Folded Wings

Jean Hall

Rosemead, California October 25, 2020

It is my sad duty to report the death of Jean Hall on Sunday October 25, 2020.  Jean, together with her late husband, Verne, and daughter Cathy, has probably done more for the Burtonwood Association than anyone else. 

I first met Verne at San Antonio, TX in 1986 at a BAD#2 reunion.  We talked and agreed to set up the Burtonwood Association.  The rest of that is history. 

Jean was not present at that reunion but she and Verne were founder members of the Mary Ann Reunion Group led by Bob Jackson from Phoenix, AZ.  Verne had served at Burtonwood at BAD#1 in hangar 6 on Mary Ann Site from 1943 until 1945.  That group closed in 1997, due to the passing of Bob Jackson. Verne and Jean took up the challenge and started a series of mini reunions for the ex-Mary Ann Site group and anyone else from Burtonwood who wished to attend. These reunions were mostly in Arizona, Nevada or California.  They had already started to attend the US and UK Association reunions from 1990 simultaneously.  They arranged the mini reunions not to clash. 

That wasn’t enough!  In 1994 they started the California Brunch Group which met at The Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach, CA close to the Queen Mary ocean liner.  These were no annual meetings, they met on the last Sunday every month and enjoyed a great meal, games and lots of friendship. At this time Jean arranged for all her family to join the Association, one was Linda Bendt who attended many reunions but sadly passed-away in May 2020.  Another was Jean’s brother Terry Rich.  Terry hosted our Portland, OR reunion in 2014.

Verne passed-away in March 1999 but Jean was not going to stop.  Verne had joined our Board and was Association Historian. He started to compile our data base of names and details of those who had served at Burtonwood.  By the time of his death he had amassed over 14,000 names.  Verne became ill but Jean looked after him, drove him around the USA in their motor home and brought him to the UK reunions in his wheelchair. 

After his death in 1999, Jean took it over immediately, joined the Board and acted as data base co-ordinator.  She became Vice President and remained on the Board until 2016.  At that time Cathy became our Board Secretary.  This kept the Hall family on our Board continuously from 1990.  Cathy had worked tirelessly with Jean and attended her first reunion at Colorado Springs in 2001 and took over the California Brunch group organisation.  Jean and Cathy have organised Association reunions at Las Vegas and New Orleans and been heavily involved with several others including two at Shreveport, LA in 2005 and 2008.

Jean always took it upon herself to write to members who had not renewed their dues, checking on their well being and keeping their membership alive.  She and Cathy met up with Rose Wilson who was a film maker and produced the movie ‘Grey Ghost’ about the story of the Queen Mary and especially her war-time career ferrying troops both ways across the Atlantic.  Verne, together with long term member Noble Pottenger, were two of thousands who came to Britain aboard her. 

A memorial to all US service personnel who crossed the Atlantic on ‘The Queen’ was set up on-board and individual plaques are available to name a relative Portland OR Reunion 2014.  L-R Linda Bendt, Jean’s daughter; Jean Hall; Cathy Hammond, Jean’s daughter and Terry Rich, reunion Host and Jean’s brother.

Away from Burtonwood Jean was heavily committed to local politics. Her city responsibilities included Traffic Commissioner and various city political organizations but her highest honor was filling the seat of City Council Member; Steven Ly, while he was serving his military commitments abroad.

After hip surgery she did recover beautifully only to be tested positively for Covid-19 for three weeks isolating her from therapy or going home. Once negatively tested, Cathy removed her from the rehabilitation center to come home for private physical therapy. It is unknown whether the virus complicated her physical systems to fully recover. She passed peacefully at home with Cathy at her side. 

She will be remembered as a tireless worker, leader, supporter and champion of all things Burtonwood.  She always had time to listen and give advice and has been such an asset to us that it is impossible to cover all the great work she has done for us.  She will never be forgotten.  Rest in peace Jean.

Aldon Ferguson.

Our President, George Nelson remembers and honours Jean:

I just recently found out about Jean Halls Passing, it was shocking sad news. Jean was a great Lady, very pleasant to talk to and an inspiration to all whom she came into contact with. She worked hard and did a lot for the Association.  When husband Verne died she carried on with the work he did for the Association.

