A former RAF airman will be travelling nearly 200 miles for a nostalgic trip to visit the Newark Aircraft Museum.
Ade Pitman will be leaving his home in Wales to visit the memorabilia from the former World War Two bomber base and post-war training base – RAF Swinderby – at the museum in Winthorpe.
Ade has self-published a book – The Peace Dividend, of his RAF memoirs, with a chapter dedicated to his start of career at RAF Swinderby at the age of 24.
“Like thousands of others, RAF Swinderby is part of my history,” said Ade.
He added: “I began my short RAF career there and although little can be seen today of the former RAF Station, I understand that not only is there an exhibit about the station at Newark Aircraft Museum, but also a memorial to the Station near the village hall.”
The former RAF airman last visited the training base around 20 years ago, remembering the remaining hangars, the famous gates he and other recruits marched through and the barrack blocks which are long gone and have been replaced by a housing estate.
He said: “I was one of the older recruits and joined the RAF at twenty-four, even though I looked like I was twelve.
“Coming from a small Devon fishing village, joining the forces was a real shock to me and I cried myself to sleep in the barracks that first night as I wondered what I had done.
“But we all made good friends along the way, and throughout our time serving we had experiences that those who had not joined can only read about. It was a different time. Snowflakes were something that we saw on detachment to Canada and being woke was when you had overslept and were being dragged out of bed by one of your mates.
“I didn't do anything heroic or exceptional. Like everyone who served, I was just doing my bit to keep the world safe and free.”
Ade got an MA degree in Military History at Birmingham University and currently works as a university lecturer at the University of South Wales, teaching Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
He has previously worked as an aircraft technician in both the RAF and the Ministry of Defence.
In his book, he questions whether politicians were overly optimistic or short sighted when they slashed Britain's defence capability at the stroke of a pen.
He also talks about Europe and being in a weaker position to face the uncertain perils of today’s world, referring to problems such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In his visit to the museum, Ade will be signing copies of his book from 11am to 1pm.
He will be meeting up with friends who he served during his nine years in the RAF.
