My father Bryan Wild, was a night-fighter pilot during the second world war. A book about his wartime experiences, ‘Flying Blind: the story of a second world war night-fighter pilot’ was published in October 2014 by Fonthill Media and is available directfrom Fonthill, or online from Amazon or the Book Depository. In 2014, I bought a 1935 Singer Le Mans (Special) sports car in British racing green. What clinched it for me was that the number plate began with CHU. My father’s favourite wartime song was the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the words of which he could still sing almost word-perfectly the week before he died aged 90, in 2012. The number plate ended with 944 – and it was 1944 when Dad bought his Singer.
In his memory, in 2015 I toured the UK mainland in my 1935 Singer Le Mans special, visiting the 60 aerodromes at which he landed during the war. The project raised money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, to whom our family is deeply grateful for the help they gave to my father during the last years of his life, when he contracted Parkinson’s disease. I hope I brought alive for local people the history of those men and women who were connected with each of the aerodromes during the war. I also wanted to tell something of the astounding story of how the RAF itself developed to a force that was crucial in winning the Second World War. I am still working on this, on my next book – still under wraps!
Elizabeth Halls, April 2014
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Where They Served 
Hello Elizabeth, I have come across your article in the Gazette about Thomas Hunter who flew under your Father – I think you are looking for his remaining relatives – I would have bene his niece. Please let me know hp to email you direct if you are still interested in pursuing your research. Regards, Alison
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Great stuff. You are visiting one of the locations where I work, and coincidentally, I used to live in Saffron Walden.
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Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply, Pete. I’ve been rather busy on the tour! Which location are you referring to? I’m off to the Saffron Walden area (taking in Bourn, Gransden Lodge, Twinwood Farm and Cranfield in Bedfordshire, then CASTLE CAMPS (one of Dad’s favourite postings; he loved the area), Boxted, and Bradwell Bay in Essex. Very excited about this one!
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Hello Elizabeth,
Wow , wow, wow, what am amazing transition. I am so excited for you, I will keep in touch and I hope we can have a cuppa once you have handed in your assignments. I believe this project will be awesome.., well done, I also believe that all those people that you are going to meet during your adventures and travels will be truly blessed, as I am , knowing you.
Take care,
Elva
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Thanks, Elva. You can follow me on twitter if you want to find out when I’m anywhere near you with the car: @wheretheyserved It would be great to meet up with you if so.
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Wonderful stuff Elizabeth! Can’t wait to follow your progress!
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