Jean was a very gratuitous woman, I remember when the two of us were competing for the 2003 reunion, sponsorship Nashville was selected.  Jean came to me and congratulated me and offered to help in any way she could.  Jean drove Verne in their Motor Home to all the Reunions. They never made it to Nashville as Verne became ill and had to be hospitalized in Arizona. She called me and asked if I would inform the members. She was a very willing and helpful person and was well liked by everyone. She will be missed not only by her Family but all in the Burtonwood  Association Family.

God Bless You    Rest in Peace         

George Nelson  

Jim Bentley, our President from 2007 until 2019 remembers Jean:

May and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Hall, our friend and my go to person over the years when I was the Treasurer and President and needed to bounce an idea or proposal to her  for  thought,  I highly respected Jean for her extreme dedication to the association and our professional relationship.

Although we had a close friendship over the years I could never get her to call me by my first name.  It was always Mr. Bentley.  She always told me that I was her President and she respected the office and me,  I remember traveling to California one year to attend her “Brunch Lunch Group”  I was introduced as Mr Bentley, our president.   I was treated as if I was royalty,  Then there was the New Orleans Reunion that she and daughter Cathy hosted,  Our entertainment  was a true Madi Gras celebration, complete with masks, jewelry, etc,  What a night to remember with everyone wearing masks.

Thank you Jean for being my friend; enjoy your everlasting celebration in heaven with Verne and Linda.  We will meet again someday.

Richard Bowman Sr

Annville, PA 9th May 2020

Richard Bowman Sr from Annville, PA served at BAD#1, Burtonwood from 1943 until 1946. He was an aircraft engineer working in the hangars on modifications, repairs and getting new aircraft into service. During WWII a large number of B-17 and B-24 bombers were damaged on bombing missions over Europe and force landed in Switzerland. At the end of WWII the Swiss authorities asked the USAAF to remove these aircraft.  A large group of mechanics left Burtonwood to render the aircraft serviceable so they could be flown back to Burtonwood. Those too badly damaged were to be used as spares and then scrapped in Switzerland.  Richard was one of the guys chosen to travel to Dubendorf airfield (now Zurich Airport) to recover these aircraft. Sadly, one of the aircraft ferrying the guys out initiated an overshoot and go-around but crashed killing most on board.

Richard was safe and worked on the aircraft and then travelled to many places in Switzerland and Europe before going back to Burtonwood.

Richard was 94 in 2020 but still had attended our last reunions in both the US and UK. These pictures are a dedication to him and his work at Burtonwood and for being such a wonderful person and loyal member of the RAF Burtonwood Association.  Well done Richard!

Ernest Edwin Louis ‘Lou’ Robbins

Santa Maria, CA

March 9 1922 – March 15, 2020

Lou has been a member since 1999 and quietly attended many reunions in the US and UK.

He was British, born on March 9, 1922, in the Cotswolds and was an apprentice plumber when WWII broke out.  He worked on many of the airfields in the area including Brize Norton and Lyneham and had many stories to tell me about those times. One was a Luftwaffe attack on Lyneham (which was under construction) during daylight hours when a hangar was damaged and several killed.  He avoided injury but the hangar was completed shorter than normal rather then repairing it to full length.

He was called up and joined the army as a dispatch rider on motorcycles. The attached photo shows him on May 19, 1943 outside the YMCA at Corsham in Wiltshire.  He adored motorbikes all his life and even when he was too old to have his own, the local motorcycle dealer would lend him one for a ‘burn-up’!

I took Lou to Manchester airport a few times after UK reunions and he would rent a car from Hertz (the only company to lease to someone his age).  He would drive down to Wiltshire to visit his relatives and then return the car to Manchester and fly home to Santa Maria, CA.

After the war Lou became a pipe fitter on Site 2 at Burtonwood for eight years and then a charge hand for the heating of Header House on Site 8 and also a period on Site 3. He served at Burtonwood as a civilian from 1948 until May 1958.

He emigrated to the US and was married twice. His first wife, Madge, was English and they had a son, Chris.  They emigrated to Ventura, CA but sadly both Chris and Madge died at an early age. He remarried in California to Beth and continued his love of travel and photography.  Lou was one of the very last to transfer from wet photography to digital and he was an excellent photographer.

