Читать книгу Reluctant Hero - John Hickman - Страница 6

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