- Contributed by听
- Ms D Bioletti
- People in story:听
- Sid Bioletti, RAF Service Number 1890617
- Location of story:听
- Unknown BR Train Station, England
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A8857290
- Contributed on:听
- 26 January 2006
My Dad, Sid, unfortunately without ukulele. Taken during leave but no date or other details on the back of the photograph.
Background information
I have written this account on behalf of my Dad 鈥 Sid Bioletti 鈥 who is 80 years young and unfortunately back in hospital again however, following his latest course of treatment, he is making good progress and we hope he will be home again soon.
For further information see entry under: A Flight to Remember 鈥 Airspeed Oxford 1944
Entertaining the troops 鈥 not quite 鈥 but nearly 鈥
In February 1944 鈥 which was four months before my dad鈥檚 RAF deferred service became actual service 鈥 he had spotted a Dallas ukulele in the George Formby style, in a local pawnbrokers鈥 shop-window. My Dad had learnt to play and was desperate to buy it. He borrowed 拢5 from his Gran to purchase the uke which was priced at 拢4.17s. 6d.; a significant sum at the time but more so for someone only 17 years old.
My dad took his ukulele with him throughout his 3.5years of RAF Service and practiced when off-duty. He recalled an occasion, whilst he was passing the time, waiting for a train to convey him and his fellow air-men to their RAF base. One or two chaps listened to him as he ran through some of his George Formby repertoire not
鈥淟eaning on the Lamp-post 鈥︹ but leaning on the fence post at the end of the platform until a certain little train came by!
My dad continued to play the ukulele. He entertained and brought pleasure to family, friends, work colleagues and acquaintances throughout his life.
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