‘The Boy Slade' The RAF’s Youngest Bomber Pilot of World War Two - 12 February 2026
Just before his 16th birthday in 1940, Brian Slade falsified his age to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. Days after his 17th birthday he was awarded his ‘wings’ and was posted to his first squadron flying the venerable Vickers Wellington. There he gained the nickname ‘The Boy Slade’.
Though Brian’s wartime RAF journey mirrored the experiences of tens of thousands of young men, what was unique, was that before he had turned 18, which was the minimum age to begin aircrew training, Brian had already completed thirty-four operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for nursing his damaged Wellington home from an operation to Bremen.
Undaunted, Brian soon volunteered for his second tour of operations. He joined the Lancaster-equipped 83 Squadron in the newly formed 8 Group, becoming an experienced Pathfinder skipper. It was a role in which he marked targets in the Battle of the Ruhr, the bombing of Hamburg and the Peenemünde raid.
The RAF’s Youngest Bomber Pilot of WW2, told by his nephew, details all of Brian’s fifty-nine operations and captures his compelling progress with Bomber Command,
"The relentless dangers, not just in operations but also in training, and the continuous loss of life, are drawn into sharp focus. But, on account of his age, Brian’s story is unique. There may have never been, nor will ever be, an RAF pilot of 19 years old with his flying and operational experience."
Join Graham Waterton in the Museum to find out more, as well as describing his Uncle's operational career, he will reveal the most enjoyable part of his research, which was the people his Uncle flew with, many of which had remarkable stories, some tragic but all inspiring.
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Just before his 16th birthday in 1940, Brian Slade falsified his age to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. Days after his 17th birthday he was awarded his ‘wings’ and was posted to his first squadron flying the venerable Vickers Wellington. There he gained the nickname ‘The Boy Slade’.
Though Brian’s wartime RAF journey mirrored the experiences of tens of thousands of young men, what was unique, was that before he had turned 18, which was the minimum age to begin aircrew training, Brian had already completed thirty-four operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for nursing his damaged Wellington home from an operation to Bremen.
Undaunted, Brian soon volunteered for his second tour of operations. He joined the Lancaster-equipped 83 Squadron in the newly formed 8 Group, becoming an experienced Pathfinder skipper. It was a role in which he marked targets in the Battle of the Ruhr, the bombing of Hamburg and the Peenemünde raid.
The RAF’s Youngest Bomber Pilot of WW2, told by his nephew, details all of Brian’s fifty-nine operations and captures his compelling progress with Bomber Command,
"The relentless dangers, not just in operations but also in training, and the continuous loss of life, are drawn into sharp focus. But, on account of his age, Brian’s story is unique. There may have never been, nor will ever be, an RAF pilot of 19 years old with his flying and operational experience."
Join Graham Waterton in the Museum to find out more, as well as describing his Uncle's operational career, he will reveal the most enjoyable part of his research, which was the people his Uncle flew with, many of which had remarkable stories, some tragic but all inspiring.
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