- Contributed by听
- ericmarsden
- People in story:听
- Eric Marsden
- Location of story:听
- RAF Hucknall,Nottingham RAFVR Town Centre, Lincoln,Scampton
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A1947350
- Contributed on:听
- 01 November 2003
In 1939 I was eighteen, an apprentice fitter at Plowright's, Colliery Engineers, in Chesterfield. I'd been keen on aeroplanes since I saw my first one in about 1924 or 5, a Bristol Fighter, which flew overhead quite low, and the chap in the back office waved at two small boys below - my brother and I.
This interest continued through my teens, and since it was quite obvious that the violent changes occurring in Europe were likely to continue and probably result in war, I decided to join the RAFVR as soon as I was of age. An opportunity came up in May '39, when I was able to attend an Empire Air Day display at RAF Hucknall, where the Nottingham RAFVR Centre had a recruiting table. I collected the application forms, and got them filled and co-signed by my parent and employer, who had to agree to release me for two weeks each year for "Summer Camp". Then I waited, whilst things grew steadily worse on the Continent.
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