Robert Turner Deighton Mercer was born in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London, England on 12 June 1916, the son of Alexander and Ethel Mercer. His father was a surgeon.

Robert worked for the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation Ltd in Rochester, Kent and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1939 as an Airman Pilot under training.

When the Second World War broke out, he was called up on 1 September 1939. He completed his Elementary Flying training at 22 EFTS, Cambridge, then the Advanced course at 5 FTS, RAF Sealand before joining 609 Squadron, Middle Wallop flying the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I on 26 October 1939.

Robert took part in the Battle of Britain, becoming one of ‘The Few’.

He died on 9 May 1941, on patrol over Dungeness in Spitfire IIa (P7305) when he was attacked by German Messerschmitt fighter aircraft. Trailing smoke he attempted a forced landing at St Margaret’s Bay. Tragically his aircraft struck a concealed landmine, and he was killed, aged 24.

Robert was buried in Hawkinge Cemetery on 16 May 1941, Plot O, Row 2. Grave 42. His funeral was interrupted by German fighters strafing the airfield, but his comrades continued the slow march, calling the enemy’s actions ‘very bad form’.

The engine and propeller of Robert’s Spitfire were recovered in the 1990s and are now displayed in the nearby Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge.