From Blue to Grey: Recollections from the RAF Careers and Subsequent Lives of Members of 54 Entry Royal Air Force College, Cranwell (1949-51)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1903953723 ISBN 13: 9781903953723

Publisher: Woodfield Publishing, 2005

This is a fascinating book and contains the recollections of some of the members of 54 Entry, Royal Air Force College, Cranwell. 34 of them became Flight Cadet Pilots in 1949 and 31 graduated in 1951. Within two years, four of them had died flying in the RAF and a further two were killed on operations later. This was a high peacetime casualty rate but, as usual, it was accepted as part of that way of life. Using their own words; "We were young in those days. We did deeds and ventured new things. We lived under discipline, had authority and gave orders. We did not think much about getting old." By 2005 just 18 had survived and in their recollections they look back on their lives and then talk about a reunion they recently held at Cranwell and the special feelings generated by the Old Cranwellian Association.