"In 1940 during the Battle of Britain No.87 Squadron pilots were billeted in Walton House, a large old coaching inn on the High Street of Northleach. From July to November 1940 they flew Hurricanes from a landing strip situated between Northleach and Bibury, the ground crews being housed in tents there. Amongst the pilots were some famous names like Ian “Widge” Gleed, Roland Beamont, Derek Ward, Dennis David, Roddy Rayner and Laurence Thoroughgood. Flight leader Ian Gleed wrote the Battle of Britain book ‘Arise to Conquer’ and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross."
