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Note: Born in `Paradise Gardens`, the workhouse in Pontefract, where his parents were Master and matron FWP was the youngest of the family.
With the coming of the Second World war F.W.P. could not wait to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers.
He enlisted on 9/8/40 and was given the service No of 1063083 and rank of AC2 (Aircraftman 2nd class). Even a cursory glance at his date of birth shows that at the time of enlistment he was only 16 years and 3 months old. Records supplied by the RAF Personnel Management Agency at Innsworth, Gloucester , however, show that he stated his d.o.b. as 6/5/22 putting him at 18 years of age which was the minimum age for enlisting. At the time of enlistment the details entered on form 543 show that he was 5` 9" tall, had a chest measurement of 32" and was described as having light brown hair, blue-grey eyes and a fresh complexion. Distinguishing marks included a vaccination scar, a mole 3" from his umbilical and scars on both knees. His civilian trade was that of Moulders Labourer.
According to further records, on 9/1/40 he was moved to 3RC Padgate (?) and then on 15/8/40 to St. Athan which is near Barry Island in South Wales. In a report made on 32/12/40, and in all subsequent reports, his character was described as V.G (very good).On 3/1/41 he joined 24 Squadron and this was subsequently followed by spells with 91 Sqdn and 247 Sqdn which, incidentally was the `China-British Squadron - so called because it was initially set up with money donated by the British Colony in China before it was overrun by the Japanese.
In the promotions, re-classifications and reversions section it shows that with effect from 1/7/42 he became AC! ( Aircraftman 1st class) and in 1/6/43, whilst in West Africa, a LAC (Leading Aircraftman). Other records show that he passed various exams and worked on a variety of aeroplanes including Tomahawk, Hurricane and Halifax
He embarked for West Africa on 25/10/42 and disembarked in Lagos (Nigeria) on 10/1/43 to serve with 349 Sqdn. However, West Africa appears to have attempted to justify it`s reputation of being the `White Man`s Grave` insofar as FWP spent several spells in hospital.
He was admitted to the 68th General Hospital on 1/2/43 and discharged sometime later before being re-admitted to the RAF hospital in Takoradi on 5/4/43 for another brief spell before being discharged on 7/4/43. At least one of these hospitalisations was due to malaria, a condition that surfaced later in life.
He was in Kano (Northern Nigeria) from 24/5/43 and was again admitted to hospital between 2/10/43 and 10/10/43. This is thought to be just prior to his scheduled return to England and due to pneumonia. Although not clear it seems he returned to England in early 1944 and was eventually released from service on 30/7/46.
Spent much of his subsequent working life at Pollard Bearings where he became machine shop foreman. He enjoyed fishing and shootingin his apare time.
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