Battle of Britain pilots tell how it really was
IN A cracking new book, Letters From The Few: Unique Memories from the Battle of Britain, author Dilip Sarkar shares for the first time a selection of his correspondence with Battle of Britain fighter pilots.
It provides the reader with an inspirational insight into the immeasurable value of his research and the personalties involved.
One of the few was Swansea-born Wing Commander Frederick “Taffy” Higginson, whom we learn was “a remarkable man, an aviator through and through” whose life in aviation was “worthy of several books”.
A policeman’s son and a key member of 56 Squadron, Taffy was constantly in action during the Battle of Britain, scoring more combat successes and surviving being shot down twice.
With his handlebar moustache we are told he was “the very epitome of the fighter pilot’s public image”. He died in 2003 just five days before his 90th birthday.
Letters From The Few: Unique Memories from the Battle of Britain by Dilip Sarkar is published by Pen and Sword, priced £25.
On the subject of World War II, in Heroes Of Coastal Command: The RAF’s Maritime War 1939-1945 (also pu published by Pen & Sword at £25), An Andrew Bird examines the RAF’s maritime tim war.
The stories told are full of daring and breathtaking courage.
And, talking of authors, with regard to my recent piece about Cardiff writer Jack Jones, Mike Power writes: “My dad Arthur Morgan Power was buyer of toys, sports and stationery for James Howells.
“One evening he came home from work and put two paperback books on the table – River Out of Eden volumes one and two, which were both signed by Jack Jones.
“I guess that Howells had organised a book signing in 1970. Jack Jones would often pop into Howells and have a chat with Arthur.
“Some years later in the Black Cock Inn, Caerphilly, my wife and I had a conversation with a father and daughter from Machen. They were relatives of Jack Jones. The father could remember seeing a leather-bound original of the book. His daughter was quite impressed
we knew of Jack Jones the author as opposed to Jack Jones the singer who was popular at that time.
“Incidentally my wife Carole (New Ely Hotel) and I went to see Jack Jones junior in the Capitol Cinema one Sunday evening.”
Please send your letters and pictures to Brian Lee, Cardiff Remembered, South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR or email: brianlee4@virginmedia.com – please include a phone number as I cannot reply by letter.