ANDERSON Family at War

ANDERSON FAMILY AT WAR

Leslie Arthur Hewitt Anderson (1912-1990). F/Sgt RAF. Served at RAF Tangmere 1940-1946 providing training and instruction relating to the threat of gas attacks. Whilst there, he was a member of the Guard of Honour at the burial of Pilot Officer Billy Fiske, the first American serviceman in the RAF to lose his life in action. The funeral took place on 20 August 1940. There is a memorial plaque to PO Billy Fiske in the crypt at St Paul's Cathedral.

During his time at Tangmere the pilot Douglas Bader flew from there. Leslie remembered seeing him regularly pass the office, making his way to his aircraft flanked by two assistants. He was always anxious to be the first to be airborne and was often seen ‘remonstrating’ with them to ‘hurry up’. His language was apparently quite colourful!

Margaret Letitia Anderson (later Donnan). L/Cpl ATS Hereford 1942-1943
No 9WOSB. Overseas Admin France and Belgium 1943-1945 Malines 11HQ L of C Area BAOR.

At Hereford the War Office Selection Board was for some months based at The Green Dragon Hotel in the town and later at Bradbury Barracks. Margaret enjoyed her time in Hereford. She is still in contact with two of her ATS friends and colleagues: Dorothy Pollack and Sheila Hanrahan.

It was during this time she met her future husband at a local dance, Jim Donnan (See “The Last Flight of Lancaster DV189-T2”), who was stationed nearby at Madley some 7 miles away. Jim originated from Northern Ireland and some months later when he was posted elsewhere, he gave Margaret an aunt’s address as a contact should she fail to hear from him. In this way she discovered he had been shot down and taken POW. They were later reunited in June 1945 and married in September 1945.

Dorothy Joy Anderson (later Atkinson). LACW WAAF 1944-1946. Wireless Operator. Joined up at Wilmslow, Cheshire, trained at Blackpool and nr. Calne, Wilts. Posted to Lichfield, Gransden Lodge and Milton Ernest, Beds. Dorothy has fond memories of her leisure time whilst training in Blackpool, particularly the dances at the Winter Gardens and Tower Ballroom.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.