RAF man Arthur heads back to Italy.

Jul 16 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ARTHUR Parkinson joined the RAF in 1940 at the age of 22 in Lincolnshire.

The now 92-year-old explained: “I’d joined the Local Defence Volunteers, or Dad’s Army, and decided that I would enlist to the RAF.

“I’d seen the bombers leave to go to Germany and I didn’t want to be part of the army, while I didn’t like water so the RAF seemed the best option.”

It wasn’t long before Arthur experienced his fare share of action in the war.

He continued: “I watched in Croydon while the so called Battle of Britain went on and after that I was deployed to South Africa.

“I served as a navigator, which could be quite stressful at times, supporting the eighth army as they made their way through North Africa and later through Sicily and Italy.

“We would bomb targets to make it easier for the ground troops while we also spent a lot of time dropping supplies for partisans.

“I ended my war in Warwickshire of all places as I had come back to help train pilots and not long after that I was out.”

Arthur’s days in the RAF have never been far from his mind.

He continued: “In September, I’ll be returning to Sicily or Italy where I spent a lot of time in the war.

“I’m 92 now and don’t expect to do much more travelling so if I can see just a few of the places from the war it will be quite a pleasure.”