After our 2016 UK reunion, John Cotterill took Lou St Wilfred’s Church, Grappenhall and tells the story as follows:

Sunday 22nd May 2016 saw 94 year old Lou Robbins return to the choir stalls in St Wilfred’s Church in Grappenhall village on the south side of Warrington. Lou is seen sitting in the place he occupied some 82 years earlier, in his position of Head Choirboy! Accompanied by Dick Lowrance and Margaret Poythress, who had asked to see some English Country lanes, we travelled around the very narrow lanes going out of Grappenhall via Appleton Thorn and towards Arley. We had earlier called at the church but there was a christening taking place, so we returned after our detour through the lanes and passing Lou’s first house on the outskirts of Grappenhall.

On arrival back at St Winifred’s Lou went straight to the choir stalls to retake his rightful place. The vicar greeted us and Lou and her exchanged memories and stories from the past. Margaret, Dick, Lou and I then took lunch in the Parr Arms which is immediately adjacent to the Church before returning to Gulliver’s Hotel for afternoon tea. A thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours was had and I was delighted to be able to get Lou back to some of the places he remembered as a child.

Lou, Rest in Peace, you will not be forgotten


Alvin Vance Palmer

Camarillo, CA                                                         

April 1, 1928 – October 17, 2018

Al Palmer died peacefully in his sleep on October 17, 2018 at his home in Camarillo, California with his devoted wife, Val, at his side.

Al was born in Wentworth, New Hampshire to Alma Sutherland Palmer and Vance Alvin Palmer.  When Al was 4 years old his parents divorced and this was the beginning of much sadness in Al’s life. Neither he nor his younger brother, Eddie, nor his sister, Marion, would ever see their father again. This sadness was further compounded two years later with the death of his mother from tuberculosis. Al was barely 6 years old. With no other relatives to care for Al and his siblings, they were placed in a foster care home in Woodsville, New Hampshire where they remained for 6 years with Mrs. Winnie Lupien. It was here that Al experienced the care of a loving family relationship as well as developing what turned out to be a life-long zest for learning and for irrelevant trivia. For those who knew Al, this interest for trivia became an area of  delightful enthusiasm. In later life Val even went so far as to have business cards printed with his name and his title “Professional Curmudgeon.”

Abruptly, and without explanation, Al and his siblings were removed from Winnie Lupien’s care on Christmas Eve, 1940 and each placed in multiple and separate foster care homes for many years after which Al was able to locate his brother and sister, but they never lived together again.

When Al was 17, he was sent to live with Senator Styles Bridges of New Hampshire; it was here that Al’s life turned in a happy and positive direction. Senator Bridges recognized Al’s sharp mind, quick wit, extreme intelligence, and an unbridled and eager desire to learn. The Senator arranged through Congress for Al to join the Army Air Corps under a new and special program involving radar at Boca Raton Radar School in Florida.

While in the service and stationed at a small outpost in northern Maine, Al was part of the first radar “shoot” of the moon. It was an event he never forgot. He always said, “My entire life was determined by the radar schooling I had in the service.” Al was also stationed at Burtonwood, England’s RAF base before being discharged in 1949 with the permanent rank of Tech Sergeant. Shortly after the Korean War broke out in 1950 Al was recalled for two additional tours of duty and was eventually and permanently discharged in 1956.

Upon discharge from the Air Corps, Al worked for Taller & Cooper Engineering firm in Brooklyn, New York. This was when President Eisenhower initiated and created the intercontinental road system which were all funded through tolls. The vast experience Al eventually gained at Taller & Cooper allowed him to establish his own company, Palmer and Associates, and to relocate to southern California. Al actually developed the toll booth ticket issuing and collection machines used on roads, bridges, airport and stadium parking garages along with the FasTrak system which exists on many road systems throughout the country. As a toll road engineering consultant, Al traveled to over 20 countries and throughout the United States. Highlights in Al’s illustrious career were developing the toll system for the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia, the Peace Bridge in New York, and the entire Florida turnpike system. He took special pride in developing the toll booths at Dodger Stadium and the #73 freeway in Orange County.  Al was so well known in this business that throughout his career he was affectionately referred to as “Mr. Tolls.” He even had his license plate personalized with “Mr. Tolls”.

Throughout his illustrious career, Al was responsible for the preparation of all contract Documents for nearly all the toll road collection systems throughout the world including 269 bridges & tunnels, 90 turnpikes and toll roads and 188 parking systems.

