Surviving Few

[OzBiggles1963]

Sadly, there are very few surviving members left of "The Few":

http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/bobhsoc/

[Frederique]

Yes, it is very sad, but as the website says, they shan't be forgotten. They are heroes!

[OzBiggles1963]

Yes, it is very sad, but as the website says, they shan't be forgotten. They are heroes!

Absolutely! I am always on the lookout for biographies & info on these amazing, fearless & ageless heroes.

[Frederique]

Yes - they are so interesting!

It's always good to get an accurate perspective, too.

[Fairblue]

I see that another hero of WW2 has passed on., RIP Tom Neil.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/1 ... tain-aces/

[OzBiggles1963]

I see that another hero of WW2 has passed on., RIP Tom Neil.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/1 ... tain-aces/

Very sad indeed, which only leaves 4 men from this era now. I forgot I created this thread a few yrs ago, otherwise I would have posted in here as follows: [i.e. My 8-7-18 post from a week ago, listing Tom Neil as one of the surviving few including the newly "discovered" BOB veteran, Irishman John Hemingway]. Happy 100th to Paul Farnes on 16-7-18!



Battle of Britain [Last of the Few]

Postby OzBiggles1963 » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:46 pm

Frecks wrote:
Yes I should imagine there will only be a small number of them left now.


Further to this [nearly] 3 year old post, I found a recent article tonight which indicates another Battle of Britain pilot has been found, who "went off the radar" in 1969. Sadly though, it seems only 5 in total remain now: Geoffrey Wellum, Tom Neil, Paul Farnes, Tim Elkington & John Hemingway.
Best wishes to Wing Commander Paul Farnes, DFM, AE, who turns 100 on 16-7-18! What an incredible milestone.

https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/wa ... and-152977

[tiffinata]

I heard a couple of hours ago that Geoffrey Wellum died today.

Through his book 'First Light' he helped me and many others realise what BOB pilots did and went through, rather than it just being a line in a history book.

Blue skies and soft landings, Mr Wellum.

[OzBiggles1963]

I heard a couple of hours ago that Geoffrey Wellum died today.

Through his book 'First Light' he helped me and many others realise what BOB pilots did and went through, rather than it just being a line in a history book.

Blue skies and soft landings, Mr Wellum.

I read his excellent book some yrs ago, plus saw the documentary of the same name. Youngest BOB pilot at the time, & known as 'Boy' Wellum well into his later yrs. Rest easy Sir. Only 3 left now.

[StoneRoad]

Smooth fields and no crosswinds, Mr Wellum, rest easy sir.

*salutes the western sun*

[OzBiggles1963]

Something I did a while back & posted on YouTube, most appropriate now imho.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5CrcJML7g0I&t=147s

[Tracer]

AAAHHHHHHHHHH lovely, OzB.

[OzBiggles1963]

And now Mary Ellis has gone: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44962253

[StoneRoad]

I was just coming here to post that.
obituary link ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-43518517

Coincidentally, I'm just reading the last few pages of "Spitfire Girls"

[Tracer]

I have that in the pile of 'yet to be read'.

Those redoubtable ladies took a snatched opportunity and proved themselves beyond all doubt, in the face of some obnoxious opposition. But they were appreciated where it mattered. And we still honour them.

[Spitfire666]

I am puzzled that there seems to be an obit. on the internet for Johnny Johnson in 2001, but he collected an award last year.?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41903492

[Fairblue]

Confusingly, S666, there are two 'Johnnie' Johnsons. Air Vice Marshall 'Johnnie' Johnson, Battle of Britain pilot, who died in January 2001 and Squadron Leader 'George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson,' last of the Dambusters. He wasn't a pilot but a bomb-aimer. He is still alive.

'Johnny' is a nickname which was given to a lot of people with Johnson as a surname.

[Spitfire666]

Confusingly, S666, there are two 'Johnnie' Johnsons. Air Vice Marshall 'Johnnie' Johnson, Battle of Britain pilot, who died in January 2001 and Squadron Leader 'George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson,' last of the Dambusters. He wasn't a pilot but a bomb-aimer. He is still alive.

'Johnny' is a nickname which was given to a lot of people with Johnson as a surname.

Thanks Fairblue.

[OzBiggles1963]

Yes, I recall being tricked by that a few yrs ago myself when I read about last remaining Dambuster 'Johnny' Johnson, lol.