• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
  • JOBS
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Must Reads Good News

This is the incredible moment a 94-year-old RAF veteran returned to the cockpit

John Watkins joined the RAF in 1942 and served with 617 Squadron - also known as "The Dambusters".

Joe Mellor by Joe Mellor
2018-07-19 10:25
in Good News, Must Reads
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

This is the incredible moment a 94-year-old RAF veteran returned to the cockpit to fly in a WWII Tiger Moth plane.

John Watkins joined the RAF in 1942 and later served with 617 Squadron – also known as “The Dambusters”.

Sergeant Kirkham, of South Yorkshire Police, met Mr Watkins, on Armed Forces Day and listened to his incredible story of his time spent in the air force.

Mr Watkins told Sgt Kirkham about the blitz and being “blown off his feet” the night the Luftwaffe visited his hometown of Rotherham, South Yorks.

With help from two of his friends who own a second world war Tiger Moth, the sergeant arranged to return him to the cockpit for an emotional flight.

Mr Watkins donned a set of leathers and beamed as the Tiger Moth, from the same year as Mr Watkins joined the RAF, circled the airstrip before taking to the air.

He was flown over his old airbase and around the surrounding area – making a number of low passes over the airfield before he landed safely after approximately 40 minutes in the sky.

RelatedPosts

Speedboat owner who ‘corralled’ pod of dolphins convicted in first prosecution under national clampdown

Meet the UK’s super dogs… including a mastiff and Staffordshire bull terrier cross which alerted its owner to cancer

Two ‘louts’ kicked Asian taxi driver to death after he asked them to stop eating food in cab

‘Girls smell better at 16 than at 28’: Tory council candidate’s shock remarks

Sgt Kirkham, who took Mr Watkins for fish and chips on the way back to his home, blamed becoming choked up during the flight on “hay fever”.

He said “What a character he is and it was an honour to be able to sort out this little adventure for him.

“Two really generous friends of mine realised that a 1942 Tiger Moth they owned was dated the same year John joined the RAF.

“This aircraft was also stationed at that time at RAF Hemswelll where John had also served.

“He met my friends David Firth and Dick Flanagan and brought his photo album and shared his stories.

“They were as starstruck as I think I was.

“In glorious sunshine and perfect flying conditions John was dressed in leather flying helmet and introduced to Tiger Moth DE208 awaiting on the grass strip.

“With a couple of swings of the prop the aircraft came to life and John took to the air once again with a massive grin visible from where I stood with my camera.

“John defended this country during the war to allow people the freedom to live freely and this is just a small way to show him how much we appreciate what he did.

“We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our ex and currently serving women and men.”

Mr Watkins served as an Air Gunner/Wireless Operator during World War Two before rising to Sergeant then eventually Warrant Officer.

He flew in many areas around the world in Liberator Bombers, Catalina Flying Boards and the massive Sunderland Flying boats.

He had also flown in Lancasters and a Halifax.

Mr Watkins repatriated POWs and hunted enemy submarines amongst other duties.

Later in his service he joined 617 Squadron of Dambusters fame and served as ground crew the night of the raid known for the ‘bouncing bomb’.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/must-reads/good-news/wedding-couple-feed-140-guests-with-food-destined-for-landfill/18/07/

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Watch – Moment a double-decker bus burst into flames

Common theme among world leaders who have contracted coronavirus

Driver who switched on Tesla’s autopilot & sat in passenger seat on motorway banned

The Ultimate List Of The Types Of Demolition Techniques

GUIDE: Taking the plunge at Kananaskis Nordic Spa, Alberta

Richard Littlejohn says ‘snowflakes’ face a choice between ‘heating or tweeting’ as cost-of-living crisis bites

Hospital beds being closed due to staff Covid absences as UK records huge rise in infections

What you need to know about Prince Philip’s funeral

Corbyn claims it was ‘not my intention’ to say Labour antisemitism was ‘overstated’

Surprising twist in ‘Dot Cotton’ obituary leaves Twitter users astonished

JOBS

FIND MORE JOBS

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.