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This is part of a story my Mother gave me.

"It was at another such party that I met Lyn. He was an Observer (flying crew), and once again I was to be very privileged to know such brave caring young men as those we met during the war. Lyn was such a thoughtful young man who somehow won me over by 'just being himself' There were times when he was so patient with me when we were out walking. If it was a very starry night he went to great lengths to try to teach me about the different constellations which he himself as an Observer learned. Lyn always told me that all of the Air-crews had a certain philosophy that they should fill life to the full within certain rules which they all adhered to. We telephonists often wondered how much foresight these boys were equipped with. There were times when there was not a lot of chatter as normal which made one wonder whether they were sometimes a little bit afraid.

I can still recall just where we were on the evening when Lyn must have had some sort of premonition with regard to that night's Operation. We were walking through the park by the side of the river. Lyn was not at all like his usual self. He looked very tired and drawn as though he had not had very much sleep, or perhaps he had too many operational duties. When I think of this even today, I am more sure that Lyn had knowledge of a rather big flight which he was due to take part in.

That night he was 'missing, believed killed’. I would not want to go through that night again. It was awful, so I can understand what poor Lyn must have been going through.

Naturally I was forever asking myself whether I could really have been in love with Lyn, or was it all a dream? He was so thoughtful and kind. He would ride all the way from the camp at all times of the day, phone the exchange and ask to see me for just one minute. Then, when I had reached the bottom of the stairs, there would be Lyn with perhaps a bunch of snowdrops or violets or some little thing which he knew would please me a great deal. This would happen very often and it became quite a joke in the Exchange. The supervisor would say 'You are wanted downstairs - I'll give you just one minute!! When I returned there was always the same question - "Well what is it this time?" Lyn was that kind of fellow. If ever he went on leave to his home, there were always flowers sent to me "Inter-flora" and at other times I might receive a beautiful leather handbag or some other luxury article. He really was most generous. This was not, however, the only reason that I became so fond of him. He asked my mother to bank his money for him, which she often did, saying "you trust me with your money - I trust you with my daughter" He always respected her wish and was always mindful of me,

After the news about Lyn being missing, I nearly died. I thought that I would never stop crying and would burst into tears at the mere mention of his name or whenever I thought of him whilst doing my job on the switchboard. In fact, I think that my colleagues were all very sorry for me, but they did, at times, get a bit sick of my always bursting into tears. lt took some time for me to get over this There were many other loves in my life but none quite like Lyn.

It was later in the war that I met John. He was so gentlemanly and caring. Shortly afterwards we became engaged and towards the end of the war we were married. I was to be with John for the rest of my life. Over a year later our daughter, Jennifer was born. It was in my parents' house, for this was customary during the war-most children were born at home. John came home on leave for this occasion, and it was while he was out in town registering the birth of our lovely little seven-pound baby daughter, that my mother came into the bed-room and asked whether I could stand a shock? I had only just given birth and I was still rather tired. I told her that I was all right and looked from beneath the sheets. I really did need to stand a shock for there, standing just inside the door was Lyn dressed in Officers' uniform looking tall, bronzed and very good looking! I could have passed out there and then for, as far as I was concerned, he was still ‘missing believed killed’'
This on the very day that our daughter was born!

It was, I am certain now, just an act of fate. I was to see Lyn many times later - but never dreamed of such a thing at that moment. He was, as far as I was concerned, gone for ever.

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