大象传媒

It was spring of 1942. Our Officer was a fairly young Irish man whom everyone called Paddy - behind his back of course! He was quite jolly and came into my Group's office quite often and sometimes I would see him coming off the Oxford Train at the weekend. I heard a whisper that he had been posted and felt sorry about his going. However, the morning he was actually due to go, he came in my to my Group, presumably to say cheerio, and when I went to shake hands he said 'No, you are coming with me.' At that I said the only words which came into my mouth which was 'No I'm not!' and then he chipped in and said, 'Yes you are - go and get fitted out with your new working trouser suit and meet me in 20 minutes at 'A' Flight'. I was in a daze, but quickly did as I was told. Within minutes two other girls joined me who were also coming - where we didn't know. Apparently, we were the only girls who had asked if there was any chance of a plane trip - and this was it!

The plane, an Anson, was waiting for us in its parking place with the pilot already seating, but waiting for Paddy who was soon seen running towards us and was very quickly climbing aboard. We girls were seated and the pilot, with his rows of blue on his cuffs, indicating his high rank, was ready for the 'off'. Paddy soon took off his jacket, his tie, then rolled up his sleeves. We wondered what on earth he was going to do next, but we sooned learned. The plane was such an old warrier that the engine had to be manually revved up - and he had to do it which was a hard and exhausting job. We finally taxied on to the runway and was soon in the air. I was so thrilled and excited. I had to stand up in the middle of the plane and look out of the windows both sides not to miss anything. Below us I spotted a train, and to this day I can still see it in my minds eye - it was beautiful - just like a caterpillar pulling its rear up behind it. I often think of it.

We finally arrived at Cottersmore, our destination and to say goodbye to our Irish friend. We were told by the welcoming party to make our way to the General Mess where we could have a good meal before our return journey. We thanked the pilot who we later heard had been one of 'the few' in the battle to save our country. He was a very charming, polite young man and I hope he was lucky enough to get through the rest of the war unscarred, and has had a very good life since - as I have.

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