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Fred's dream realised – nine months after his death
THE lifelong ambition of a former RAF navigator who spent the last 27 years of his life in Scarborough will be realised next Saturday – nine months after his death.
Fred Rooke, who lived in Ryndle Walk with his wife Kath, always wanted to tell of his experiences in the Second World War in a book which could be passed on to future generations.
Now his memoir, The Forgotten Air Force, has been published and will be on sale at St Martin’s Church in Craven Street on Saturday.
Sadly Fred, who was originally from Barnsley, passed away in March just a week before he could see his book in print.
The book records the horrors of the autumn and winter months in 1943 and 1944 when the squadrons of 205 Group launched air attacks from bases in Tunisia and Italy on transport links to encourage the German retreat from northern Italy and southern Europe.
Conditions in the hastily prepared bases were appalling with servicemen living in rotting tents in muddy ploughed fields in the depths of winter.
Fred would fly night missions in Wellington bombers which were constructed using an aluminium alloy framework and covered with Irish linen, soaked in layers of highly combustible dope. Although lightweight, the aircraft were ably to carry huge 4,000lb bombs.
Fred’s daughter, Diane Coates, helped to finish the document and prepared it for presentation to York Publishing Services which has printed the book.
Mrs Coates, who lives in Scalby, said: “He wanted to tell people about the importance of this part of the war, and how the RAF crews battled through the darkness in atrocious weather, with rudimentary navigational aids in their flimsy bombers.
“This was in contrast to the relatively well-equipped heavy bombers of Bomber Command in Britain operating over Europe who also endured appalling losses. However, their stories have been told many times in film, books and documentaries.
“He really got serious about the project once his grandson was born 25 years ago as he wanted to pass his experiences on.
“My Dad would have been absolutely thrilled to bits to see the book in print, and would have been so pleased to see his friends buying and reading it.”
Fred was well known in Scarborough and had many interests.
He was a member of the Air Crew Association, North Cliff Golf Club and North Cliff Residents’ Association.
He also enjoyed teaching, demonstrated painting with an art group at Scalby Village Hall and occasionally displayed his own paintings of local scenes.
The book will be on sale at 10am at the church coffee morning.
Duncan Beal from York Publishing Services will be on hand to support sales of the book and meet Fred’s friends.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
