It belonged to my father during the war, he used it to put his gear in. Originally it was painted grey; he cleaned it up after the war and polished the brass.
He had what I consider to be a 'good war'. He was in charge of the RAF rescue launches during the Siege of Malta - the time when the three small planes, 'Faith' 'Hope' and 'Charity' fought against over whelming odds. The island of Malta was awarded the George Cross for it's resistance to invasion. My father was also rewarded.
My mother,my brother and my father outside Buckingham Palace.
When I say he had a 'good war', it's because he spent his time rescuing people. No killing, no maiming - he found a humane role to play. If I had been alive at the time, I would hope that I could have performed as he did or would have had the courage to be a conscientious objector.
He rescued people of all nationalities - mainly Germans as a matter of fact. Funny old world we live in.
I took his achievements for granted when I was young - I don't any more.
Tags F.A.I. My Grandad Alf's Life
