Jennifer Tucker one of my fellow bloggers pointed out that today is Anzac Day.   Her moving Blog has reminded me how grateful I am for two Australians’ who helped to keep my dad safe as he served as a Tail Gunner in a 186 Squadron Lancaster Bomber Crew.  Sadly Johnny Gibb his Wireless Operator, from Melbourne, died in a flying accident shortly after the war.  His Skipper Eric Barton, from Sydney, came to England and met up with dad in the 90’s.  There was a Leader Article about Eric in an Australian newspaper in May 2015.   I tried to contact him through the newspaper a few years ago and failed.  How lovely it would be if this Blog gave me contact with him or his family.

My dad is third from the left in the photo below and Eric is to his right.

Jennifer has also posted a moving musical tribute to Anzacs which I have posted to my good music page as I forgot to update it on Friday after rather an eventful day.

I think my dad was looking down on me as I drafted this post: trying to keep us safe as he always did.  The streaming cold that has been troubling me for the last 24 hours has eased and Maureen has decided that it is time to come to bed, rather than remain on the sofa.  Hopefully we can all sleep safely in our beds as we could all those years ago thanks to all those who served alongside the Anzacs.

I have just woken up to finish this post after more refreshing sleep.  It’s much easier to rest when Maureen is tucked up safely in bed.  I’ve just remembered that my dad’s log book from the RAF remains in my desk drawer along with press cuttings and comments on the raids he went on.  I really must call in at the RAF Club and take advice on whether they would like these artefacts in their museum or they would be better placed closer to his base in Stradishall.