Hey guys. I need to share this with you.
The PA22 group that I am a member of was formed around an aircraft (G-ARNE) originally owned outright by a chap called Tom Bowden.
He fought at Arnhem in 1944, eventually being captured by the Germans. Some of what followed is not pleasant, involving some time spent working at one of the imfamous concentration camps (Not POW camp).
But that is all past.
Since then he has spent time in assisting the airborne forces of various nations across the world. Until he has ended up here in Suffolk.
Time passes. At well over eighty he has finally decided to hang up his flying helmet and is dropping out of the group from January 2004. A very sad day for all who know him.
Today we had the group Christmas bash, at the Flying Fortress pub at Rougham.
Midway through he asked if I’d be prepared to fly him to the sixtieth anniversary celebrations at Arnhem in September next year.
Overhearing something he said to his partner I’ve been asked for my flying abilities – and more importantly because of my beer drinking capacity.
The thought of carrying a veteran to Arnhem and to meet his surviving chums has so overwhelmed me I just felt I had to post it here.
The connection with the history we all are interested in is so tenuous – it really excites me that I shall have this very small part in the perpetuation of a glorious past.
Moggy
PS: The lunch involved several pints of Adnams. I may read this in the morning and be very embarassed. 😉
By: Snapper - 13th December 2003 at 23:04
Just realised I never posted on here. Sorry Moggy, this is what I’m interested in! I know you’ll appreciate what truly is an honour.
By: Moggy C - 13th December 2003 at 22:18
Gosh.
Well thanks for all that ill-deserved praise.
Thought you might be interested in another bit of the lunchtime conversation.
I was talking to Tom about the Airborne Forces Museum at Pegasus Bridge which I visited earlier this year and he never has.
“Know where I was at midnight on D-Day?” He asked.
Obviously I didn’t.
“Bobbing up and down mid-Channel on some bloody barge operating a navigation beacon for the Pegasus Bridge chaps”
“I was hopping mad when I found out what they’d done. My entire contribution to Overlord was to flick a simple switch (here he made a light switch flicking gesture) at a given time”
“Why it needed me, a trained paratrooper I’ll never know. One of the bloody matelots could probably have managed that much”
I suspect that three months later he’d probably wished he was back on that barge. I didn’t mention this thought to him though. 😉
Moggy
By: mike currill - 10th December 2003 at 07:42
Moggy,
I think you have a lot of support from visitors to this forum for that, and so you should. All I can say is have a safe trip and bring back plenty of pics for us to see.
By: DazDaMan - 9th December 2003 at 08:56
Originally posted by mike currill
Seconded, thirded and unanimously carried I reckon.
Absolutely – good on you, Moggy!
By: mike currill - 9th December 2003 at 08:53
Originally posted by ageorge
Your a fine man Moggy , I’d like to share a beer or 24 with you one day .
🙂 🙂
Seconded, thirded and unanimously carried I reckon.
By: Firebird - 8th December 2003 at 22:00
Well Moggy, I might see you out there then, as hopefully, work permitting I’ll be there with the 1st Airborne Recce Sqn Living History Unit. Some of the lads go every year as the 1st AB Recce veterans Assoc. designated us as the official wreath layers in their absence, although I personally haven’t been since the last big ‘official do’ in 1999 on the 55th Anniversary. I suspect next year will be the last many of them will make the effort.
No doubt much alcohol will be consumed as usual in the Schoonoord Inn bar which is where you’ll find most of the vets gather each evening, as this was a dressing station during the defence of the Oosterbeek perimeter, and believe me these old airborne guys really do knock it back. It’s a privilege to share a tot with them.
The Arnhem area around the time of the anniversary is very special and humbling, not to mention down right moving, especially being at the cemetery when all the local school children place flowers at each headstone…….
By: ageorge - 8th December 2003 at 17:23
Your a fine man Moggy , I’d like to share a beer or 24 with you one day .
🙂 🙂
By: Moggy C - 8th December 2003 at 17:19
Originally posted by ageorge
God Bless You Bill , I remember .
I think most of us here remember them, if not individually, then in total.
It is great however to take it on ourselves to keep alive the memory of a specific few.
Cheers Bill. Wish I’d had the chance of a pint and a yarn.
Moggy
By: Moggy C - 8th December 2003 at 17:17
Tempting Neilly. Get Tom to extend his licence until then and nominate him as P1?
Could be good. On the other hand I expect the fine would be a bit eyewatering. :rolleyes:
Moggy
By: neilly - 8th December 2003 at 17:09
Good one, Moggy. Any thoughts of flying under a certain bridge, over there?;) 😀
Neilly
By: ageorge - 8th December 2003 at 16:32
The old man couldn’t have picked a finer companion to fly him out there , how many are you towing in the glider – or has he not mentioned that bit yet ??:D .
I’m an idiot , my father owns some small businesses and a regular in one of my dad’s cafes, Bill Knox , flew a glider into Arnhem , he was injured and managed to get sent back to Blighty , after his recuperation he was immediately sent to Burma and captured by the Japs – this is the only bit of his service he would NOT talk about . For the last few months I meant to take a small tape recorder to our weekly meeting and get some of it down on tape , unfortunately Bill passed away a month ago – and took a great deal of history with him .
God Bless You Bill , I remember .
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th December 2003 at 12:45
That’s fabulous news, I’m sure you’ll do the old boy proud. 🙂
By: Ashley - 8th December 2003 at 09:06
Wow Moggy, that is wonderful…look forward to hearing all about it on your return 🙂
Ashley
By: mike currill - 8th December 2003 at 07:40
congratulations on being selected to fly this gentleman. Which was the primary consideration though your piloting ability or your ability to consume large ammount of beer?:) It will surely be a moving experience and one I wish I could share with you.
By: RadarArchive - 8th December 2003 at 07:26
I’m so envious, Moggy. Enjoy the opportunity, just don’t stick a parachute on him and make him jump out! 😉
By: Bluebird Mike - 7th December 2003 at 19:27
Good for you, Mogs!
By: macky42 - 7th December 2003 at 19:24
What a wonderful opportunity. We shall expect a small book.
By: sconnor - 7th December 2003 at 19:11
That is going to be a very moving experience.
A couple of years ago I filmed a tour of the Arnhem area with a veteran of the campaign and it is something I will never forget.
Make the most of it, not any people get a chance like that.
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December 7, 2003 at 6:57 pm