A Little Humble right now

[Overhaulin]

Flying into Schiphol Airport there were a couple of old dodders with RAF blazers on the flight.
Said "Hello, where are you off to", while boarding the plane but didnt get a chance to talk again until we had landed.

Got talking to one called Arthur.

So what did you fly ?.

Oh Lancasters and Halifax's

Where did you sit ?.

Oh I was a rear gunner.

A little gasp from me Jesus that must of been....


Aye Lad not many of us left.

I asked if I could shake his hand and all I could say was "Thank you"

He then showed me a photo of the crew he flew with and him being the only one still alive.

I told him and his mate to enjoy themthselves have a few beers and stay out late.

So Arthur from 77 Sqn North Sutton. I may have not made any impression on you but for a few brief minutes you certainly did on me.

[.Adam.]

My Granddad was a rear gunner during the war as well, flew for 10 squadron in Halifax III's. He also spent time in Ansons and Wellingtons. I've still got his flying log book, his Service and release book and a few photos. Can't tell you how proud I am of him!

[Eric Mc]

A few months ago, my local model club made a presentation to an old chap who had been a mid-upper gunner on a Lancaster which crashed. We presented him with a 1/72 model of the aircraft which he really appreciated.

[Athlon]

My uncle was guns on Boulton Paul defiants and then on Wellingtons (rear) and I think Lancs, also went to Burma on Sunderlands.

He has gone now but the funeral and guard of honour by the Burma Star Ass. was very moving indeed.

[JuniorD]

A cousin of my old man was a Lancaster rear gunner and he was shot down somewhere over the Zuiderzee. Another chap from the cousin's old primary school class was pilot in one of the first de Havilland Comet losses. Amazing to think how these guys went from kids who grew up in a remote Irish bogland community to being part of aviation history.

[Eric Mc]

The demand for pilots was so great in WW2 that the old class divisions which had traditionally kept "working class" chaps away from flying aeroplanes were wiped away.

I'm always amazed by the number of Irish from South of the border who rushed to join the RAF.

[wildcat45]

I was very very honoured to spend Burns night this year on the top table of HMS ARK ROYAL. The gent to my right was Jock Moffat - the pilot of one of the Swardfish that took out the Bismark. I was lucky enough to share a bucket or two of booze with him that night. Felt very humble.