225724 WO. Robert Samuel Stuart Royal Air Force 99 Sqdn. from:Aberdeen My father, Robert Stuart served as a rear gunner in 99 Squadron, having lied about his age to become a 'Brylcreem boy'!
He was based in India, Bengal and told of 14-16 hour sorties over Burma with good companions, a flask of coffee, tin of corned beef and half a loaf! He told us about the 'angel' music which was the sound of the air passing against the fusilage which could be quite hypnotic but beautiful.
He also told of a briefing whereby his CO (I think Sandy Webster) cordially asked everyone if they could at least wear the same coloured shirt for the arrival of some dignitaries. Seems it was so hot the boys preferred to wear the local cotton shirts instead of uniform.
One afternoon in a local village he met with a group of people who were listening to a man who had arrived to talk to them. The man was Mahatma Ghandi. That meeting had a very profound effect on my father.
The squadron was involved in the collective bombing of the bridges on the river Kwai. Back home in Aberdeen, dad met up with his friend John Ross who, at the time of the bombing, managed to escape from his camp into the jungle, having been a prisoner on the Death Railway.
Having lied about his age those years before, when promotion came Robert became the youngest Warrant Officer in India.
Many years later dad joined the Aircrew Association where he thoroughly enjoyed meeting with like-minded and experienced men who, for one afternoon a month in smart flannels, blazer and regimental tie, became once again, the boys with the wind in their hair!
The experiences of India, good and bad, his time served with his squadron shaped my father for the future. We remain proud of him and his service even though he passed eleven years ago.
|