RAF Pilot Getting A Haircut Between Missions

Via: warhistoryonline

This image, made popular by sites like Pinterest and Reddit, shows a Royal Air Force pilot nonchalantly getting a trim while sitting on a runway, book in hand and pipe in mouth. The juxtaposition of the men's relaxed appearance in the midst of war - fighter plane just feet away, combined with rich color saturation make this image a powerful reminder of humanity's tenacious grip on normalcy, regardless of circumstance.

The pilot's name was Francis Mellersh, an RAF man for over 30 years, twice awarded Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross and recommended for the Victoria Cross. Perhaps he learned a few tricks from his father, World War I ace Sir Francis Mellersh, who is reported to have been in the sortie which brought down the Red Baron.

Fun Fact: The book Mellersh is reading in the photo appears to be Greenmantle, a tale of espionage written by John Buchan and published during the war.