I recently visited the Bomber Command Memorial in  The Green Park. London. It was something I have wanted to do since , as an exBomber Command Bomb Aimer with 44 Squadron, I was unable to attend the dedication and unveiling ceremony by the Queen in June.

I was accompanied on my visit by one of my daughters and a very dear friend. We came by train from Lincolnshire and concentrated on having a pleasant day with the visit and lunch without trying to pack too much into the day. It worked exceedingly well and we were blessed with fine weather.

Memories came crowding back of my time with the Squadron,of the men I flew with and of those who did not return. I was lucky.  And I was fortunate with my crew, they were all on top of their jobs, were reliable and we bonded from the first moment we met.

The recollections, aided by the visit, have come at a time when I am using  a RAF background  in the present novel I am writing.