Mary Ellis, the last surviving pilot of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and a celebrated World War II heroine, has died aged 101 on the Isle of Wight. Known for delivering more than 1,000 Spitfires and bombers to RAF airfields during the war, Ellis was a key figure in British aviation history.
Councillors on the Isle of Wight honoured Mary Ellis with the Freedom of the Isle of Wight in recognition of her extraordinary service during the war. Her contributions were vital to the success of the RAF and the overall war effort.
Born Mary Wilkins, she joined the ATA in 1941 after responding to a radio advertisement seeking female pilots. Equipped with only a compass, stopwatch, and map, she ferried a variety of aircraft, including the iconic Spitfire and Wellington bomber, across the United Kingdom. Her efforts helped keep RAF pilots flying and supported the wartime mission.
After the war, Mary Ellis settled on the Isle of Wight where she managed Sandown Airport. Despite reaching the age of 101, she remained active and engaged with the aviation community. In May, she was honoured with an RAF100 reception at Number 10 Downing Street, where RAF cadets formed a guard of honour as she departed. Just weeks before her passing, she received a standing ovation at the premiere of the film “Spitfires.”
Mary Ellis’s death marks the end of an era as the final ATA girl. Her courage, dedication, and pioneering spirit helped shape British aviation history. The Isle of Wight community and the nation will remember her as a true wartime pioneer and an iconic pilot.
Originally published by UKNIP.
