As promised a few days ago on the Vickers Warwick thread I have now published online the first half of the book ‘The Pen And The Sword’ by the late Ross Sayers.
Ross was an RNZAF pilot who went on to fly Wellingtons in places like Matla, Gibraltar, Africa, and the Atlantic, and he finished the war flying Warwicks. His book is extremely interesting, and having been a journalist (and editor of several top newspapers) he showed much skill in writing his memoirs.
He sadly passed away in march, before i made contact with him for my Cambridge airmen project. When I tracked down his widow I discovered he’d written these memoirs for his family (not ever intending to publish them). Annette, his widow, kindly leant me the book, and I was so impressed I asked if the family would allow publication on my website. They were happy to allow this, but only the first half relating to the Air Foce days. The second half of his book, dealing with life in publishing (hence the title) has been omitted, as have certain details from the published chapters. But I hope you’ll take the time to have a read and let me know what you think.
The book can be found here
http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Ross%20Sayers.htm
Enjoy,
Dave
By: Dave Homewood - 30th September 2004 at 10:01
No Kev, no mention of 37 Sqn I’m afraid.
Ross later transferred with some of his crew to 38 Sqn.
By: kev35 - 30th September 2004 at 09:27
BUMP!
Dave,
I’ve only had chance to skim parts of this yet but it is excellently written. I noticed mention of 38 Sqdn. being a “sister” Squadron and mention of being based at Shallufa. Is there any mention of 37 Squadron? They went out with 38 to Middle East Command.
Regards,
kev35
By: Dave Homewood - 29th September 2004 at 11:59
“BUMP”
And – does anybody have any photographs for Meditteranean Vickers Wellingtons, or any other RAF aircraft types Ross mentioned that would help to illustrate the book please?
I love the bit in the book where he flew home from Africa via nuetral Portugal and not only ended up flying the Empire flying boat but also got mixed up with German spies. It’s like a novel! Or a Humphrey Bogart film.
Sign In
September 29, 2004 at 7:31 am