Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard of this man, our Royal Navy's most decorated pilot and world record holder for flying the most different type of aircraft(487)and most aircraft carrier landings(2407)

He survived 11 plane crashes and one ship sinking.

He Interrogated some of the leading Nazis after the war, including Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Goering and Belsen's chief guards Josef Kramer and Irma Grese


Why do we, as a country, not celebrate our living pioneers and war veterans of this calibre?

Only when they pass are they mentioned and recognition given.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-35626854

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

What a great man !

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

I agree Tpin they should be celebrated and recognised while still alive ...they have done some great and selfless deeds and we owe it to them to recognise this

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

Absolutely.

I had the pleasure of bumping into two Chelsea Pensioners in a London pub.

I'd planned on a quick, cold pint on a sunny day, we ended up quite drunk after a few enjoyable hours.

Their accounts of their days in the army were hilarious, sad, proud but absolutely awe inspiring.

One of the best unplanned days I've ever had.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

And I bet they also enjoyed reliving their accounts of the days in the army.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

I agree too. I live near Wells where there was a huge fuss made of the last "Tommy", Harry Patch I thought it was a bit cruel putting him in the limelight in his last days. TV interviews, people writing books about him etc.all at the last minute.
It's good that brave men get recognition rather than being ignored but why wait until it's too late for them to know they were important.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

I too had never heard of him. I know one remaining WW2/Battle of Britain pilot. It`s not that he didn`t wish to talk about those days but he reckoned it was along time ago. When we met he was far more interested in cooking and the merits of different varieties of tomato.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

It must be quite worrying if people think you're a hero and you just think you were doing your job. I think sometimes the media hype people up because they're the only ones left.
Also they might just want to forget about the war.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

Quite a man. I hadn't heard of him either.

Re: Embarrassed that I'd never heard of this man.

This gentleman was a true hero..did his job to the best of his abilities and more.

His nick name of winkle was because of his short stature but what a big man he truly was .