aged 29 and with RAF No 64 squadron, directed the Spitfire into the playing field saving the lives of the pupils but losing his.
Yesterday the school then known as Suttons Senior School, paid homage to his sacrifice by unveiling a plaque.
Tom Fitch was aged 14 when the plane crashed.
In 2021, aged 91, he recalled the terrifying moment. He said: “We heard this buzzing, whirring sound and then the teacher shouted for us all to get down.
“Then there was an almighty crash. There was no holding us back then, we all ran outside and saw the devastation.
“The aircraft was completely upside down. It’s hard to describe. If the plane had hit the school it would have been absolutely catastrophic.”
A month ago Sanders Draper school was judged “good in all areas” by Ofsted after embracing local history.
Headteacher Stuart Brooks said: “There is still a very sense that Raimund Sanders Draper is still a strong source of inspiration for us all at this school.
“We are extremely proud of our local community, of our brave former soldier Ian Fisher and local heroes Joy Caldwell and Eric Lock and the others that continue to inspire our students today.”
Locla boy Ian, 42, a warrant officer with the 3rd Battalion The Mercian
Regiment, was killed in Helmand, Afghanistan, in November 2013. Joy Caldwell was an
Operations Room worker at RAF Hornchurch during the war. It was a key centre during the Battle of Britain.
Joy once bravely returned to work after being injured by a bomb.
Eric Lock, based at RAF Hornchurch with No 41 squadron, became the RAF’s top ace during the Battle of Britain, downing 21 aircraft.
Mr Brooks added: “Ofsted have taken note of the importance we place on celebrating those who have had a
positive impact on our community.”
Inspectors said students enjoy earning “hero points” as part of a school house system celebrating local heroes.
They are encouraged to be brave and resilient with a school motto to be an “everyday hero”.
