Telecommunications Flying Unit (TFU)

Croombe Park

I was delighted to be able to attend Saturday 14 September's Defford Airfield Heritage Weekend even though the actual airfield is outside Croome Park limits.

I met several of the staunch supporters of the Defford Airfield Heritage Group deffordairfieldheritagegroup.wordpress.com who mounted a very interesting display and also members of the Malvern Radar and Technology History Society wiki.mraths.org.uk
 who thanks to Hugh Williams and co. had mounted an extremely fact-packed display of the history of airborne radar in WW2 that was so relevant to Arthur's work at TRE. (Telecommunications Radar Establishment was based at Malvern 1942 onwards.)

I was very disappointed not to meet anyone who knew Arthur personally from TFU or TRE, although this was perhaps not surprising as most Boffins from that era would 90+ years old. I did meet two sisters who were starting on their journey to research what their father did during the war. He had been a draughtsman at Malvern TRE in a drawing office so could have known my father. Like my father he had not talked to his daughters about what he did during the war - much of which was classified then of course. Several people at the Croombe event gave me the impression that the Boffins kept to themselves and only appeared when they wanted something put in a plane and tested. Of course groups did keep to themselves except when they reached out for others' expertise and people did not talk about what they were doing in general. I also met a very interesting guy called Mr Griffiths, who was the son of one the Commanding Officers at TFU during WW2, and  claimed his father was responsible for raising moral by encouraging sports etc.

There was a map and a model in the old RAF sick quarters showing how the TFU had been laid out around the Airfield. Now not much is visible and most of the old building and the Mess are gone.

It was a pleasure to see the flypast of the Red Arrows who opened the event and then, at three o'clock, the magnificent roar and black silhouette of the only flightworthy Lancaster Bomber with the Malvern Hills in the background. The highlight of the day.

I completed my day by visiting the memorial in Defford village  to men who lost their lives flying from Defford WW2.



I had two new orders for a copy of my book this week. That's it for today. Thanks for reading my blog.

 

Subscriptions

Hello followers. I am building a subscription list (advance orders) for my book. Friends and family are approaching me directly but you can order the book via the website.

I will be printing 300 hard-backed, signed and numbered copies of which 10 will be reserved for copyright and other essential purposes but the other 290 will be offered at a special price before the print run to encourage those people who are eagerly awaiting their copy to book early and secure a copy.

The first 10 copies are sold.

The dust jacket design is looking good and the first chapter has been edited, so finally I am feel there is a book coming out at the end of the process. Hurray.

Watch this blog for more news.

Countdown

It has been a busy period for me as I have decided to self-publish. I can't wait any longer for others to decide. At least when you self-publish: you are in control.

I have instructed my copy editor Ting to start editing the manuscript and the printer Geoff to start on the dust jacket design.

I have put all 34 photographs and 4 diagrams into a separate file, for the printer to check the quality.

I regret spending so much time designing the layout of the book as it will all be changed anyway in the typesetting. The editing will be done chapter by chapter so I could have kept these separate as well and the files would be easier to email. 

'We Transfer'  is an excellent service (free) for sending large files - thanks Ian.

My tasks will be to complete the appendices i.e. the Index and the references and the glossary and acronyms  - the page numbers will be inserted at a later date when known after the final proof is ready.

My printer does not like footnotes and I have loads of these but I hate going to the back and searching for the note when I read a book, so I shall be firm on this.

I am going to have 300 numbered, signed, hard-backed copies printed and these can be ordered in advance for a special price - see website for more details at http://followmydreams.co.uk

As was pointed out to me: most of Arthur's contemporaries are quite old now, if still alive, but I am hoping that Tony Benn, who has been unwell, might manage to read the relevant chapter 5 and make some comments. There is a lovely story about a trade mission to Russia when Arthur accompanied Tony Benn and others.

That's all for now!