F/Sgt. Clive G. Hilken was born in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
He joined the RAF in 1939 when he was 19 years old.
Five days after being posted to 74 Squadron at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, in Lincolnshire, in August 1940, he tasted his first action. By the time Clive was posted to the squadron, the Battle of Britain was in full swing and the Tigers were in the thick of the fighting. His Spitfire was shot down over Tonbridge, in Kent, during his first dogfight.
After parachuting into an orchard, the pilot was confronted by a farmer armed with a shotgun who thought he was a German.

He returned to the squadron in 1941 after time in hospital to have shrapnel removed. Several months later he was again shot down by a Messerschmitt, while on patrol over Maidstone, Kent. This time he was not badly injured and was back flying within weeks.

After six successful sorties over mainland Europe, the pilot was again forced to bail out after being attacked over France while on a fighter sweep over St Omer. Badly wounded, he landed in a field and was just about to be rescued by French villagers when he was set upon by enemy soldiers.
He spent the rest of the war in hospital and then German prisoner of war camps.

After the war, Clive Hilken became headteacher of the school at RAF Geilenkirchen, in Germany, and then Le Cateau Junior School, at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
Mr Hilken died of bronchial pneumonia and heart failure, aged 85, leaving a wife Nesta, daughters Vanessa and Deborah, and grandchildren Matthew, Joseph and Trevor.
Flight Sergeant C. G. Hilken's funeral took place at 10.15 am on 5th January, 2005, at Darlington Crematorium.