A LIFESAVING box has been installed on the side of a British Legion building in memory of an RAF Spitfire pilot.

The Royal British Legion club in Spring Lane, Abingdon, is now home to the town's latest public defibrillator.

Abingdon Lions Club, which fundraises for various causes in the town, donated the medical equipment in honour of former club member.

It is the 11th defibrillator that the group has funded, and the fourth to be installed in Abingdon, with the other seven given to community first responders in the ambulance service.

In early July a defibrillator at the Abbey, funded by the club, was used to save someone's life.

Defibrillators administer an electric shock to recover a heartbeat, and having access to one can mean the difference between life and death in the crucial first moments of cardiac arrest.

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Abingdon Lions Club spokeswoman Carrie-Anne Thompson said: "We install these defibrillators but really, we hope that they are not needed. However, it made us feel proud knowing that our hard work saved someone life.

"Without the support and donations from people over the last 37 years we would not be able to do what we do."

The newest defibrillator was donated in honour of Frank Allen, who died last year aged 89.

Mr Allen was a former RAF pilot who flew Spitfires, Mosquitos, Brigands, Canberras, Meteors, Venoms, Vampires and more.

Ms Thompson said: "He was very intelligent and spoke several languages including Russian, German, French and Italian.

"Frank was also an active member of the Abingdon Lions, Abingdon and Wantage Twinning Associations.

"He was also a proud father and grandfather."

A touching eulogy on the Lions' website says: "Frank used to tell many an exciting tale, of dramatic and heroic landings on one engine, or no engines, on far-flung airfields in the desert."

The club's first defibrillator was donated to Abingdon Rugby Club, while the second is outside Pablo Lounge in Bury Street.