Training for war

.”I was expected to attend night school as part of my training and. on a couple of occasions when bombs were jettisoned in the area, the classroom lights flickered, and the headmaster, Mr. W. Pinkney. B.Sc. sent us home. The war time blackout was strictly enforced and even bicycle lights had to be masked. It was at times like those that I was always relieved to arrive home unscathed.

“In January 1944 aged 18, although in a 'reserved occupation’ and exempt from call-up, I applied to join the RAF on air-crew duties, and appeared before a Selection Board. After two days of thorough medicals, written exams and aptitude tests I qualified as being suitable for training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. I was asked to carry on with my job and I would be sent for (with other successful applicants) when places were available at the Training School.”

“In September the same year, I received another letter Informing me that as a result of continued progress which was being made by Allied Ground Forces and Bomber Command air-crew training was being discontinued. A sobering thought for me, was that had I been born in 1922 instead of 1926, I probably wouldn't be writing this, as 55,000 Bomber Command Airmen lost their lives over enemy-occupied territory during the war"

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