大象传媒

This story has been submitted to the People's War website by Judie Krebs for the GMR Action Desk on behalf of Mrs Miriam Dewhurst, with her permission. The author is fully aware of the Terms and Conditions.

I remember Dad volunteering for the RAF at the age of 32. He was an insurance agent at the time, so Mum took over his book for a couple of years.

He was a wireless operator in the Battle of Britain, under terrible conditions. He was stationed in Norfolk and the bombs were coming over the Channel incessantly.

There was one curious incident in Norfolk. He was walking down a country lane when he saw a low-flying German plane which was firing indiscriminately. Dad flung himself to the ground till it passed over and when he got up again, he found a dog underneath him. He had obviously saved its life although he didn't know it was there at the crucial time.

He came home on leave once with what he thought was the 'flu, but he got worse and was diagnosed with meningitis. I remember visiting him at Crumpsall Hospital [now North Manchester General]. He was told not to have stressful conditions but he remained in the RAF, in the same job, for the rest of the war, stressful or otherwise. He's still with us now, and celebrates his 97th birthday on July 31st.

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