SECOND WORLD WAR
MELODY FOREMAN TALKS EXCLUSIVELY WITH THE FAMILY OF SQUADRON LEADER KENNETH ‘LUCKY’ LUSTY ABOUT HIS TIME AS A BRISTOL BLENHEIM GUNNER AND AS AN RAF OFFICER IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
AIRCREW
Having survived five dramatic crash-landings during the Second World War a young air gunner by the name of Kenneth Roy Lusty had justifiably earned the nickname ‘Lucky’. As a person he was bright, fun, optimistic and enjoyed the benefit of having a quick mind and a heart full of courage – so it was hardly surprising that aged just 19 when war broke out, he raced along to the RAF recruiting office in Manchester to sign up and do his bit.
In a recent interview, his son Richard Lusty said: „In those days all the comics pictured people flying in aircraft, and my father believed the captain of the aircraft would not be the pilot. It would have to be the gunner, as he had the best view of all and therefore had more control during aerial combat. When he joined up that’s what he wanted to be. No question.
„That day in 1939, he cycled quite a few miles to get to the recruiting centre and there was a big queue. So he waited for hours. Eventually, they said ‘no more’ and closed the door. Well, the boys were so incensed there was a mini riot.
The sergeant came out and said ‘I’ll tell you what. Come back tomorrow’. He handed out coloured raffle tickets, but father was too far back. They wanted 20 volunteers apparently and he seemed to be number 21.
