Risk?

[Kimbles20]

Whats the biggest risk you have ever taken?

[Hugh Spencer]

I think my biggest risk I have taken in my life is flying over Germany in 1945 in a Lancaster bomber.

[Dollie]

Can't really compete with Hugh above, but the biggest risk I took was to sell up my little house, and move my two young kids and myself into the home of my new fella, who'd never had kids and who had always lived alone. That was some 13 years ago - the kids have grown up, he loved them like they were his own and we are still as happy as pigs in muck. I guess we were lucky, but we did work at it as well - wasn't all plain sailing. Awwww......

[Kimbles20]

Wow Hugh, that was a big risk. How did you feel when you were flying over? I think that everyone who fought the war for England was incredibly brave and courageous. I am only 21 but it makes me so angry to see how some people treat those who fought for this country. It must be horrible to see how this country has become after you worked so hard for it.

And Dollie, I wouldnt say that oyu cant compete with Hugh. It must have been terrifying selling up your home to move in with someone else. Not only did you not know how your partner was going to take to living with children but if anything happened between you he would have been in a better position so I would say that was pretty risky. I am so glad that it all worked out for you.

The reason I asked this question as it is a question on a questionnaire/application I must fill in and when you MUST answer a question like that it is so difficult and I cant think of anything. I thought answers from other people might job my memory about my own life.

[Theland]

Hugh Spencer - I salute you Sir. We owe so much to your generation.
My big risk is to come, pondering packing in my job, taking my pension early, moving out of the area, and needing another income to top up the pension - a lot in one go.

[Hugh Spencer]

Hi Dollie and Kimbles20,
I am all for arousing interest in what Bomber Command did in their 5 1/2 year campaign, flying their first operation on the first day of war until May '45. Every serviceman knew that they would be at risk but all aircrew volunteered for the most dangerous task of all. We coped with it because we knew what we could be letting ourselves in for and the 18 training I had finally prepared me for what was to come. Half of all aircrew were casualties, over 250 in one night, as many as the Battle of Britain pilot losses. We would like as many of the public as possible to sign a petition found in :- http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BomberCommand/ - where an attempt is being made to right one of the wrongs perpetrated by the government who supported BC mostly throughout the war, but tried to distance themselves because of their future political careers, in denouncing the successful efforts of BC in the last year of the war. Please sign.

[Panic Button]

This may amuse you Hugh.

The Battle Of Britain Flight Lancaster was photographed by mistake on its way home from an airshow, and appears on an aerial photo over Huntingdon.

If you want to see it click this link to Google Local

http://maps.google.co.uk/

In the search box type Haweswater Huntingdon.

Click on Search Maps.

Get rid of the ballon by clicking on the x to close it.

Convert it to aerial photo by clicking on "satellite" at the top right of the map.

You should be able to see the Lanc, and can zoom in using your scroll wheel or pushing the slider on the left up to the + sign.

[Panic Button]

I have signed your petition and will spread the word.
You have my total respect

[lady_p_gold]

Did you ever know 'Ginger Paul' Hugh ...... he was really Graham Paul and he flew with Cobber Cain ?????

[raysparx1]

Hugh Spencer, You have my Total respect, and I have signed the petition, I was going to put the biggest risk I have taken, I won't bother, no point, thank you Mr Spencer.Sir.

[Athley]

I have also signed your petition.

xx

[maxximus]

cheers hugh spencer! my uncle who passed just over a year ago at 81 was a lancasterman, he told me many stories and i admired him all my life, said he flew 35 missions and lost many good friends. he despised the movie ' the memphis belle '. the name on his his plane was ' hurry home honey' and had a shortskirted pin-up girl painted on it. all the best!

[Eve]

Petition signed with pleasure and the utmost respect and thanks x

[smudge]

Well done & thank you Hugh!

We watch all the WW1, WW2 & other war documentaries on Discovery & so admire all you brave men & women.

Can't possibly compete with your biggest risk, but will sign your petition.

Oh & well done Dolly - you were very brave!

[johnlambert]

hugh spencer
as an old soldier myself you have my utmost respect my friend. The petition has been signed

[MustafaTickl]

Come off it. He only flew over Germany in a Lanc in 1945. Very small beer. I flew solo over France in a Lysander in 1941, then over France, Holland, Belgium and a lot of other places in Anson's and Oxford's. Later in Albemarle's, then a Stirling. Finally navigating with USAF in night raids in Fortresses. In between times I also worked with tanks! All of us from those days are now contemplating the hereafter. Who wants a tin medal. My wish would be for the Government to arrange for me to meet an old Algerian friend as soon as possible in the next life.

[Lonnie]

Hi Hugh, Like johnlambert, i'm an old soldier, the respect and admiration I have for Bomber Command during the war years just can't be put into words.

I've signed the petition, and sent it to everyone in my address book also.

I've spoken to my nephew, he's a serving officer in the Royal Regiment of Wales, he's going to make sure its sent to every British regiment, and also to some from other countries, who have close links with our military.

[spurslady]

I have just signed the petition. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

[Hugh Spencer]

Mustapha,
Flying over enemy occupied territory in unarmed Ansons and Oxfords? Tell me more!

[MustafaTickl]

Not on Answerbank, Hugh. However, who wants a tin medal from the Blair, Prescott, Blunket, Reid, Brown, Lever, Mandelson madhouse sent through the post relating to things over 60 years ago? Quite a lot of us have had equally exciting lives full of personal achievement throughout the last 60 years and would sooner be remembered for that rather than derring do's when we were young for a comparitively short period 60 odd years ago. A few doors away from here lives an ex Lancaster Sergeant Pilot with 37 raids to his credit. His mind is going, he forgets where he is even at the bottom of the garden. His driving license was revoked by the authorities. He is the retired Chairman of a large public company. What good will a tin medal do him? A little further away is the surviving RAF Flt. Lt. navigator of the Ploesti and other significant raids. In a bath chair and has to be taken to hospital twice a week. What good will a tin medal do him?

[tara20]

My Dad, (Ex Fleet Air Arm) was asked if he wanted to
apply(!) for campaign medals due. He refused, saying,"If they're not worth giving, they�re not worth having."