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I joined the RAFVR when I was 19 and after a spell as an instructor at no. 3 S of GR Squiresgate Joined an ops. squadron on Wellingtons down the bay of Biscay. then on to Warwicks ex Wick working over Northern Waters. On the 10/6/44 after 7hrs 30 mins we ditched at 00.40 hrs N. E of Scotland. We were picked up by H.M.S Volage. Lt. Commander Wake Walker Lent me some clothes which I returned to a Naval post box, I hope he got them. On the 23/6/44 we searched for a Canso who had sunk a sub and been badly hit in the attack.We found them them at 62.33 N 0110E in a forty foot swell, we dropped a lifeboat, the chutes failed to disengage and acted as sails taking the boat away. We stayed over the dinghy as long as we could whilst sending homing signals to an ASR launch from the Shetlands, We passed them about twenty mins after leaving the site, which had been marked from our arrival with Smoke, Flame and alluminum. The Skipper of the Canso died on the Launch on the way back. He was the first Canadian V.C. of ww11 F/L David Hornel. WE Visited the Survivors in Hospital in Shetlands, I think 5 Lived out of 8, there were other medals awarded, Don't know if any are alive now. On the 14/9/44 we attempted to land on fire at Sumbergh Shetlands and went over the cliff into the sea, Geodetic construction saved us, Thank God for Barnes Wallis Our skipper was a Canadian. F/l Jack Murray.Don't know where he is , I am in touch with Cledwin (Taff) Evans and Colin Acton.There is of course a much larger story involved re David Hornel's attack which maybe I could expand on in the future

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