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A veteran interview with

Ron Green

Ron Green was interviewed by Anika Pilnei, a TV Producer who came across his story whilst working in documentaries. With a sharp eye for a story she realised that Ron was a character with a great memory for detail and his military service was a history that needed sharing. Thank you Anika for taking the time and care to interview him so well. It’s much appreciated.

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About Ron Green

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Reviewed by:
Leila Nairne

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Home | Veterans | Ron Green

A veteran interview with

Ron Green

Screenshot

Ron Green was interviewed by Anika Pilnei, a TV Producer who came across his story whilst working in documentaries. With a sharp eye for a story she realised that Ron was a character with a great memory for detail and his military service was a history that needed sharing. Thank you Anika for taking the time and care to interview him so well. It’s much appreciated.

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https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Green, Ron. A Veteran Interview with Ron Green. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
APA Style:
Green, R. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Ron Green [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/
Chicago Style:
Green, Ron. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Ron Green. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/
Harvard Style:
Green, R. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Ron Green. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/ (Accessed: 17 May 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Green, R. A Veteran Interview with Ron Green [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ron-green/
An interview with

Tim Elkington

RAF veteran whose service took him from the Battle of Britain to Russia, the Atlantic and India.

Tim Elkington’s interview offers a compelling glimpse into the life of a WW2 Fighter Pilot. He begins by reflecting on his childhood and the circumstances leading to his arrival as a fresh 19-year-old cadet at Cranwell in April 1940. Only three months later he was posted to No. 1 Squadron at Northolt in North London, where he took part in the Battle of Britain. He was astonished by the minimal training he had received, despite the intense combat he was involved in.
On August 16, 1940, he had a harrowing encounter when he was attacked by a German Messerschmitt 109. The ordeal left him recovering for a period, but he eventually moved on to 134 Squadron, which was assigned to support Russian forces. He prepared to sail to Russia on HMS Argus and later trained Russian pilots for the Eastern Front. Elkington's service continued with a stint on a Catapult Aircraft Merchant ship. Out of 35 ships converted to CAM during the war, 12 were sunk. He didn't fly off much, but when he did, he admits 'it was interesting'! His next posting was to 539 Squadron, a Night Fighter unit where he was less enthusiastic about his role. A subsequent transfer to India saw him join a Hurricane Squadron, arriving after the Japanese threat had diminished, thus avoiding major combat. He reflects on a particularly frightening incident involving a forced instrument landing in thick fog. Elkington retired from the RAF in 1975, leaving behind a rich career of varied and intense experiences. Despite the risk and danger he faced, he reflects gratefully on the ability of RAF pilots to manoeuvre and take action when they are shot at and contrasts it to Navy personnel who were often unable to escape the danger around them. Special thanks to Tim and his wife, as well as Patrick Tootal of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, for facilitating this insightful interview.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Frank Ashleigh

Frank Ashleigh: Horsa Glider Pilot, POW, and the Long March from Market Garden

Frank Ashleigh was born in Stepney, London on the 23rd of December, 1924. In this interview he provides a detailed account of his service as a Horsa glider pilot with A Squadron. Following extensive training and some great stories, Frank talks about the 18th September and his role in Operation Market Garden. It's a thrilling account and the start of an amazing chapter of his life. Eventually, he is taken POW and although he admits to being Jewish, says he was treated impeccably. That's despite the long march! After the war he admits to being very anti-german and now puts this down to PTSD. He was a popular and active member of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen. This interview was one of several filmed in partnership with the Airborne Assault museum.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

John Edward Lee

John Edward Lee describes his experiences as a Royal Air Force navigator in 76 Squadron.

John Edward Lee joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot navigator after working at the Ministry of Supply. He trained abroad before completing the RAF observer course in navigation, bomb aiming, signals, and gunnery. After training in Lossiemouth Scotland, he joined the No. 76 Squadron as a Lancaster navigator. John flew in thirty-one bombing raids and experienced several close calls flying at 18,000 feet, under attack and blinded by enemy searchlights. He later recalls the stunning sight of thousands of ships below as he flew across the channel on D-Day. After his crew disbanded, they reunited at RAF Moreton-in-the-Marsh. John then extended his service, becoming a navigation instructor and radar specialist, teaching crews’ telemetry for atom bomb drops. He later trained on Vickers Valiants and Wellington Bombers, issuing targets and briefing missions in Russia. John described his RAF career as fascinating and fulfilling, proud of his role and contributions.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Rebecca Fleckney