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Arthur Faulkner joined the RAF in 1939. He trained as an electrician for four years and preformed a number of tasks including keeping batteries charged and providing stage lighting for concerts in the camp.
He flew in a Sunderland Flying boat and was involved in teaching polish airmen to fly, using a link trainer. There were a few communication problems as Arthur couldn’t speak Polish and the Poles couldn’t speak English, but they could all speak German.
One-day an officer came into an air-craft hanger and told a corporal to switch off that “‘so and so’ radio”. To which the corporal replied “It isn’t the radio sir, its Sergeant Faulkner teaching the Poles to fly on the link trainer.”
The officer was so impressed that and told that Sergeant Faulkner to report to the office in the morning, saying “We need men like you for the secret service”.
Newbold Revel was the first destination — a short course and sworn to secrecy — those who did talk disappeared. On to Cheadle out post (a listening post) then to Chinksands Priory.
Then on to Bletchley Park for the last four years, the happiest time of his life. Gazetted in Kew record office as Flight Leutenant-Comander no. 1048 Squadron A.T.C Leamington Spa.

In January 2002 Mr Faulkner was given the freedom of Bletchley Park in recognition of his work during World War II and the vital part he played in the work of the secret service.

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