Neville Duke
Squadron Leader Neville Frederick Duke DSO, OBE, DFC amp Two Bars, AFC, FRAeS was a British test pilot and fighter ace of the Second World War. He was the most successful Western Allied ace in the Mediterranean Theatre, and was credited with the destruction ofenemy aircraft. After the end of the war, Duke was acknowledged as one of the worlds foremost test pilots. In 1953, he became holder of the world air speed record when he flew a Hawker Hunter at 727.63160mph over Littlehampton.
Duke was born in Tonbridge, Kent, and educated at the Convent of St Mary and The Judd School in Tonbridge. One of the four houses at Judd is now named after him, following the reinstating of a house system to the school in 2008. He started working as an auctioneer and estate agent before attempting to join the Fleet Air Arm on his 18th birthday. He was rejected and joined the RAF instead as a cadet in June 1940.
Source: Wikipedia