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This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Maggie Smith from WM CSV Action Desk on behalf of Anne Randle and has been added to the site with her permission. Anne Randle fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

The little yellow envelope that my grandmother had received had stunned the whole family and greatly distressed us children, it began, “we regret to inform you” and went on to state that her youngest son Reg was ‘missing, believed killed’.

My Uncle Reg was a rear gunner in the R.A.F; his position was described as a ‘place of no return’. Reg was my favourite uncle, I was proud when he came to see us wearing his blue uniform and forage cap, surely he couldn’t have been killed.

Days, in fact weeks went by but still no news, everyone was beginning to give up hope but then came the night not one of us could ever forget.

My cousin Arthur was about 12 yrs old and lived in Great Barr, he to could think of little else but his uncle. This particular evening his dad had given him some money to go with a friend to the ‘Flicks’. The main feature over, ‘Pathe’ Pictorial news reel followed. The film showed a line of British and Canadian airmen entering a P.O.W camp, as the camera scanned the line of dejected faces the boy could hardly believe his eyes. There was his uncle Reg!

You can imagine the joy as he burst into the house shouting ‘I’ve seen uncle Reg at the Flicks.

The projectionist soon re-ran the film for the boy and his dad and confirmation was proved, - Reg was alive!

The following days saw scenes of great excitement and a parcel was quickly made up of food and personal items which included a hand knitted tie which I as a 6 year old had knitted with pride and haste. Never before and surely never since had such a garment been created, for although in length it resembled a neck-tie, it attained in parts proportions of great width. This colourful composition had been arranged in a most unusual array of colours and order, the pattern had been the creators own design and although I had only been taught 2 stitches, knit-one, purl-one, my interpretation of these was quite unique. The whole ensemble took on a somewhat lacy appearance and I was sure my uncle would greatly appreciate this special gift.

Some weeks later the sound of heavy marching boots were heard striking the small blue bricks in the entry that led to our house, they paused only long enough for the wearer of a military tie to replace it with a simply delightful knit-one purl-one creation adding to the thrill and pride of yours truly.

How he managed to survive is another story and too long to relate at this time, just to say that Reg was welcomed into the ‘Caterpillar Club’ and awarded a small gold caterpillar badge that he later wore with pride as a tie pin.

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