Bryan Wardell joined the RAF as an LAC engine fitter and was posted to No 74 Squadron (Spitfires) at Biggin Hill just after the Battle of Britain. He went on to train as a Flight Engineer and completed an operational tour on No 50 Squadron (Lancasters) at RAF Swinderby. He then became an instructor on No 7 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Waddington. His final tour was as the Senior Test & Evaluation Air Engineer at Boscombe Down.
The Association became aware of Bryan’s story through his contribution to the project “One Night in December”. The project is being undertaken by Pete Chicken and Adrian Woolrich-Burt where they retrace the history of a 57 Squadron Lancaster on operations in December 1944. As part of their investigation Pete interviewed Bryan in the summer of 2017 where Bryan recounts in incredible detail his motivation for joining the RAF up to completion of his operational tour.
Upon hearing Bryan’s interview with Pete the Committee decided immediately that we needed to contact Bryan and offer him Honorary Membership of the Association. Last week Pete Chicken and Jim Stokes took Bryan out to lunch and presented him with his letter of invitation and silver brevet pin badge.
The links to the project and the interview with Bryan are listed below. Many thanks to Pete and Adrian for allowing us to use this material and the associated photos.