Volunteering his time was another attribute that Al thoroughly enjoyed. He was a docent at the Commemorative Air Force Base in Camarillo, the Camarillo Ranch House, the Murphy Auto Museum, and what was most important to him was the 16 years he spent as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley where he attained  in excess of 10,000 hours volunteering. His active involvement at the Library included serving on the Volunteer Association’s Council on 3 separate occasions and being the coordinator for the Friday afternoon shift for 16 consecutive years. It was here, at the Reagan Presidential Library, that he met and eventually married his wife, Val.

Al is survived by his sister, Marion, his sons Alan (Denise) and Scott and stepson Brent Trockman (Suzie) and step grandchildren Shawn, Jillian, Stephen, Paulina, and Chloe and lastly, his beloved wife, Val.

So long, Mr. Tolls, we sure will miss you.


Gordon Simpson, passed away on Monday 8 October 2018. 

Gordon and Iris have been members since March 2002 and have been to all the US reunions since commencing at Colorado Springs in the same year; that year hosted by Doyle Dillon.  Although not based at Burtonwood, Gordon was in the British Army and they lived at Croft, close to Burtonwood and even closer to the former sub site at Croft.  Gordon was a fountain of knowledge and liked to pass on information he had learned.  He had a great interest in the Titanic disaster and also the loss of Glenn Miller.  Gordon was Treasurer of the UK Association for some years but suffered from ill health.  Due to the loss of a lung he had breathing difficulties so developed an interest in electric scooters.  He used one and was known for his high speed manoeuvers but he also generously helped our members when travelling to the UK by making scooters available for them.  Attached is a photo of him (left) with Richard Bowman (age 94) at Travis Perkins during the 2018 UK Reunion.  Iris remains the UK Membership Secretary and we send he our deep condolences.  Gordons funeral is on Monday 29 October.


Veronica Lyson
Junior Lyson

VERONICA PATRICIA LYSON, nee GRAHAM married to MASTER SERGEANT JUNIOR LOUIS LYSON
7559th Motor Pool stationed at Burtonwood from 1948-1952

Veronica passed away on the 26th June 2013Junior passed away on the13th January 1989
passed away in Liverpool and interned in Liverpool West Derby Cemetery.
Survived by 5 children lived a fabulous life stationed all over the world however eventualley settling back in Liverpool


Lafayette-Poole

LAFAYETTE E. POOLE. Lafayette E. Poole, known by many as just plain “Poole” departed this world on his new adventure in Gods own Country on November 26, 2012. He was born July 22, 1932 at Brownsville, Arkansas. He loved the outdoors and country environment and was a very talented artist. “Poole” was a great trickster and possessed a wicked sense of humor. After graduating from high school in 1950 he entered the Air Force as a mechanic and was assigned to RAF Burtonwood. In 1952 Lafayette sent for his fiancée Kay, and they were married at Burtonwood.

In 1954 he returned to civilian life and entered the University of Arkansas and earned his degree in Geology and began his career as a petroleum geologist in Billings, Montana. In addition to his civilian career Lafayette continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, and National Guard retiring with 32 years of military service. This old, red-haired Geologist walked over most of Montana, and made many friends, spreading friendship, humor, and good will. He was also a very active member of the Burtonwood Association spreading his humor and laughter. Lafayette was laid to rest with full military honours at the Veterans National Cemetery in Laurel, Montana.


Willy-Pothen

WILBERT ‘WILLY’ POTHEN
From Robert Steele. I’am the son in law to Wilbert Pothen, I accompanied him to the 2006 & 2008 Burtonwood Association Reunions in Southport and Manchester (respectively). On Friday (8.30.13), my wife and I transported him from a Transitional Care Facility to a Residential Adult Care Facility where he was to receive further Physical Therapy to eventually become discharged back to civilization as it were. This care facility is his nephew & his Wife’s personal home. They are a WARM, loving, happiness & spiritual Family who opened their home to him.
Above: Excellent photo of Willy
He had a wonderful morning, joking with All,Kids,Adults, etc. Layed down for a small nap, and passed sometime around 2.30pm Saturday 8.31.13. He always wanted to pass in his sleep in a SAFE & Comfortable environment. God has granted this wish, and gave him Wings at the same time.

Please pass on to those who are of interest and most importantly,
please know that the 3 Reunions that he attended played a MAJOR role in his life. He could be in a slump and if i could get him talking about the reunions, it ALWAYS seemed to be best Medicine. Better than any prescription ever could. I truly believe that the Love & Happiness felt by him All of You was a motivating him to keep fighting the fight and Living the Dream. Not to mention Dreaming the Life.


