Veteran captured by Nazis will start relay race

AN RAF veteran who was shot down and imprisoned in the Great Escape prisoner of war camp said he never imagined he would see the service’s centenary.

Air Commodore Charles Clarke joined the RAF at the age of 17, flying in Lancasters as a bomb aimer in 619 squadron during the Second World War.

It was during a sortie in early 1944 that his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, forcing him to parachute out of the plane. He was captured by the Nazis and taken to Stalag Luft III.

It was at the infamous camp in Poland that Allied prisoners of war (PoWs) constructed tunnels and attempted to make a daring bid for freedom in March 1944 – known as the Great Escape.

But it was in January 1945 that Air Cdre Clarke was evacuated from the prison as Allied forces advanced, and ordered on the long march with other PoWs by the Nazis before being rescued.

Tomorrow – as the RAF marks 100 years since its creation – Air Cdre Clarke will pass a specially designed baton to one of the youngest RAF members, sending it on a 100-day tour.

The 94-year-old from London said: “The glamour of the RAF was the main attraction to me as a young boy.

“I was first taken for a flight when I was about eight years old, and of course the Battle of Britain was happening just before I joined. Even though I was young, I never regretted my decision to join, and the RAF has always been very good to me.

“I never expected this anniversary to take place in my lifetime, but I am full of admiration for the current generation coming through – they are such a wonderful crowd.”

The baton relay will begin outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before visiting every region in the UK as well as overseas locations such as the Falkland Islands and Afghanistan.

With 20 RAF sports associations involved in the relay, the baton will also be carried by a variety of RAF equipment including aircraft and vehicles before it returns to London on July 10.

Air Cdre Clarke is set to pass the baton to Aircraftsman Adam wood based at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. His grandfather was also in the RAF.

“I’m really proud to have been chosen to receive the baton,” said the 16-year-old from Aylesbury.