Flight Lieutenant 33508 Charles Mervyn Burfield of 257 Squadron, was born in the Uckfield District in June 1920, the son of Doctor Thomas Burfield, M.B., B.Ch., and Anne Catherine Glenny.

He joined the Royal Air force in 1939; his entries in the London Gazette include: -

19th January 1940, that, as an ex-Flight Cadet (he is) granted a permanent commission as Pilot Officers on probation, as of the 23rd Dec. 1939.

21st January 1941, records his promotion to the war substantive rank of Flying Officer, as of the 23rd of December 1940.

28th February 1943, to Flight Lieutenant, Flying Instructor.

On 28th of February 1943 he was flying a 257 Squadron Typhoon 1b, serial number DN295, from Warmwell airfield in Dorset. During the flight, the engine failed, and the aircraft crashed about five miles east of Colerne, Wiltshire. Charles was killed in the crash and is buried at Heathfield.

His probate records that his estate of £2848-14-7d go to spinster Catherine Mary Burfield and farmer Edred Thomas Burfield, (his siblings); his address is given as Mounces, Heathfield. Charles is remembered on Epsom College Roll of Honour.

His death was reported in the Kent & Sussex Courier for Friday, the 12 of March 1943, as follows......

"HEATHFIELD. YOUNG AIRMAN’S DEATH."

"At All Saints’ Church on Thursday the funeral took place of a young local airman, Flight Lieutenant Charles Mervyn Burfield, R.A.F., who died on active service. He was the fourth son of the late Dr. and Mrs. T. Burfield and was educated at Epsom College and Cranwell College. He entered the R.A.F. and was a flying instructor at the age of 20 under the Empire Training Scheme."