To celebrate Chester war veteran Wynne Barker’s 94th birthday, her family took her on a trip to the airfields of Lincoln, home of the iconic Lancaster Bomber and Bomber Command.
Wynne, a Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) recruit at 19 years of age, was a shorthand typist based at various RAF airfields during the Second World War and had a great adventure during her years in the air force.
Losses were severe for Bomber Command with 3,491 aircraft lost from Lincolnshire airfields alone. The average age of pilots killed was around 22.
These incredible losses are now being remembered by the long awaited construction of a steel spire memorial with a visitors centre still under construction.
Wynne, who lives in Upton-by-Chester, had a behind the scenes tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hangar at RAF Coningsby.
The Second World War planes including Hurricane, Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota are lovingly restored and maintained in full working order by current RAF ground crew to keep them flying at air shows around the UK and Europe.
Wynne met with other ground crew veterans, all in their 90s, the oldest celebrating his 100th birthday that day with a cake baked by the staff on the base.
With Typhoon T1 and F2 and Tornado GR4 screeching constantly overhead, bridging past and present, Wynne thoroughly enjoyed her day, up close and personal with the planes of yesteryear and, as she said, she was treated like royalty.
Next year Wynne and many other veterans’ audio memories of their RAF years will be made available at the visitors centre in Lincoln for visitors to listen to.
