大象传媒

I was a farmer鈥檚 son from Winsford, Cheshire. I left school just after the war broke out. I worked for 3 years in the local bank, the Westminster and joined the ARP and Air Cadets during this time. I then joined up the Fleet Air Army and pilot trained at Sealand, Chester for twelve months before being sent to Kingston, Ontario, Canada for advanced training. We were delighted to find there was no food rationing in Canada! The English speaking Canadians gave us a warm welcome and when Christmas came around they asked families to invite us boys into their homes for the day. A friend and myself were amazed when we alighted the train to be confronted with 30 people who were all waiting for a boy to host. There were only the two of us for them! We kept in touch with the family we were joined with that day for quite a number of years afterwards. In fact, only about 5 years ago the daughter who I remember was at school at the time got back in touch with me which was nice.

Unfortunately, only a fortnight before I was due to gain my wings I became ill. Another low period for me was when I one of my good friends was killed in training. In fact, many trainees were killed and this is a sad fact overlooked by many.

I was transferred to the Air Force in the UK and started a course as a Flight Engineer. Then I was re-mustered to code and cipher in Calne, Wiltshire.

On VE Day I was on board a troop ship destined for Bombay where I was stationed for 18 months before being de-mobbed. Only a few days after my arrival, the atom bomb was dropped.

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