Diary

of a schoolboy, resitting his exams. My uncle Leslie joined the RAF later in 1940, aged 18. A few days after his 20th birthday he was shot down returning from the first thoiusand bomber raid on Cologne. 

Flying Officer L T Manser, VC, RAFVR. 

Seems like a good day to remember him: ".. In pressing home his attack in the face of strong opposition, in striving, against heavy odds, to bring back his aircraft and crew and, finally, when in extreme peril, thinking only of the safety of his comrades, Flying Officer Manser displayed determination and valour of the highest order." 


His crew survived: one was captured, the rest escaped with the help of the Belgian, Dutch and French resistance networks.