A BREEZY morning on July 14 at Davidstow Moor RAF Memorial Museum welcomed a Second World War veteran, writes Helen Pusey.

David Keast, museum owner and curator, said: “It is such a pleasure to catch up with Harold and take him down memory lane with a drive around the airfield, which he remembers well — especially the weather.”

Veteran, Harold Woods, from York, wanted to visit again to recall his time at RAF Davidstow Moor, where he was a trainee cadet waiting to join the Queen Elizabeth, which was to set sail for Canada.

With a smile, Harold said: “I will never forget, we could never see each other on the parade square for all the moorland mist!”

His time was spent at the station, doing basic tasks and using the gymnasium to build stamina. Once in Canada, he began training as a navigator, which took around five months to qualify and be part of the aircrew.

On return to the United Kingdom, he continued to work with two engined aircraft, like the Dakota, but with war coming to an end, he was moved to transport and later posted to India, where he experienced the change of government there.

Reflecting on his time back at the airfield, he said he felt ‘an element of sadness, as the place had seen so much action and history’. He added: “It’s like it has melted away into insignificance.”

Buildings like the control tower now appear quite ghostly as they fall deeper into decay, but hold significant memories for those that served there.

Asking Mr Wood about his longevity at 93, he said: “I have never smoked and always gave my issued cigarettes away. I have barely drunk, and have always kept fit by playing sport.”

As a member of the aircrew association, he spoke of there being around 49 members remaining in the York branch. At the last major meeting, there were roughly 120 members who attended from around the country.

This ever-depleting family was the real ‘keeping mum’ generation, and was evident in this well-presented man, who played a vital role in the Second World War.

For more information about the Davidstow Moor RAF Memorial Museum, call 01840 213266.