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I joined the RAF in May 1940, and obtained my wings early 1941.I then served in No 3 Hurricane squadron @ North Weald; transferred to 607 squadron Auxhiliary Air Force Scotland, then Martlesham Essex. Then to Manston Kent, at that time right in the frontline of England's battle for survival.
The Hurricanes were there fitted with 250lb bombs, one under each wing, plus 2 20mm cannon. We were engaged in low-level operations over Europe, and never returned without being shot-up. Very hairy! Then 11 Group, in who's sector we were stationed, decided to try high-level operations; in these we were escorted by Spitfires on each wing. But by the time we were halfway across the channel, most of the Luftwaffe were waiting for us! and the Spifires vanished into combat. The object was to dive-bomb the targets from 17,000 ft.
On one operation I saw a line of bullet holes streaking along my wing towards the cockpit, and this was followed by oil obscuring my windscreen. Thinking I was about to catch fire, I pulled the hood back preparing to bail out, but as fire did not ensue, managed to get the aircraft back to Manston - flaps shot out, so it was a high speed landing! Losses on the squadron were high.
During my time at Manston I was commissioned on the squadron - said to be he best form of commissioning!
In April 1942, we were posted overseas to the Burma Front, where I transferred to 615 Squadron, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit.All guns were removed, the wings filled with petrol, so all we had were cameras.Normally operations were high-level, about 27-30,000 ft, but if there was cloud, often very much lower; making eight straight-and-level runs over the target. Really sitting targets.All deep into Burma, from Calcutta, with a vicious enemy below. I personally photographed the landing grounds for the Chindits Airborne Landing Force in northern Burma.
Each flight entailed crossing the formidable Arakan Mountain range which nearly always was dominated by massive destructive cloud formations.
Conditions in this area of the war were very stressful. Apart from the flying operations, the local populace were often extremely hostile, spurred on by Ghandi's "peaceful resistence" which often resulted in many of the Allied Forces being murdered. When flying on operations, we always carried arsenic capsules, and revolvers in event of being shot down. In the Spring of 1942 I contracted amoebic dysstery and was eventually invalided home for treatment @ the RAF hospital Halton.
While in RAF service I carried 110 operational sorties; 66 in the Euopean theatre and 44 in the Far East.My two best friends were killed.
After the war, I trained in medicine, qualified in 1953, spent nearly 30 years as a General Practitioner; 15 years as senior partner in a large group practice in the St Thomas's group, and am still practising - through an Internet Company giving medical advice to HealthCare patients.

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