Armistice Day is always an emotional time for the people living in our care homes, as many people served during the war, had close friends or families affected by it, or felt the impact the war had on their own lives – from being evacuated to losing loved ones.
This means each year, at each of our care homes, we always encourage people who wish to honour the day, to do so in whichever way they wish.
At Buchan House Care Home this year, Betty and Henry wanted to share their wartime stories during their Remembrance Day service.
Henry, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday, started his RAF career as a volunteer at the age of 18 in 1942. He progressed to a pilot and for 3 ½ years, Henry flew Wellingtons and Lancaster’s over 47 missions, which took him all over the world. His comrades nicknamed him the ‘Figure Man’ as he could always figure out where to go and how to find the target. After the war finished, Henry returned home to train as an accountant. When asked why he chose the RAF rather than the Navy Henry joked, “I didn’t fancy swimming if the ship sank.”
Betty then spoke about her wartime experiences whilst living in the West Midlands.
Betty, was 18 when she joined the Women’s Royal Air Crops (WRAC) in 1943. She was posted in the logistic depot supplying arms to the military. Initially, Betty was a forklift driver but her family recall stories of the many crashes she had, so they quickly moved her to packing the ammunition. Betty, who is now living with dementia, can no longer remember much about her time in the service but she does remember how good she looked in the uniform!
Hearing stories from residents who lived and served during the war on Armistice Day helped people to reflect and remember the lives of the people who served our country, and honour those who continue to serve our country today.
Lest we forget.