“We don’t know exactly what you’re going through but we get it".
In 2022, Laura was appointed Chair of the RAF Widows’ Association, which was set up 30 years ago. Her husband, Nick died in September 2014. A former social worker, Laura is responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity and is the primary contact for anyone who joins the association. She was awarded an MBE in 2024 in recognition of her work for the Royal Air Force Widows’ Association.
I believe I'm a stronger person for having an eating disorder
Flt Lt Khym Pascoe
The Spitfire's cockpit was rather cramped
Iris PageI got the job of trying to find the German convoy
Fred Mitchell
I look back now and think, how on earth could I have done it?
They’d post men with guns on the door to stop us leaving.
That night was the first time I went home and cried.
If you’re wearing a uniform, it’s to defend everyones rights.
It prompted the need to offer mental or physical assistance to a lot of veterans who were trawling back very traumatic memories.
We’ve never been able to unite and discuss what we went through, ever.
We've nothing to be ashamed of anymore.
You can be charged for not saluting, or charged for not shooting.
Someone, somewhere felt that if you were of a gay persuasion you would be open to blackmail.
You were aware that you were policing it, that it was against the law.
You didn’t have a sweaty smell, you had a feul-ly smelly.
And I walked away from the chinook. And that was it. I hold that quite dear in my heart.
It’s almost like a friend, because it’s always there and it’s always beating deep into your soul and you can’t get away from it.
Water, fresh produce, everything we take for granted, The World Food Programme were taking to small villages who had nothing.
Ignorance is no longer allowed.
Footprints on the mess ceiling
One bomb stuck in the cradle
Deep down, one didn't expect to last long
Some of the lads who couldn't swim, they were just picked up and thrown anyway, it was a horrible morning.
He was bung full of his own importance
Some of the lads who couldn't swim, they were just picked up and thrown anyway, it was a horrible morning.
We were the sorriest set of recruits I could ever remember.
The Air Force being the Air Force, they make you practice with things not working.
I looked over my shoulder to see 40 smiling faces
The Jet that was underslung just.. took off.
To have John Craven bumping around as you fly people from field to field, yeah, that was a different day out.
You could see the concern of the faces around you, people in the know.
Jog on, you’ve got no chance.
I don't know if 617 saw it or saw the funny side, but I thought that was quite clever.
I think the fact it's here and so many people can come see it is, is great and it is quite weird.
We can all work with an eating disorder
Flt Lt Khym Pascoe
We got the call to make 19 special Lancasters
I need 30 of these by tomorrow
Martin CleggWe put our names in a hat, and I drew the Middle East
Fred Mitchell
Submarine sighted. Going in to attack. Goodbye
We had navy blue knickers that came down to your knees.
That’s all we’d wanted to hear.
We got it wrong last time, we won't get it wrong this time.
You couldn’t be proud of him, he couldn’t be proud of you.
They had no right to question a civilian in that way, but they got away with it.
Every career that the military offers, has a civilian alternative that is desperate for those skills.
I looked up, and there were fireworks.
Sir, there will be no trouble, because my son is gay.
You rarely refuelled with the rotors turning because you cannot stand up under that aircraft.
It is to remind us of our obligation to mankind.
They were just kids
It's put me off UHT milk for life.
There was a tug on the Deputy Chief of Airstaff's jacket, and this little kid said, "Sir, this is brilliant".
War is war
They really were a team
We were the sorriest set of recruits I could ever remember.
I didn't see Peg for two years, and while I was away, we got engaged.
He was bung full of his own importance.
I can't say we were over worked, it’s just as well we weren’t because we'd have been in trouble.
We were the sorriest set of recruits I could ever remember.
The thought of being done for speeding while on a MERT shout caused a little bit of interesting language in the car.
It's like camping without a tent, but with a 60ft helicopter instead.
The Army, they say it's one of the best sounds because they know that they're being picked up and taken home.
It's not hard to see why you get the myth and the legend and the general affection, which sounds weird for a lump of metal, but it's, it's probably not too far from the truth.
Sometimes the banter gets a little bit too pointed, a little bit too serious and unfunny.
Everything streams, your nose, your mouth, your eyes, it's just stings.
To this day, absolutely delighted, honored, pleased, privileged. All those cliched words that that I had the chance to do it.
I was a squadron boss for two years at a time when my guys were doing about the toughest job that an aircraft has been asked to do.
I think everyone who joins the military at some point finds himself wondering what it would be like to be tested under proper conditions
