Isn’t it curious how warfare, the worst of things, can often bring out the best in people? Necessity forces a reliance on the self and on comrades, and a community spirit encourages people to pitch in even when, justifiably, they might be excused. We’ve seen this in these pages time and time again, but an extreme example would be RAF legend Douglas Bader, the ‘legless’ ace who needs little introduction.
There is no doubt that Bader was and perhaps still is an inspiration to many. He also inspired another double amputee and Sean Feast traces the career of Colin ‘Hoppy’ Hodgkinson, the self-described “poor man’s Bader”. Hoppy was a prospective naval aviator who lost his legs in a terrible flying accident, only to join the RAF and pursue a service career that mirrored Bader’s in almost every way. It’s a fascinating tale worthy of your attention.
If you still need your RAF itch scratched, then check out Ross Robertson’s touching story. He follows a noteworthy Egyptologist and classicist that should definitely be better known, having given his all to serve in a bomber squadron only for it to all end in grief.
We’ll never know what might have been, but thanks to Ross we do now know what happened and why.
