I love my civvy job. It means that I get to go to peoples houses, drink tea and chat, and sometimes nose around stately homes in green eyed jealousy. Just over a week ago I went to a little bungalow in a small village. The guy who opened the door was in his late 60's as was his wife, nice people, made me a cuppa whilst I began work.
Anyway, over the fire I noticed a photograph of a Boulton Paul Defiant, and mentioned that it was rare to see one, this fella said that I should speak to his dad about it. I carried on working and this old fella came in in a wheelchair, with an oxygen bottle and tubes up his nose. Little crumpled grey old chap but with absolute clarity of speech.
He explained that he had flown the Defiant in France and early Battle of Britain, that the photograph was of one of the earliest examples that they were air testing. He was one of the first pilots to fly in the night role with the new radar system and had a "fair amount of success".
He showed me pictures of his service with the US forces as they began to equip with p61's for night fighting, because he was considered a pioneer of the 'sport'.
He was awarded the Croix De Geurre and the DSO
After the war he was one of only 3 UK pilots to fly with the Confederate Air Force.
I was over an hour late for my next job, just couldn't go, his son told me he had not spoken about his experiences like that before.
What a great honour to meet the man. I even managed to take some pics on my phone with him laughing at me.
