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My memory is of VE Day in Manchester, near to where I was stationed at Heaton Park. I was undergoing Aircrew Training for 2 weeks in Manchester and found I had a free day. I went into the town with 2 friends, Stan Reuben and Doug Gardiner, to be met by people wearing red white and blue rosettes and flags and bunting everywhere.We sat on the dase of the War Memorial in St Peter's Square and began singing. Slowly people began joining in until about 300 were singing and celebrating with us. The event was reported in the local newspaper the following day and I still have somewhere at home the sepia photograph of the three of us.
We returned to Cranage to complete our training. We were then sent to RAF Elmdon, nr Birmingham airport to learn to fly Tiger Moth. Initially 'classroom' training was undertaken before flying instruction. This was later reversed because it was realized it was pointless continuing our training of other areas if we could not handle an aircraft. This training was carried out at Grading School.
I began my training on VJ Day before undertaking my flight engineer training.
I entered the RAF just before D Day and passed out in April 1946 from St Athan.
I was also an Air Raid Shelter messenger at 15 yrs old, combined withfire watching duties.
My wife wrote her memories in 'A child in Wartime' which was completed, but not published shortly before she died in April 2005, after 51 years of marriage. I have left a copy of her story with Tonbridge Library in Kent.
This story was submitted to the People's War site by Gillian Estall and has been added to the website on behalf of Charles Jackson who fully understands the site's terms and conditions

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