Air Vice Marshal Larry Lamb served with the RAF for 38 years, he took part in World War II and the Berlin airlift. Larry explains that his interest started when his Aunt bought him a book about the RAF. Larry went on to volunteer to join the RAF in 1941. Larry talks about training, explaining that candidates had to fly a Tiger Moth aircraft in under 12 hours of instruction to proceed. He passed this stage of training, with it only taking 8 hours of instruction. Training continued in Canada and Larry impressed so much that he was eventually put up for commission (made an officer) and was chosen to become a flight instructor. Larry continued as a flight instructor for the rest of the war. After the war, Larry joined Transport Command and went to Germany to fly in the Berlin airlift as a second pilot. During his time as a second pilot, he gained some much needed experience with that type of aircraft. This experience led to him joining No. 47 squadron as a captain, where he continued his work during the airlift. On his first flight in the airlift, he recalls the ‘shambolic’ state of Berlin, describing it as a very sobering experience. He describes that a standard day consisted of two trips, each lasting about two and a half hours there and back. The cargo transported into Berlin was mostly coal, sometimes tobacco. Larry mentions that contact with the Germans was discouraged at the time. Later in life Larry became Vice President of the British Airlift association and in 2008 showed his Royal Highness around the allied museum. Larry also went on to referee top flight international rugby!

Upon turning 18, Betty Hutton decided to join the air force and began her military career in the RAF Balloon Command, working in both London and Manchester. When the air force started to reduce the use of barrage balloons – at the same time deciding it wasn’t a role fit for a woman after all, much to the serving women’s chagrin – Betty opted to become an aircraft mechanic. After successfully completing her training Betty began working on the Whitley aircrafts, but as an assistant she wasn’t allowed to do any of the critical mechanical work herself. Determined to progress her role, she undertook further training and passed out as a Fitter 2A, holding sole responsibility for carrying out mechanical work on the Wellington aircraft, which she found frightening but exhilarating. Betty’s story of course contains personal accounts of loss and sadness that serve as stark reminders of the heartbreak and devastation of war, but it’s abundantly clear to see – despite the great modesty with which she shares her memories – the significant contribution her hard work and commitment made to the war effort.

Gwyn Lloyd Hughes talks about his life journey from Kragllechan Farm near Ruthin, North Wales, his life in the RAF, and as a pilot, and ends with his later years as a farmer and his return to Wales. Gwyn joined the RAF in early 1944 as a flight engineer, after wanting to be a pilot. He trained with the Air Training Corps, flying Tiger Moths, and served with 77 Squadron, completing operations in Halifax bombers, including missions over France. He shares his experiences of some missions, including experiencing flak and being attacked on two occasions by enemy aircraft. He reflects on the camaraderie with fellow airmen who he calls “all … one family” who would “do anything for each other”; but also reflects on their loss, asking “why do the good blokes always go? Why do the good die young?” After being demobbed in 1948, Gwyn moved to Transport Command, where he flew during the Berlin Airlift. He talks proudly about his role and how the work they did saved lives by delivering essential supplies including food and flour. Finally after the war Gwyn struggled to find work and moved to Zimbabwe for a job with Cable and Wireless. Leaving aviation and engineering behind completely in the 50s, he became a farmer but lost his farm during the political upheaval in the 1990s.