Ellis joined Air Transport Auxiliary in 1941 and flew 1,000 planes in four years

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Mary Ellis, one of the last surviving British female pilots from the second world war, has died aged 101 at her home on the Isle of Wight.

She delivered Spitfires and bombers to the frontline after responding to a radio appeal by the Air Transport Auxiliary for female pilots.

Ellis, née Wilkins, joined the ATA in 1941 and flew about 1,000 planes over the next four years, including 400 Spitfires and 47 Wellington bombers.

After the war, Ellis moved to the Isle of Wight and managed Sandown airport from 1950 to 1970.

She married fellow pilot Don Ellis in 1961 and continued to live in their home beside the runway at Sandown after his death in 2009.

Ellis was awarded the freedom of the Isle of Wight earlier this year, and was described by the council leader, Dave Stewart, as a “national, international and island heroine”.

Other surviving female second world war pilots include Eleanor Wadsworth, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, Nancy Stratford, who lives in the US, Jaye Edwards, who lives in Canada, and Ethel Elizabeth Sharpe, who lives in Truro, Cornwall.

Tributes have been paid to her on social media by fellow pilots including the Red Arrows flier Mike Ling.

Mike Ling MBE (Red 3) (@MikeLingPilot) More awful news. RIP Mary Ellis. A legend of the Air Transport Auxiliary. Over 1000 aircraft; 76 different types and over 400 Spitfires alone. I hope you’re enjoying a well-earned sherry up there with Joy Lofthouse again. Blue skies Ma’am #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/1v0yCbniJG

The TV presenter Dan Snow said he took his children to meet her last week, when Ellis shared her thoughts about the Spitfire. She described it as her favourite aircraft at her 100th birthday celebrations last year, saying: “I think it’s a symbol of freedom.”

Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) Mary Ellis, one of Britain's greatest aviators, died yesterday at age 101. Last week I took my kids to meet her. My boy clasped a model plane. She asked what it was. 'Spitfire' he whispered. She leaned down and shared a few private thoughts about the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/iMO1DxOhtl

The author and former RAF navigator John Nichol described Ellis as a “truly remarkable lady”.

John Nichol (@JohnNicholRAF) Very sad to hear that WW2 ATA pilot Mary Ellis has died aged 101. A truly remarkable lady, she flew 400 Spitfires & 76 different types of aircraft during WW2. Another giant leaves us to john her heroic friends in Blue Skies. Rest in peace Mary; you truly deserve it. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/br00jZxGiu

The author and historian James Holland said it was “traumatic” to see how fast Ellis’s “amazing generation” of pilots was slipping away.

James Holland (@James1940) First Tom Neil, then Geoff Wellum and now the wonderful Mary Ellis. Three flying legends gone, just like that. It’s really quite traumatic how fast that amazing generation is slipping away. I feel more than wistful. pic.twitter.com/XEZZAh4kmQ

The youngest Spitfire pilot in the second world war, Geoffrey Wellum, who was 18 when he joined the Royal Air Force in 1939, died last week aged 96.

The Battle of Britain pilot Tom Neil also died earlier this month, aged 97.

Ellis was born in the village of Leafield, Oxfordshire, in 1917.

The Royal Flying Corps had an active presence in the county, and Ellis enjoyed flying aircraft for pleasure up until the war began in 1939, and all civilian flying was banned in Britain.

After coming to terms with the possibility of being unable to fly again for a long period, two years into the war, Ellis heard the ATA’s appeal for female pilots.

Women were allowed to fly military trainer and communications aircraft from 1940. A total of 168 women served in the ATA during the war; 15 died in the line of duty.