‘From the age of five I wanted to fly’ – RAF veterans of yesteryear to share their stories at IWM Duxford this weekend
Les Millgate served as pilot on Gloster Meteors with No 64 Squadron from 1952 to 1958. After leaving the RAF he became an airline pilot. - Credit: Archant
Visitors to IWM Duxford will have a chance to hear from RAF veterans this weekend, with pilots, navigators and others on hand to tell their stories.
Basil Gowling MBE was posted to No 65 Squadron at RAF Duxford from 1954 to 1956. He flew Gloster Meteors and was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1973. He was awarded the MBE in 1977. - Credit: Archant
Those returning include Les Millgate, pictured, who served as a pilot on Gloster Meteors at RAF Duxford and later became an airline pilot.
He recalled: “From the age of probably about five I wanted to fly – so just as soon as I could, at the age of 18, I volunteered for the air force.
“This was 1950 and that was it – and all these years later here I am still talking about aircraft.”
Stan Dell, who spent three years at Duxford as a ground equipment mechanic, said: “I always walk around Duxford with great memories of happy times which directly led to the success I achieved in later life.”
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Tickets for the event this Saturday and Sunday must be bought in advance from iwm.org.uk.
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