Three fearless Second World War veterans have taken to the skies in a Spitfire as a thank you for their service and sacrifice. Paul Terry, 101, Alfred Cooley, 100, and Ivan Staines, 99, combined age 300, enjoyed the white-knuckle ride on a coastal patrol retracing the wartime flight of Spitfires scrambled from Biggin Hill to intercept Luftwaffe bombers.
Flight of a lifetime
The flight was made possible by a thrill-seeking fund set up by The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to honour the greatest generation with unforgettable experiences. For D-Day veteran Paul, one of three brothers who served in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, the flight was a much-needed pick-me-up.
Paul, from Pevensey Bay, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, was full-time carer to his beloved wife Dorothy, 87, who died on August 5. His flight was made in her memory.
He said: “I like to keep busy and I just keep going. If I keep moving I don’t feel old, but If I stop to sit down, that would be me finished. I’ve still got all my faculties - well, maybe one or two less after that flight, but what a buzz that was. That one was for my Dorothy, I know she would have loved that.”
Memories of war
In June, Paul, decorated with the Legion of Honour, returned with the Express to Sword Beach, Normandy, to exactly the same spot where he landed in 1944. It was the first time he had returned in 82 years. He was nearly killed when he was blown up by a German shell while in a trench in Nazi-occupied Holland, suffering catastrophic leg injuries. He was evacuated back to the UK and medically discharged, but later rejoined as a reservist and was on duty at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. After the war he worked as an ambulance driver for 35 years.
Alfred, 100, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, signed up with the 5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, the day before D-Day, and after just eight weeks of training, aged 18, landed in liberated France, moving through Belgium and advancing across the Netherlands. In June he joined the Express on a D-Day pilgrimage to Hermanville War Cemetery, near Caen, to see the final resting place of his regimental mates.
He said: “You simply cannot even begin to imagine what an unbelievable undertaking it was for these young men. It was extremely emotional returning. I was young, we were all young, but I was very lucky.” He added: "I loved every single second of that flight."
Family and legacy
Ivan, 99, from Maldon, Essex, enlisted with the Home Guard in 1942 when he was 16 and was called up at 18 to join the King’s Own Royal Regiment serving in Nazi-occupied Europe. He later moved to the South Staffordshire Regiment and served in Palestine as a Regimental Police Officer. As he soared into the blue, little Alfie Rose, 5, screamed with delight and saluted his hero great-grandfather. Also cheering them on was RAF legend Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, 105, who flew Mosquito Bombers during raids over Germany.
Ivan said of the Taxi Charity: “It has changed my life. If you had asked me two years ago what I would be doing now, I would never have believed I would have had the experiences it has offered me. I am 99, I have lost all my work friends, and it has allowed me to make new friends and create amazing memories. I am forever grateful.”
His granddaughter Rosie Digweed, 33, Alfie's mum, said: “The charity has brought my grandad back to life. A man who was once of few words is now a man of many with the cheekiest smile on his face. His confidence, enjoyment for life, and his heart have grown with new friends who understand exactly what he has been through. He might have grown older in years but he is mentally and physically younger. And rather than saying ‘I might not be here’ for future events he now says ‘I can't wait for the next trip’.”
Support and gratitude
The dream-come-true day was made possible by Fly A Spitfire and the efforts of Taxi Charity ambassador, entrepreneur, and benefactor Johnny Gallagher, 31, who first started fundraising so the organisation could continue to take heroes like Paul, Alfred, and Ivan on overseas pilgrimages. After the Express won a guarantee from the Government that the cost of all future trips would be met, cash from the fighting fund is now being used to make dreams come true.
Mr Gallagher said: “I hope this inspires more people from my generation to take an interest as it is very important for our nation to remember the freedom we enjoy was not delivered for free. I want my generation to understand and respect what these incredible men and women did for us. Their sacrifices secured our freedom - the least we can do is listen, learn and support them - however we can.”
The Taxi Charity, funded entirely by donations, has supported thousands of veterans since 1948 and in 2021 it received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Vice President Dick Goodwin said: “What sets this charity and this initiative apart is the bridge being built between generations.”
