HEROIC brothers who became decorated pilots in World War Two will be honoured on the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on Monday - after a dedicated group of locals oversaw a project to ensure their legacies live on.

The Dundas brothers, John and Sir Hugh, grew up at Dale House in Cawthorne and an application was made to Cawthorne Parish Council and Penistone Ward Alliance requesting support for two commemorative plaques.

Funding was granted thanks to the two bodies’ approvals and the Chronicle can now reveal that an unveiling ceremony will be held on Monday - kick-starting a series of events to mark local heroes.

The plaques will be fitted on to the boundary wall of Dale House at a ceremony at 3pm.

Sharon Pitt, who has helped oversee the initiative with Derek Housley, told the Chronicle that it was important that Barnsley remembers the duo’s heroics.

“Theirs is a fascinating story and we’re honoured that some family members will be joining us on Monday,” she said.

“A friend of mine told me he’d been reading about the Dundas brothers and it was a familiar name - we have Hugh’s military kitbag at Cawthorne Museum and when I mentioned it to Derek, the blue touch paper was lit.

“I was determined to inform their family and managed to trace some on a peerage website.

“John sadly died in service at the age of 25 so didn’t have any children, but Hugh went on to have three.

“One daughter, Amanda, is still alive and she came up to Cawthorne a few weeks ago to see the plaques which was a lovely occasion.

“We’ve got people coming from all over on Monday, including Scotland, and we’re excited to mark something incredibly important on what’s also the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.”

During the Battle of Britain in 1940, John was ordered to collect a new Hawker Hurricane fighter from RAF Finningley.

He landed near Cawthorne the next morning and taxied to the Toll Bar end where he had coffee with his delighted mother and father at Dale House while a party of villagers turned his Hurricane around.

John took off and flew back to his squadron in the south of England before shooting down the German ace pilot Helmut Wick, who reportedly shot down up to 60 British planes.

However, John was shot down in service a few days later and killed near the Isle of Wight at the age of just 25.

His brother was called up early in the Second World War, serving with 616 Squadron flying Spitfires.

He was shot down on August 22, 1940 and wounded during the Battle of Britain, but returned to his squadron in September.

Through the summer of 1941 Hugh - following his brother’s death - frequently flew and gradually built his reputation as a competent fighter pilot and tactician.

By now an acting flight lieutenant, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on August 5, 1941.

In his post-war life, he became the air correspondent for the Daily Express newspaper and went on to become the director of Thames Television from its formation in 1968, serving as chairman from 1981 to 1987 when he received his knighthood.

He died at the age of 74 in 1995.

“He went on to live an extraordinary life and we just thought having two war heroes from our village was something to celebrate,” Sharon said.

“We’re thankful to Cawthorne Parish Council and Penistone Ward Alliance for their support and hope to see people coming to see the plaques.”

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis, who served in the armed forces, paid tribute to the local effort in securing the plaques.

“I am very pleased to see this fitting tribute to the Dundas brothers.

“They were two remarkable men who deserve lasting recognition and one of whom gave his life in the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe.

“The blue plaques will stand as a permanent reminder of their courage, sacrifice and the proud legacy they leave in Barnsley.”

MP Marie Tidball, whose constituency includes Cawthorne, said: “It’s a fitting tribute for a blue plaque to be displayed in Cawthorne to honour the sacrifice and service of the Dundas brothers.

“John’s heroic acts at such a young age and his ultimate sacrifice, and Sir Hugh’s lifetime of continued work should never be forgotten.

“I am so proud of our communities’ long history of defending Britain, including manufacturing used during Second World War from the David Brown works in nearby Penistone.

“John and Sir Hugh made an enormous contribution to our country and it is an honour to have two heroes heralding from our communities.”