A FORMER deputy director of the Women’s Royal Air Force has died, aged 94.

Group Captain Barbara Lumb, known to her friends as Sally, passed away at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on May 7.

She had spent the last decade of her life at the Rush Court Care Home in Shillingford Hill, near Wallingford.

Gp Capt Lumb was born near Halifax in 1916, and joined the Halifax Building Society after leaving school.

She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 for administrative duties and was commissioned in 1943.

After the war, she served in Egypt and Cyprus.

Upon her return to the UK she served with with Coastal Command, the Inspectorate General of the Women’s Royal Air Force and the Air Crew Selection Centre.

This was followed by time in Cyprus, and with Fighter Command, the Ministry of Defence and the HQ Training Centre.

She was appointed the deputy director of the WRAF in 1966.

She retired in 1971, spending much of her time in Haddenham, near Thame.

A keen tennis player, she was also heavily involved with the local church and Royal British Legion.

Her funeral will take place at Oxford Crematorium today at 2.30pm.