JOYCE ANN SIMMONS, wife of Richard R. Simmons Passed away at her home in Folsom, California on September 28th, surrounded by her family.Joyce and Richard were members of the Burtonwood Association for about 13 years and attended almost all the UK and US reunions, including this year in England. They hosted the 2007 reunion in Folsom, California. Richard was stationed at Burtonwood from 1951-1954, where he met Joyce.


BETTY ARENDALL
Condolences or anything that you might like to express for the “Memory Book” that family members are creating.
This book will then be given to Betty & Charles’ son Tyree.
Taking the time to do this will be much appreciated as you know how much Charles & Betty contributed to the formation of our 59th Air Police Sqdn.
Association and the reunions that they hosted and attended.


WILY E BRATCHER (s/sgt 59th Air Police Sqn)
From George Raishy:
Wiley was another good buddy from the 59th Air Police Squadron who died on May 7th, 2012 at the age of 83,
Multiple health issues over the past few years proved to be the cause of his passing.
His name is Wiley E.Bratcher, who was a Staff Sergeant,during his tour of duty at Burtonwood which extended from 1951 to 1954.
He served on both Town Patrol and later in the Air Police investigations.
Without a doubt he was the sharpest Airman in our squadron, which was recognized whenever there was a special event calling for a formal squadron appearance.
He was designated to carry the squadron staff (flag) in front of the marching group. Wiley’s closest friend, Don Jenkins, mentioned that in the all Euro Military Police Competition, in Germany, among some 400 participants, Wiley was awarded a second place trophy for his skills as well as for his sharp military appearance.
Wiley was strong in his faith and will be greatly missed by those who knew him and served with him. Condolences may be extended to his wife Sylvia and family. If the address is needed they can contact me at <raishy@cox.net> or by telephone:402-572-6674.
Thanks much for all that you do….George Raishy.


Nancy Mitchell

NANCY MITCHELL
From Alison Watkins: Just wanted to let family and friends to know of my mother’s passing (NANCY MITCHELL).
She was one strong woman and I always wished her mind was a stong.
I would have loved you to be able to talk to her and missed that a lot. She was ready as she had not had much of an existence for the last couple of years. She will be cremated and her ashes buried by our father Harry Mitchell in Union City, California. She was 93 years old and lived a good life.We will have a memorial for the family sometime in November.
Nancy met Harry at RAF Calveley in Cheshire, they married in Edinburgh Scotland. Harry subsequently joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and on retiring from that moved to California where he was a leading light in the Canadian branch of the Royal British Legion.
Nancy and Harry attended many of our reunions in both the US and UK.  Above: Nancy & Harry Mitchell at Shreveport 2008.


CHARLES D MITCHELL
Of La Grange, NC served with the 59th Air Depot Wing, HQ & HQ Sqn from October 1948 to Nov 1949. and has been a member since 3rd August 1992 passed away on 15th Feb 2012.
We were advised by Katie Mitchell & send our condolences to her & her family.


GEORGE ANDREW DODD Captain (Retd)
Site Engineer RAF Burtonwood 1984-2009.
From his Heartbroken Children.
The greatest gift anyone gave me was my Dad and that gift was from God,
he sadly passed away at home on the 17th September 2012 with all his family around him.
Everyone from the Association who knew his passion to keep the memory alive and always did his utmost to assist with anything that we needed.
He enjoyed the recent reunion and was so proud of me and my involvement with pushing the Heritage Centre forward.
Dad was Army through and through and a consummate professional not only as a soldier but as a husband and father.
The biggest honour of service life is the camaraderie and respect you have for each other as soldiers.
A soldiers Eulogy only contains simple words and words that spring to mind that describe Dad are: Honour, Compassion, Generosity, Trust, Loyalty, Inspirational, Wise, an Influencer.


RALPH M BRINDISE
From Chicago, IL, served at BAD No.1 on site 4 from Jan 43 toFeb 44 and has been a member since Feb 2000.
Jerry Brindise, his son called to say that his father RALPH BRINDISE passed away after a long illness on January 20th.
Info from Jean Hall. Our condolences to Jerry and his family.


