Before I Forget

Book One

by Michael F. Wynne-Willson


Formats

Hardcover
$19.95
Softcover
$14.95
Hardcover
$19.95

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 7/16/2001

Format : Hardcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 420
ISBN : 9780759655119
Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 5x8
Page Count : 420
ISBN : 9780759610248

About the Book

I am 81 now and since finishing this, my first effort, ages ago I've been not a little embarrassed since then when asked, what is "BEFORE I FORGET!'' all about? My answer of "Me!" sounds awful but that's it, plus many more intriguing and interesting personalities and situations, thank goodness. My life certainly hasn't reached great prominence, but it's been by no means humdrum either so I feel it, perhaps, worth sharing with others.

Suffice to say it is about growing up in Jollye Olde from 1919 to 1936; a terrific year as an Exchange Student at a great prep school in Rhode Island; returning to the UK in '37 and, promptly, starting work as a trainee in a big thread-making company. This, being a disaster, made me join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on my 20th birthday, September 13, 1939, (a) to get out of what I was doing and (b) hopefully to become a pilot! An exciting, often scary, but always fascinating war followed for seven years, which included night-fighter squadrons and experimental work; crazy situations; marriage to a girl I met when at school in Newport, and the struggle for normalcy after I was demobilized.

We left the UK for the States in 1948 for sundry reasons. Then started a life with never a dull moment! Hairbrush then English car salesman; marmalade-making in our 1780 home in Hamilton, MA; radio and television in the US and in the UK; special events announcer; two children adopted; US citizen; PR Director for the New England Aquarium . . . to name but a few! The book ends with the passing of my late wife, to whom it is dedicated. Book Two of BEFORE I FORGET starts a couple of years later and is still in the works. It will be dedicated, of course, to Annie, my present wife of 33 years.


About the Author

Michael Wynne-Willson was born in London, England, on September 13, 1919. His arrival must have been a severe shock to his mother, as she was 45 at the time. Educated in England until 1936, he was granted an English Speaking Union Scholarship to St. George's School, Newport, Rhode Island, for one year. On arrival, it is rumored that on meeting his future Headmaster, he allowed that he was there to broaden his mind and not his education. Mr. Merrick, his Headmaster and great friend for life, allowed that he never once let him down!

Back in England in 1937 with war clouds forming. Jackie Chambers, a girl Michael met while at school in America, visits him in England. Marriage is discussed in Paris, but with war imminent and innumerable other and important reasons, not to mention lack of funds, Jackie catches the last boat back to the USA, the Manhattan, from Le Havre. Michael joins the RAF on his 20th birthday, hoping to become a pilot. As there are no planes in which to train everyone, he is sent to an aerodrome far north in Scotland to peel potatoes in the Officers' Mess.

From 1939 to 1946 there were few dull moments. Night-fighter squadrons and experimental work in single and twin-engine aircraft; earliest airborne radar; his only war wound, shot in the head, etc., by a kid who thought Michael was a fox in the grass! Gunnery Officer training on Spitfires and then to RAF Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Canada, to instruct training instructors returning to the UK in operational use of rocket-firing from Mosquito aircraft. No Mosquito aircraft capable of carrying rockets available. Frustration. Married Jackie Chambers in Middleburg, VA, on May 6, 1944 with large attendance of brother officers from Greenwood. 'D Day' landings missed; more frustration. Michael returns home by air. Jackie by sea and her ship developed engine trouble; two days adrift, submarines everywhere.

To the RAF's Night-Fighter Interception Unit and Central Fighter Establishment on return. Demobilized and into British European Airways as an Airport Manager trainee. Good progress but Jackie has medical problems so decision made to go to the USA to live. 1948. Can't take any money even if it was available, which it wasn't.

Kent of London brush salesman on arrival in New York; cold-water flat at $25.00 per month; move to Boston and sell British cars, briefly; Move to Hamilton, MA; buy house with 8 acres of land for $12,5000; make marmalade and assorted products, own radio shows; TV reporter n the US and UK; adopt two children; mobile broadcasting studio to major events on East coast; Jackie inherits funds; again never a dull moment! Jackie loses brief battle with cancer in 1967. Michael, Mark and Wendy; the dogs Minus and Duchess, the cat Perky and Piglet the pony, continued to live in Hamilton for a while.