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I was just 16 years of age when the Borough of Hendon established its 'Four Fighter Fund'. It aimed at raising funds to buy four Spitfire Fighters to help in the Battle of Britain. Many and varied efforts were made to raise the money needed. One of these was a 'charity shop' opened by a Mrs Forrester - a classic 'do-gooder'! When the shop opened I volunteered my services to Mrs Forrester, and throughout the fund-raising effort (which, ultimately, was successful) I spent every free moment working in the shop - or running errands for Mrs Forrester. It was totally asorbing and I involved my boy scout troop in the efforts.

When the fund concluded and we were able to present a cheque to the Ministry of Defence for the four fighters, the local Mayor gave a reception for all of those involved in the effort. Mrs Forrester was kind enough to say that the success of the shop at Mill Hill was, in a large measure, due to the commitment that I had put in. Unbeknown to me, the Mayor had advance warning of that and he presented me with a commemorative plaque recalling the part I had played in buying the four fighters. It was a significant moment in my life, and one to which I always look back to with happy memories.

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