Gift puts service in focus
A WORLD War 2 veteran from Mosgiel was struck speechless by one of his presents this Christmas.
When former Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) navigator Jim Dagg (97) unwrapped the gift to find an intricately stitched quilt featuring a Lancaster bomber, it instantly took him back to his service in the war.
Mr Dagg was 18 when he joined the RNZAF and trained in Taieri, Omaka and
Canada, before being sent to England where he became a part of the Royal Air Force.
He was registered as a navigator from September 20, 1942 and flew in Lancasters.
The quilt, depicting a Lancaster flying over a field of poppies at sunrise, was crafted by Jen Caradus, who is married to Mr Dagg’s nephew Bill Caradus.
Mrs Caradus said the quilt stemmed from a conversation Mr Dagg had with his nephew — he spoke about being 19 and flying a Lancaster and dropping care packages in Holland.
Mrs Caradus said she hoped the quilt would allow Mr Dagg the chance to talk more about his war experiences.
‘‘I think people often forget that these men were young boys flying
Lancasters,’’ she said.
‘‘But what he has been through has been amazing, so I wanted to recognise that.’’
Daughter Karen Dagg was there when her father opened the gift.
She said she was pleased Mrs Caradus had put the work in to recognise her father’s war efforts.
‘‘He asked if we could get his walker so he could put the quilt over it to see the Lancaster.’’
Ms Dagg said that while she was growing up, her father would talk about being a navigator.
He liked the responsibility and busyness of the role, as well as plotting the course of the aircraft, she said.
Ms Dagg said the quilt would be kept as a family heirloom.