Reginald Jack Richardson
Royal Air Force
So proud of our grandfather Reginald Richardson who, sadly, passed away in April 2018. The following are exerts from a book he once started writing and our father's words from the funeral.
At the age of 18 he was the first to join the newly-formed local Air Training Corps and also part-time studied aerial navigation. As a result when he was called-up he was able to join the RAF. After three weeks of training at the Air Crew Reception Centre he was required to have a Night Vision test.
September 17th 1941 The End of a dream. The Officer closes the book and quietly says 'I am sorry to inform you that you are partially colour-blind', I ask how this condition affects my training, his reply is like a dagger thrust straight to my heart, 'I have to recommend to your Training Officer that you be removed from any further training for Air-crew duties'. I am completely devastated.
After retraining as ground crew he was upgraded to Aircraftsman First Class and posted to East Kirkby as instrument repairer. It was a pretty arduous time as they worked all hours to keep the Lancaster bombers flying. The following incident perhaps best describes a certain aspect of Dad’s character, determination.
31at of August 1944. Have today completed my first year of Service! August has equaled the Squadrons July record of operations, with the loss of only 3 aircraft. I have suffered the indignation of a reprimand from a visiting Sergeant from Workshops, this individual pays a visit to the Flights `once in a blue moon’, usually when the sun is at its zenith. He has seen me assisting Armourers manoeuvring a loaded bomb-trolley into position under a bomb-bay, called me to one-side and informed me it was not part of my remit to assist other trades and if I have time on my hands it is an indication that I am neglecting my own duties! Ignorant Bigot! he has no idea of working practices here on the Flights, here we all work towards the same end, `keep them flying’, we are all suffering sleep deprivation, Armourers worse than most, their work is heavy and subject to sudden changes, many are prime examples of Somnambulism, some have been removed from duty for their own safety, (as well as ours) accidents have been on the increase, fortunately none fatal, but chance of disaster is ever present with the large amount of High Explosive lying around the Dispersals!!. Demarcation of duties is not practicable, I have to accept the Sergeant's reprimand, without comment, but it will have no bearing on my future actions! I complete my assistance to the Armourers, return to the Flight hut and report my confrontation with Sergeant to my Corporal.
One thing that has aggrieved him over the years is the overwhelming impression that it was only the fighter pilots that won the war for Britain and that people have not necessarily forgotten the men of Bomber Command, but have largely uncelebrated their contribution. Within Bomber Command, attention is often focused on air crew, while the ground crew, who kept the aircraft flying in dangerous and arduous circumstances, are overlooked.
