This is a specially produced bookplate featuring the rare and genuine signature of Battle of Britain fighter pilot Innes Westmacott. The bookplate has been created using recycled sepia card with an original graphite and white pencil drawing by Steve Teasdale. After converting to Hurricanes Westmacott joined 56 Squadron at North Weald on 3rd August 1940. He shared a Me110 and damaged another on the 18th, destroyed a Me110 on the 26th, shared a Do17 on the 27th and destroyed a Me110 on the 30th.
Westmacott was shot down by Me110s whilst attacking Do17s over the Blackwater Estuary on the 31st. He baled out, badly burned by his reserve tank blowing up. After landing in a clearing in a wood at Little Baddow, Westmacott was taken to Chelmsford Hospital. He returned to 56 Squadron later in the year.
In early April 1941 Westmacott was on HMS Ark Royal, heading for Malta. He led the second flight of six Hurricanes off on the 3rd and joined 261 Squadron. He claimed a Me109 destroyed on 28th April and a He111 probably destroyed on 6th May.
'C' Flight of 261 provided the nucleus for 185 Squadron, reformed at Hal Far on 12th May 1941 and Westmacott was appointed 'B' Flight Commander.
On 13th May Westmacott was shot down and baled out, wounded in the elbow. He returned to duty on 30th July but was made Fighter Controller and then Senior Intelligence Officer at Luqa. He protested in November 1941 and asked to go back to flying duties.
When the Malta Night Fighter Unit was re-named 1435 (Night Fighter) Flight on 2nd December Westmacott was given command. During the night of 8th March 1942 he probably destroyed a Ju88 and on 21st April he damaged a Me109, firing from a ground machine-gun post at Ta Kali.