Flags at North Weald Airfield have been lowered to half mast in tribute to a Battle of Britain pilot who died.

Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon, who flew a 56 Squadron from the airbase during World War Two, died aged 101 on Friday, December 6.

His death was publicly announced yesterday, (Monday, December 9) and was one of only four remaining members of The Few - a group of 3,000 airmen who defended Britain’s skies for three-and-a-half months.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Maurice Mounsdon was one of only four remaining pilots who were part of "The Few" from World War Two

Epping Forest District Council posted a tweet of the touching gesture to Mr Mounsdon, saying: "Flags are at half mast at North Weald Airfield in memory of Battle of Britain pilot Flt Lt Maurice Mounsdon who died at 101. He flew with 56 Squadron from the airfield during WWII. 56 Squadron was awarded Freedom of Epping Forest District in respect of their courage in action.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute on Twitter, saying: "We mourn the passing of Maurice Mounsdon. We should never forget that it was thanks to the bravery of this tiny band of pilots that Britain - and the rest of Europe - was safe from tyranny."

The battle in 1940 against the Nazis would claim the lives of 544 RAF pilots and aircrew, with a pilots’ average life expectancy during this period being just four weeks.

Head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, said Mr Mounsdon's bravery should never be forgotten.