This is a specially produced glossy bookplate bearing the original signature of Battle of Britain Nightfighter Pilot Archie McNeill Boyd.
Called up in September 1939, Boyd was posted in October to 2 FTS Brize Norton on No. 42 Course, which began on 9th October and ended on 23rd March 1940.
With his training completed, he arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 6th April 1940 and after converting to Blenheims joined 604 Squadron on 8th May and moved to 600 Squadron at Manston on 11th May.
On 30th September 1940 Boyd flew 600's first Beaufighter patrol, with P/O RC Haine. In November 1940 Boyd teamed up with P/O AJ Glegg, forming another of those long and successful night-fighting partnerships. From 16th to 28th December 1940 Boyd attended No.1 Blind Approach School at Watchfield, on No. 8 Course.
On 16th May 1941 Boyd and Glegg destroyed a Ju88, on 10th October a He111, on 2nd December another He111 and on 25th January 1942 a He111.
They were both awarded the DFC (gazetted 9th January 1942).
On 7th March they shot down a He115 within sight of the airfield at Predannack.
Boyd was posted to HQ Fighter Command as Squadron Leader Night Training in September 1942. He took command of 219 Squadron at Scorton in March 1943, again flying with Glegg. The squadron went to North Africa in early June 1943, became operational at Algiers on 30th June and on that day Boyd and Glegg shot down two Ju88s.