A pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain has been added to the exclusive list of Churchill’s famous ‘Few’.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust confirmed that, after extensive research, 563089 Sergeant Donald Brown qualifies for the list, and therefore the Battle of Britain Clasp.

He now joins the other 2,940 estimated airmen referred to as the 'Few' who fought the crucial battle for supremacy in the air during the Second World War in 1940.

While new claims continue to be heard, it is rare for an airman to be admitted to the ranks of the Few as the criteria are strict.

But the trust, which runs the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel Le Ferne, Folkestone, began to investigate Sgt Brown's claim after a historian discovered his name when researching the battle.

And during its investigation the trust recognised evidence that Sgt Brown, who flew Blenheims with No 604 Squadron during the battle and later became a Flight Lieutenant, had flown operational sorties that would qualify him for the clasp.

Two historians and Sebastian Cox, Head of the RAF’s Air Historical Branch, were then contacted to consult on the matter.

After a lengthy investigation, Mr Cox concluded the evidence was strong enough for Sgt Brown to be added to the list of aircrew who participated in the battle.

Trust chairman Richard Hunting said: “It is a privilege to be able to add another name to the list of those remarkable men who kept this country safe from invasion in 1940.

“It is not clear why he has been disregarded until now, apart from the lack of firm information in the squadron records.

"The trust is delighted to be able to put the record straight."

RAF records show that Donald Brown was born October 25, 1912, in Glascoed, Monmouthshire, Wales.

He married Kathleen Newland in 1954, with the pair going on to have two daughters. His final job before retirement was as a clerk working for a sail makers and upholsterers business.

He died at Horning, Norfolk on December 31, 1993 at the age of 81.

He will be awarded the Battle of Britain Clasp posthumously.

To qualify for the Clasp, airmen had to fly at least one sortie with one of 71 squadrons and other recognised units between July 10 and October 31, 1940, the dates officially recognised as the Battle of Britain.

The term the 'Few' comes from Winston Churchill's phrase "Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few."

Sgt Brown's name will now be included in the updated Men of the Battle of Britain entries online and in the electronic version available to visitors of The Wing visitor centre at the memorial.

It is also possible his name will be added to the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall - also found at the memorial in Capel le Ferne - in due course.

An appeal is now under way to find any relatives of Sgt Brown who may be able to add more detail to the story.

Anyone with information should email trustsecretary@battleofbritainmemorial.org.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone