- Contributed by听
- dafiellis
- People in story:听
- Fiona and David Ellis
- Location of story:听
- Cambridge/ Pembroke Dock
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A3933173
- Contributed on:听
- 21 April 2005
On 8th May 2005 we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of VE Day here in the village hall of Great and Little Eversden, Cambridgeshire. We will have a very good supper, wine, entertainment and music of the 40s. We will meet friends and remember those friends who served and those who died for our country in WW11.
On VE day, 8th May 1945 I was a young typist working long hours and weekends at the India Office in Whitehall. One of my tasks was to write letters of condolence to next-of-kin of those posted missing or killed in action in India, Burma and other Far Eastern areas. I longed to join one of the womens` services but my occupation was "reserved" meaning that I could not leave.
Although we did not meet until long after the war, my husband was a WOP (wireless operator) in 228 squadron RAF, and flew in Sunderland flying boats from Pembroke Dock. Very little is written on your website of flying boats but Coastal Command did play a very important part in the war, although it may not have been as exciting as flying with fighter or bomber squadrons. Mainly, for the web-footers, it was a matter of scanning the sea for 12-15 hours in the hope of sighting a U-boat and dropping depth charges to deter the enemy from attacking those courageous chaps in the Royal and Merchant Navies.
I write this because I feel that Coastal Command, and Sunderland flying boats, deserve a mention for the part they played in WW11.
At the end of June this year we will meet with members of other squadrons for a reunion because there are now so few web-footers left - only 6 from 228 squadron.
Fiona Ellis
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