Reluctant Hero. John Hickman

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      RELUCTANT HERO

      A True Story

      by

      John Hickman

      Order this book online at major online book stores Or at selected book stores in Australia & New Zealand. Purchase autographed copies direct from [email protected] This book is featured at www.authorjohnhickman.com

      © Copyright 2011 John Hickman.

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

      Printed worldwide by Lightning Source

      Cover design, metadata, manuscript formatting, templates and photograph enhancement by Publicious Pty Ltd.

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      ISBN: 978-0-9870945-1-3 - paperback

      ISBN: 978-0-9870945-2-0 - hardback

       ISBN: 978-0-9870945-3-7 - ebook

       www.authorjohnhickman.com

      Digital edition distributed by

      Ebook Alchemy

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      ISBN: 9780987094537 (ePub}

      Conversion by Winking Billy

      DEDICATION

      Pilots and aircrew proved to be a rare breed of heroes. Bill’s own squadron was wiped out numerically—twice! The average age of fatalities was twenty-two. He knew he’d only the slimmest chance of survival.

      When he neared retirement he told me, ‘live long and prosper. I’m proud to have come from Notting Hill. It ruined my life, but I’m proud. Prediction is difficult, especially about the future, but had I known then, what I know now, I would never have taken part in World War Two.’

      John Hickman 2011

      As author it has been my choice to write under my own name. Other names have been changed out of consideration for relatives I have been unable to contact. The writer acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of narrative non-fiction, which have been used without permission.

      The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorised, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

      The author states opinions expressed are not his own. Characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are true as communicated to him.

      To the best of the author’s intentions this work is a faithful rendering of the facts as told to him.

      As stated, Reluctant Hero is a work of narrative/creative non-fiction.

      This is a true story as told to me by my family; Mum, Dad, Gran, Gramps, Uncle Charlie, Aunties, Cousins who all knew my dad. Some of Dad’s ex RAF crew visited during the 1950s. His bomb-aimer, a sandy haired man gave me an expensive drum set from Harrods department store. When he presented it to me, he laughed and slapped dad’s arm. ‘Your boy hitting that drum might remind you of knocking noises in engines, Bill.’

      I have had remarkable clarity with most of the story. Where memory has failed or a gap has been discovered of which I was unaware, the tone has been recreated with the general content for dramatic flow.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      People who contributed to this story have had to wait a long time to see it appear.

      Sadly, for some it has been too long. Many have passed away before publication.

      I hope I have done their memories justice.

      There are people alive I would like to thank for what has been an historical journey of some magnitude for me to write RELUCTANT HERO.

      Carole, my wife, is appreciated as always for her patience in tolerating what has become my obsession. She has been a model of calm and reassurance with her recall of our family folklore, as she knew dad for more than thirty years.

      Pamela, my sister, the scholar of our family, deserves sincere thanks for her meticulous maintenance over the years of family photographs and records. Our reminiscences were a delightful reflection.

      Tricia Eban, my editor, who gave her time unselfishly, kept me focused, and never gave up on me. She prevented my story from becoming a boring diary of events. Her many valuable suggestions and changes allowed Bill’s voice to come through me.

      Hon. Yvette D’Ath, (Federal Member—Petrie), for valuable guidance through myriads of government departments. Hon Greg Combet and his office (Federal Member—Minister of Defence Personnel) for assistance with government liaison overseas. Air Historical Branch (UK), RAF (UK), Ministry of Defence (UK), National Archives (UK), Veterans (UK), RAF Disclosures (UK), Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (UK), Ministry of Defence Medal Office (UK), and to those dedicated staff at RAF Cranwell (UK) who prefer not to be named individually but helped me in my labour of love to delve back over sixty years.

      Acknowledgement of photographs:

      The Photographers who are named; Williams Pioneer Studios Ltd., 529 Oxford St., Marble Arch.

      William Frederick Honey (deceased 26/02/1972).

      Sara Jayne Fornaro

      The other photographs are attributed to unknown photographers.

      Other sources:

      The New York Times

      Daily Mirror

      Daily Telegraph

      The Times

      Daily Express

      Wikipedia

      John Hickman 2011

      PROLOGUE

      This is a story that needs to be told about my dad, Bill.

      As a child, I sat mesmerised by what Mum told me about his time as a Lancaster Bomber pilot in the Second World War.

      When I grew older, I became interested in the why and the how? Dad was reluctant to talk at first. Perhaps hesitant to give away too many pieces of himself, divulge his inner thoughts, and to relive his involvement in those extraordinary circumstances.

      When I asked questions, occasionally he brushed me off, but not too often.

      And now back to where my story began, the slums of Notting Hill, London in the 1920s. An area as bleak as the Gorbals in Glasgow. Dad blamed his parents Lily and Fred for his rough childhood. He had issues all right, lots of them, and we’re about to go there.

      He hated his life, his surname, but most of all his lack of opportunity for a good start in life. Dad became frustrated. He wanted to escape the class-conscious restrictions in which he lived, but didn’t know how. He felt inferior, inadequate and these feelings never left him.

      Soon a dark side mirrored his rebellious nature. Neither Bill nor his family knew how these traits would influence him in the years ahead although few were not aware the Second World War was on its way.

      Neville Chamberlain’s efforts and pieces of paper had done little to convince anyone there might be a treaty. When what little goodwill there was ran out, menacing clouds intensified, ready to unleash unspeakable horrors.

      War machines started to rumble throughout Europe but no one,