Age, Biography and Wiki

Tom Neil (Ginger) was born on 14 July, 1920 in Bootle, England, is a Thomas Francis Ginger" Neil, was British aviator, fighter pilot. Discover Tom Neil's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 97 years old?

Popular As Ginger
Occupation N/A
Age 97 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 14 July, 1920
Birthday 14 July
Birthplace Bootle, England
Date of death 11 July, 2018
Died Place N/A
Nationality

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 14 July. He is a member of famous fighter with the age 97 years old group.

Tom Neil Height, Weight & Measurements

At 97 years old, Tom Neil height not available right now. We will update Tom Neil's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Wife Not Available
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Tom Neil Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Tom Neil worth at the age of 97 years old? Tom Neil’s income source is mostly from being a successful fighter. He is from . We have estimated Tom Neil's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income fighter

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Timeline

1920

Thomas Francis "Ginger" Neil, (14 July 1920 – 11 July 2018) was a British aviator, fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force.

Neil flew during the Battle of Britain, and shot down 14 enemy aircraft during the Second World War.

Neil was born in Bootle, England, on 14 July 1920.

He had a keen interest in aircraft as a child and also played cricket and football for local teams.

His family moved to Manchester when he was 16, and he attended Eccles Secondary (grammar) School where he was awarded an art prize for a drawing of an aeroplane.

1937

After taking the School Certificate in 1937 he started work at the District Bank in Gorton while training to be a pilot with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR).

Neil had wanted to attend the Royal Air Force College Cranwell but his parents did not approve of his plan.

1938

Neil joined the RAFVR on 17 October 1938 at the age of 18 and was called up to full-time service at the outbreak of the Second World War.

1939

He was posted to No. 8 Flying Training School on 1 December 1939 and was commissioned as a pilot officer on completion of the course.

1940

He was posted on 15 May 1940 to No. 249 Squadron RAF, which was an operational fighter squadron based at RAF Church Fenton in which he flew Hurricanes from RAF North Weald during the Battle of Britain alongside Tich Palliser.

Neil recalled that the 12 Hurricanes in the squadron were permanently ready to scramble and that the pilots were simply instructed to shoot down as many enemy aircraft as possible and avoid getting shot themselves.

The enemy aircraft he destroyed with the squadron included six Messerschmitt Bf 109s, two Heinkel He 111s, a Messerschmitt Bf 110, a Junkers Ju 87, a Junkers Ju 88 and a Dornier Do 17.

Neil flew 141 combat missions during the Battle of Britain but his only serious mishap was on 7 November 1940 when he had a mid-air collision with another Hurricane and lost the rear section of his aircraft.

This rendered it uncontrollable, but he managed to bail out and survived with a minor leg injury.

Asked in an interview how he survived so many missions virtually unscathed, he said that in addition to being very lucky and spending a lot of time ducking and weaving, it is important in aerial combat to have the sensitivity to know instinctively what is around you and he was lucky to have that ability.

Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 October 1940 and was awarded a Bar to the award on 26 November 1940.

1941

He embarked with No. 249 Squadron on HMS Furious (47) on 10 May 1941 and sailed for Gibraltar, and on arrival the squadron transferred to HMS Ark Royal (91).

The squadron flew to Ta' Qali on 21 May to take part in the Battle of Malta and he shot down a Macchi C.200 fighter on 12 June 1941.

On 26 December 1941 Neil left Malta and in 1942 he became tactics officer for No. 81 Group, then he served with No. 56 Operational Training Unit and was officer commanding No. 41 Squadron.

1950

He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1950s and retired from the RAF with the rank of wing commander in 1964.

After retiring from the RAF, Neil returned to the United States to lead a British consultancy company in Boston.

1967

He returned to Great Britain in 1967, settling in Norfolk where he became a director in the shoe industry, and later became secretary of his local Chamber of commerce.

1975

Neil took part in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in which he took to the skies in the largest formation of Spitfires and Hurricanes seen in British skies since the Second World War.

The formation consisted of 40 aircraft and flew a route around southern England in the areas which saw the most aerial activity during the war.

1980

He retired in the early 1980s.

2010

He then became liaison officer to the US 9th Air Force's 100th Fighter Wing.

This posting led to the award of the Bronze Star Medal.

2018

Neil died on 11 July 2018 aged 97.

Neil wrote a number of books on his experiences: