Synopsis (from the book cover):
In this true, fascinating and very moving story, Ted Cowling takes the reader through his childhood to his enlistment into the RAF on 4th September 1939. He describes his brushes with death in the skies over Europe and his part in a top secret and highly dangerous mission to Russia in 1941, upon which the course of the Second World War turned.
In 1944 he saved the lives of his crew and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “For courage and devotion to duty on service whilst flying against the enemy”. He became “Top Gun” instructor and married the beautiful young WAAF who one night saved his life. After the RAF he entered the world of entrepreneur. Success followed but with it desperate tragedy and sadness.
Review:
The book tells Ted’s life story starting with his childhood and his desire to fly. This desire led him to volunteer to join the RAF at the outbreak of WWII. The books takes us through his days serving with Bomber Command and Coastal Command in WWII and his near brushes with death. Whilst serving in Coastal Command he was hand picked to fly on a top secret and highly dangerous mission to deliver President Roosevelt’s personal envoy through the arctic circle to meet Stalin. His recollection of the events provides a personal detailed account of this historical moment.
After this mission to the arctic circle he was allowed to train as a pilot and realise his dream to fly aircraft. On completion of his training he returned to Bomber Command as a pilot. When his stint in Bomber Command ended he was transferred to Training Command to become a ‘top gun’ instructor. This was where he again faced death, leading him to meet his future wife.
On retiring from the RAF he became an entrepreneur, initially starting out working for Bates and Hunt (Agriculture) and later ending up running his own business.
His personal life however was tinged with sadness. In the later chapters of the book he reflects on how lucky he was to survive the war and meet the love of his life, his thoughts then move on to how he paid the price later.
I thoroughly recommend the book. It gives a personal account of important events in our history.
After-note:
From the May 2014 edition of the ‘Wrekin News’:
Local man Ted Cowling looks like having to wait for the opportunity of receiving the Medal of Ushakov in his recognition of the bravery shown by a few select airmen who flew an American diplomat to Archangel in Russia to pave the way for Arctic convoys.
The convoys went some way to helping Russia fight on the Western Front against German invaders, and so helped shorten the war.
Ted (aged 94) has had confirmation the medal will be awarded him in the Russian Embassy in London, but the Ukrainian situation must throw some doubt about the award taking place in the near future.
The full article can be read here.
Sounds like a rollicking good tale, Cherie.
It is a fascinating personal memoir