Spy drop airman ‘lucky to be here’

RICHARD Wellings served with an RAF Special Duty Squadron based in Jessore, Bengal, dropping spies and supplies to troops behind enemy lines in South East Asia.

Now 98, he said: “We had some hairy moments and it was said that for every spy we dropped it cost three lives. I feel very lucky to be here.”

Richard also trained Ghurkas and agents, instructing them how to safely parachute into enemy territory.

He said: “I think young people today think these are fairy stories. They have no idea what it was like. My memories are always there. I think about the friends I lost every day.”