Well, Well Bill our history goes even further back than either of us realise.
I am sure you remember that my Father was a Squadron Leader in the
R.A.F. He was in charge of the defence of 5 AirFields,1 after the other in the
first 2 years of WW2. During the last 3 years he was stationed @ "Upwood"
just outside Ramsey, Lincolnshire a very Flat area of countryside holding 5
RAF stations plus 2 American; the Lancaster bomber and Mosquitos were
named "Pathfinders". At that time the RAF Regiment was formed, so Daddy
was once more in Khaki uniform ! But, still in charge of the defence of all 7
Airfields. Each school holiday Mummy and I would stay with the CO's Family
@ Upwood; he had 2 daughters, one older, the other younger than myself.
Later after the war, Daddy told the story of how he had met the Canadian
Lancaster pilot who sank the German "Turpitz", their prized largest warship.
Also before Turpitz sank they shot the Lancaster down whose crew "almost"
did not survive.
A quick note, you missed out the Wellington Bomber. Just after the war during
Tony's 2 year "Call Up" essential service in RAF, he was the only young
man allowed to "start up" the engine of the Wellington every morning.
That is how Tony and I first met, he was looking for a print of the Wellington and
came into the small antique store on Mill St !!
