Meet the Veterans at IWM Duxford Hear personal stories from men and women who’ve experienced war and conflict Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May 11am to 1pm AirSpace Meet and chat with veterans who have served in a range of conflicts, from the Second World War and the Korean War to worldwide contemporary conflicts, including Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans in attendance cover a wide range of ages, backgrounds and experiences. They range from members of the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy to National Service conscripts and civilians who experienced the Second World War Home Front as children, playing on the wartime bomb sites and enduring air raids, rationing and evacuation. Veterans chatting about their personal memories of war will include: John Lowe John was a gunner with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War. He served in India, Changi, Taiwan and Japan. He was a prisoner in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Fred Henley Fred was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He served in the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean and with Russian Convoys on motor gun boats and on submarines. Les Keen Les was evacuated during the Second World War and can tell you what it was like to be a child during those years. He served in the Royal Navy after the war ended. Len Bloomfield Len was a Sergeant in The Royal Marines during the Second World War. One of his roles was to provide bombardment support to the Land Forces at major landings. He was also involved with the convoys in Malta and in the North Atlantic Ocean. Tony Leonard Tony was a Corporal in the RAF Regiment from 1979 to 1991. He served in Belize, Cyprus, Germany and Northern Ireland, where he completed six tours. Tony was also involved in the first Gulf War. Ivan Potter Ivan was a member of the British Resistance Organisation (Churchill’s Secret Army) from 1940 until 1943, when he joined the RAF. He was a Flight Sergeant until 1947. David Armstrong David was a Captain in the Intelligence Corps from 1966 to 1997. He was particularly involved with air reconnaissance work in Ireland, Hong Kong and Germany. John Davenport John served with 502 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command, during the Second World War. He was a pilot who flew in many different aircraft, particularly the Halifax. His main role was to attack German shipping and U-boats. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945. Ian Williams Ian was a medic in the RAF between 1991 and 2001. His role was to provide emergency and aviation medical support. He was stationed at RAF bases around the UK. Ralph Rutherford Ralph was in the Royal Air Force from July 1944 until June 1953. He flew with Bomber Command just after the end of the Second World War, then with Fighter Command from 1949. He flew some of the early jets, including Vampires and Meteors. Pat Whiley Pat served in the Royal Navy and the Anglian Regiment TA between 1956 and 1994. He served in Cyprus, Malaya and Borneo. Bob Knights Bob was in the Royal Navy from 1952 to 1964. He served on a variety of ships as a Leading Radio Operator. In 1957 Bob witnessed H-bomb testing near Christmas Island in the South Pacific. Bob Thomas Bob was on National Service in the RAF from 1950 until 1952. He was awarded a National Service commission. During that time he trained as a pilot. In 1952 he joined the RAF on a regular commission which lasted until 1964. He mainly flew Hastings, Lincolns and Shackletons. Bob Barker BEM Bob began his National Service in October 1950. He served in Trieste before going to fight in the Korean War in July 1951 with the Royal Norfolk Regiment. He was shot while on patrol in 1952 and evacuated to a MASH unit before being sent home to recover. He was discharged in October 1952. George Evans George served in the Grenadier Guards from 1971 to 1993. He served in Northern Ireland and in the Gulf War in 1991. He was then recalled to his unit during the war in Iraq in 2005 and was recalled to Afghanistan in 2007. Robin Buttle Robin Buttle was a pilot in the RAF between 1963 and 1971 during the Cold War. He was a squadron pilot on Vulcans (Blue Steel). He became an instructor and trained other pilots in the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm. After he left the RAF he flew commercial airliners until he retired. Phyl and Jim Longstaff Phyl Longstaff was evacuated from her home in Middlesborough during the Second World War and can recall what it was like to be evacuated. Jim Longstaff was a small child during the Second World War. He remembers playing and having fun on the bomb sites. After the war, he joined the RAF. Vaughan Limmer Vaughan was a Royal Marine who served between 1978 and 1982. He was in 41 Commando and did a tour of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus in 1979. In 1980, he served in the border town of Crossmaglen in Northern Ireland. James O’Brien James was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. During the war he was an information broadcaster, a depth charge releaser, a forward supply party member and a boatswain’s mate. He was stationed in Portsmouth. Keith Norgan Keith served in the RAF from 1961 until 1997. He was a Squadron Leader. He worked both in air crew as an Air Electronics Officer and in ground crew as an engineer and staff officer. He flew during the Cold War on Vulcans and Victors and later worked on various aircraft including Phantoms and Tornados. – Ends – For further press information please contact: Esther Blaine +44 (0)1223 499 320 Notes to Editors · Veterans will be in attendance on Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May between 11am and 1pm in AirSpace. · Different veterans from the above list will be in attendance on each day. Attendance by veterans is subject to availability. · Meet the Veterans is included in general admission to the museum. Visitors aged 15 and under enjoy free admission. Esther Blaine Public Relations Manager IWM Duxford Cambridgeshire CB22 4QR (t) 01223 499 320 (m)07792 305 432 (f) 01223 834 037 (e) [email protected]
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 19:48:48 +0000
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