Bit of a bizarre one this,but please bear with me……
My youngest daughters class,have just started a history project on WW2,which will be going on for a few weeks.I have loaned her some BBMF literature,to put on display.
To give it some authenticity,I suggested perhaps getting a veteran,to pop into school,and perhaps give them a talk,and maybe a Q&A session.
The trouble is,I wouldn’t know where to start,in order perhaps secure the services of such a person.
Would anyone on here know where to conatct any surviving veteran,preferably from the RAF,in the Wakefield area of West Yorkshire?
Hope you can help.
Ken.
By: Quinny - 12th September 2006 at 21:32
Update:
I have secured the services of Ossett RBL President John Lockwood,to go to my daughters school,at a time to be decided,in the next couple of weeks.
John was an evacuee,during the war,but did national service with bomber command afterwards at RAF Marham.
I have just come off the phone with him,and I can’t wait to meet him at the school. 😀
Ken.
By: Snapper - 10th September 2006 at 20:10
Yes it does, but not sure who is local and/or up for it. No pilots locally anyway.
By: EN830 - 10th September 2006 at 13:32
Snapper, does the 609 Sqn Association still exist ? Being a Yorkshire Sqn I feel this would be the most appropriate.
By: Quinny - 10th September 2006 at 10:51
Actually,the headmistress is one of the nicest people you’ll meet.
I only wish mine were like that,when I was at school,and perhaps I would have attended more!!!!!
Ken.
By: Pete Truman - 10th September 2006 at 10:27
You will probably find that one of the kids has some old boy in the closet somewhere.
When my son was still at our local junior school, they really took this project to heart and one kid produced his great uncle who had served as a gunner on HMS Warspite, what tales he had to tell.
Things change though, that was 10 years ago and in those days I was actually asked by the teachers to bring along my Lee-Enfield so that the kids could appreciate how heavy a rifle was, I would probably be arrested for doing that now.
A couple of years ago my stepson did a similar project at the same school and I took along a large cardboard box full of uniforms which they really appreciated, the playground was full of GI’s, Artillerymen, Russians and Germans for weeks!!!
By: Quinny - 10th September 2006 at 09:07
What I will have to do,is ask the permission from the headmistress,who is a very nice lady,and I can’t see her objecting,saying as I nominated her for an award,at the recent teaching awards!!!!!!
I’ll let you know how I get on.
Ken.
By: Quinny - 10th September 2006 at 00:03
Blimey!!!!! That didn’t take long.
Actually the Horbury Ossett and Sitlington president would probably be the best way to go,saying as I live in Ossett!!!!!
I will get my daughter to approach her teacher on Monday,and hopefully then,make the necessary phone call.
Many thanks.
Ken.
By: Snapper - 9th September 2006 at 23:53
Local Royal British Legion, Aircrew Association, etc?
Royal British Legion – Horbury Ossett and Sitlington President John Lockwood, 01924 272976
Royal British Legion – Normanton, Altofts & Whitwood Donald Purdy, 01924 893209
RAF Boy Entrants Association 3 Eskdale Road Wakefield W.Yorks UK WF2 9HF
You could also try ‘lurking’ near the Post Office on pension day – maybe ask the Manager if you could approach likely candidates. trust me, it won’t take long. There are also a couple more Militarty associations you could try – Burma Star, regimental ones etc.
My mate in Harrogate is ‘non-operational’ now, so no point in me asking him. But you won’t have much problem Im sure.
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September 9, 2006 at 11:28 pm