WWII: Wing Commander Adrian "Warby" Warburton went missing

12th April 1944

Adrian Warburton was a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot during World War II. He became legendary in the RAF for his role in the defence of Malta. His gallantry was recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Bars and an American Distinguished Flying Cross.

Warburton was the pilot of one of two Lockheed P-38 F-5B reconnaissance aircraft that took off from Mount Farm on the morning of 12th April 1944 to photograph targets in Germany. After the pair separate he failed to arrive at the rendezvous point and was not seen again. Years of speculation about his fate came to an end in 2002, when his remains were found in the cockpit of his plane.