RAF Brize Norton News

RAF Veteran Receives Surprise Visit as He Celebrates His 101st Birthday

Ernest 'Ernie' Timmins

Happy 101st birthday to RAF veteran, Ernest ‘Ernie’ Timmins, who celebrated with family and friends, and was visited by
personnel from RAF Brize Norton.

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Seeing a post requesting birthday cards, Flight Lieutenant Evans and Chief Technician Guest decided to contact the family and arrange to deliver a card personally on behalf of the Station Commander, Group Captain Claire O'Grady, and Commander Air Wing, Group Captain Gareth Burdett.

Ernie joined the RAF in 1941 as 'Special Duties', specifically in the Operations Room and went on to serve across the world including Burma. He remembers his military days clearly and enjoyed chatting to Flight Lieutenant Evans and Chief Technician Guest about his time served, and about how the RAF operates today.

Flight Lieutenant Evans and Chief Technician Guest with Ernie

The target of 101 birthday cards was reached and Ernie repeated many times that he was moved by the response to his birthday and was delighted with the visit from current serving RAF personnel.

Ernie’s granddaughter, Kate, said:

“The Royal Air Force played a major part in my Grandads life and just to see his face when Flight Lieutenant Evans and Chief Technician Guest walked in was so special.”

Kate
Ernie's Granddaughter

Flight Lieutenant Evans and Chief Technician Guest with Ernie

Flight Lieutenant Evans said:

“It’s always an honour to meet veterans of the Royal Air Force, but meeting Ernie was something else. Hearing his stories from the Second World War, the hardship, danger and adventure, as well as the tale of dodging Military Police to smuggle his girlfriend, later his wife, onto a beach in Cornwall, was a real privilege. Once you have served a day in the Armed Forces, you become part of a wider family, it’s a special bond that we were very lucky to be able maintain on Ernie’s 101st birthday.”

Flight Lieutenant Evans
Station Flight Safety Officer

 

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