RICHARD F ‘IKE’ IWANOWSKI,


Age 84, passed away on Thursday October 9th 2014.
Beloved husband of the late Anne Clare (nee Tauscher).
Dearest step-father of Sharon (Allan) Duren of Cibolo, Texas and Deborah (Howard) Johnson of Bartlett, Illinois. Proud grandfather of five and loving great – grandfather of ten. Dear brother of Stanley (the late Mildred) Iwanowski.
Veteran United States Air Force, Korean conflict, retired 37 year veteran of the Chicago Police Dept, 4th degree life member of St Rita Council #2034 K.of C, life member of VFW Post 198, life member of American Legion Police Post 207, and the Illinois Police Association with members of the 3rd and 8th Air Forces.
Ike served at Burtonwood with 59th Air-craft Equipment Repair Squ (1951); 7545th Aircraft Equip Repair Squ Dec 50-Dec 53 and played with the Burtonwood Gadgets softball team.
He is a long term member of the Burtonwood Association having served on the Board for many years and also acted as recruiter being responsible for recruting many members and making many more aware of our existence.
He also co-ordinated several reunions, notably the two at Shreveport,
LA the first of which was almost aban-doned as the hotel was full of evacuees from Hurricane Katrine which devastated New Orleans.
It was at these reunions we dedicated out memorial at Barksdale AFB and rededicated it with full reunion two years later.
Ike always found a quiet spot at a bar for the duration of each reunion and would have three glasses laid out, one with a scotch, another with a beer and the third with water. We set the same three drinks up at the bar for our dinner at the reunion hotel in Portland, Or on the evening of his tragic death.
See photo Above.
The RAF Burtonwood Association owes a lot to Ike and we will never forget him.

John McMullen

John “Jack” McMichael passed away at home on November 11, 2017.  His friend John McMullen writes: He was born in Kennett Square, PA and was 88 years of age.  He often referred to his wife, Val, as the only souvenir from his military duty in England.  He, Val and daughter Kay were avid members of the Burtonwood Association and seldom missed the yearly US reunion.  He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.  Jack served at Burtonwood from February 1954 to September 1956 with 7559th Aircraft Equipment Repair Squadron, 59th Air Depot Wing.  He has been a member since June 1999 and was a Life Member.

Joan Norvill Harper

Jim Bentley writes: ‘May and I have lost another long time friend.  May has known Joan since grammar school days.  She and Herb were members of the Burtonwood Association and the 98th Bomb Group, where Herb was the Historian.’

‘Joan Norvill Harper, was born on Oct 30, 1935 in Liverpool, England,  and resided there until her marriage to American Serviceman Herb Harper from RAF Burtonwood and Tennessee.  Joan passed away on September 28, 2017.’  

‘Shortly after their marriage they moved to the US.  In 1961 Joan became a naturalized citizen.  During her Air Force years, she was active in the NCO Wives Club and as a volunteer in the Base Chapel ministry.  After retirement, both Joan and Herb remained active in the Air Force community attending reunions to form new friendships with fellow veterans and their families.  She was also a member of the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association (TBPA) and was instrumental in forming a British Club, known as the “Brit Pack”, whereby giving the opportunity for British Nationals, mostly GI Brides, the opportunity to communicate with each to share their stories via E-mail.  Joan was a very caring person, always willing to help others.’

‘She is survived by her husband of almost 61 years, Herbert C. Harper of Georgetown, Tennessee, three children, Suzanne, Ian, and Keith and four beloved grandchildren.’

Margaret Royds

Margaret’s son Tim writes: Margaret Royds (nee Styles) passed peacefully on 16th November 2017 at her home in Kingsbury, Tamworth, Staffordshire. 

Margaret served at Burtonwood in the latter years of World War II, and it was here that she met Len, who she married in September 1945.  He’d been invalided from service with the RAF in Burma, and was ordered to report to Margaret as his new boss – which in those days for a tough Yorkshireman was a tough posting!  They enjoyed 67 years or marriage together and remained deeply in love until Len’s death in 2012. 

Margaret’s time at Burtonwood and with the WAAF remained important to her all her life.  She enjoyed attending a key reunion there, and right up until her last years remained in touch with friends made during her service.  Indeed, right up until her passing, she insisted on wearing her WAAF badge daily, and woe betide the Carer who inadvertently mislaid it! 

Margaret will be very sadly missed by her son Tim, and his wife Iris, though we will have extraordinarily fond and happy memories of our time together.

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