Military Home in Glasgow – Jimmy Johnston, fighter pilot

My girlfriend just e-mailed me the article – not sure which paper it’s from:

Ex-fighter pilot’s anger as military home finally axed

A former wartime fighter pilot is among 32 residents facing an accommodation crisis after being told their ex-servicement’s home is to close.

Jimmy Johnstone, 86, today condemned the controversial decision to axe Flanders House in Glasgow’s west end.

Mr Johnstone, who flew Spitfires during the Second World War, said: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace. The staff here are fantastic. This is my home. I don’t know what I’m going to do”.

The home’s closure was finally confirmed to staff and the ex-servicement yesterday after weeks of speculation.

Residents and their families have been left devastated.

The Earl Haig Fund, which runs the home, says it can’t afford the £4.5 million needed to modernise the home in keeping with new laws.

Flanders House has been home to former prisoner-of-war Alex Heron, 86, for 13 years and his future is also now uncertain.

He said: “I’ve been here the longest. I’m a bachelor. Most of my family are gone. I don’t have anyone to help me find another place. All my friends are here”.

Relatives are being advised to liaise with social work staff about securing alternative accommodation for their loved ones.

James McKay, 58, of Duntocher, is anxious about the fate of his dad Archie, who is 91 and suffers from dementia.

Mr McKay said: “My dad is getting gradually worse. He has a routine here and the staff know how to cope with him. I just don’t know what we are going to do. He was safe here and well looked after. The staff are absolutely first class but a move will really upset him”.

The home’s 35-stong work-force reacted with fury to the news it is to close in September. Admin assistant Gillian Crawford, 37, of Kelvindale, vowed to set up a fundraising committee in a desperate bid to raise vital funds to keep the house open.

Gillian, a mum, is due to have her thrid child in September… when shel’ll also lose her job.

Her partner Steven Burns, 41, a chef at Flanders House, also faces unemployment.

Support worker James Costello, 59, of Clydebank said: “The effect this closure is going to have on these men will be terrible but the Earl Haig Fund don’t care. I bet that if you come back a year today you’ll find a developer has built houses here”.

Bosses at the home would not comment on the closure.

The name of the home is Flanders House, so I’ll try and get in touch with them.

Certainly worth a shot.

Daz.

Why not pop into the home and see if you can meet the man and find out for yourself what is happening. A quick phone call to the home to arrange something should not be an impossibility. go as an enthusiast to meet the man and then see what you can find out.

Regards,

kev35

I also though I had heard that Jim Johnston had died but I might be mistaken

Could be confused with Johnny Johnson, at first i got confused.

Daz, I’m surprised you haven’t got it already!

Available from the shop in the Glasgow Museum of Transport
http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=7
(don’t know if they do mail order)

Admittedly, no! 🙁

Where can I get hold of it?

Have you seen this book?

Glasgow’s Spitfire – excerpts from the book

Excerpts from Glasgow’s Spitfire, a book that tells the story of Supermarine Spitfire LA198, her short flying career as told through the eyes of the men of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, and her subsequent restoration.

by Professor Dugald Cameron OBE DSc

I also though I had heard that Jim Johnston had died but I might be mistaken

Hmm…. 🙁

I have a feeling it is.

Same person, do you think?

In the oral histories section of the book “Glasgow’s Spitfire” there is a section by a Jim Johnston DFC. Served with 157 Squadron during the war, and then 602 Squadron after the war.

Ken