WARTIME FIGHTER PILOT GEOFFREY WELLUM DFC 

I met Geoff. He was a wonderful gentleman. He told me a story. He flew in a Spitfire when he was 91, in a two seater. The front seat pilot was an eminent RAF fighter pilot. When they landed, they Wing Commander (BBMF) said "what do you think?". Geoff said "keep practicing son, you'll get the hang of it". He was a legend to me.

Cheers Chris, anyone interested in this man should read his book"First Light"

Lest we forget. Plus successive generations who really haven't got a clue what actually went on regarding the human suffering of war. Always thankful to this generation, some of whom stayed forever young.

My uncle was a Battle of Britain Pilot DFC he died later on in the war when he was shot down. Geoffrey Wellum was a hero as well as many of those fighter boys were. We must educate the young so they know who those heroes were and the mammoth Battle they won.. R.I.P. Dear Fighter Boys. 🙏

I used to be a barman at the 603 sqn reunions in the late 90's. It's a source of great pride that I served this man, and many like him, a pint and dram.

Well, Geoffrey got his wish, i have remembered these brave youngsters all my life. I am very aware that my freedom was costly and i owe a great debt to people like Geoffrey Wellum DFC.

Thank you Chris, that is very precious. It really underscores just how intensely human this conflict was. At 10:00 where Wellum describes walking into his room, untouched for 3 years, and just breaking down. That is unbearably poignant. Everything is exactly the same, yet nothing is, or will ever be again. Choked me up.

Read his book BRILLIANT

I first read Geoffrey Wellum's book "First Light" twenty years ago. A well written account of his brave service but for me the most interesting part was the problems he overcame during his early training. So much to learn in such a short time, mistakes were made, challenges overcome and all with the help and discipline of Flight Sergeant Lewis who was his instructor. Wellum was always afraid of being awarded a Bowler Hat, the RAF term for failure. He eventually proved his worth and went on to become a Hawker test pilot. A good few years ago a friend of mine made a film of the book for the BBC, he got to know Geoffrey Wellum quite well and described him as a very kind and modest old gentleman of whom it was hard to believe had been a determined killer of our enemies. However if it wasn't for millions of men like him....

Thank you for this enlightening episode. What men like him did for us, should never be forgotten. I think more thought goes into looking after and paying illegal immigrants with our tax money, rather than the men that fought for our freedom.

Excellent, Chris. Thanks for uploading !

His autobiography is well worth reading.

Well done and thank you for putting out a video on Geoffrey Wellum so quickly. What he experienced is common to a very great many fighter pilots during that time, Germans as well as British. It would be nice to think we'll never have to go through that again, but sadly the poorer the teaching of history becomes as time passes the more likely it is to be repeated.

Wel. Documented Chris. Thankyou. We will Remember Them.

And now we have an RAF led by such a spineless leader (not even a pilot!) that he has ordered 14 Squadron to drop their nickname "The Crusaders" because of a complaint, God help us!

Imagine being ~17 and having such a clear vision of what you want to do with your life. I have heard that the early Typhoons were equipped with 10 .303 guns, but the short view of one taxiing is the first time I have seen one.

In “First Light” Wellum’s account of a mission to try to intercept a Luftwaffe intruder in almost completely socked-in weather is the most gripping description of flying I’ve ever read.

I was given his book First Light by my Late Father, I couldn't put it down.

I have the greatest of respect for Geoffrey Wellum, after reading First Light. What a brave man he was, the sort of man who represented and defended our wonderful country back in the war days. He was a true hero, a giant amongst men. Thank you for this, Chris. A great tribute to a true hero ❤️🙇‍♂️

First light is the only book I have ever read twice, if you are remotely interested in this period of our great nation, if nothing else, read this book...

Thank you. Interesting video. Cheers from NZ🇳🇿.

Came from Walthamstow, near to where I hail from, Leyton. His book "First Light" rivals "The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman, for putting you in a pilots seat without leaving the ground.👍👍👍👍 In "First Light" the chapter where he is lost over the channel, with no radio and no visibility, is un put downable, till the end.

Good evening Chris . I read his book many years ago and promised myself l must visit this "hero" . Of course he wasn't a hero , he was just doing his job , but what a job! I know he lived in Cornwall but never persued it .....with regret . Thanks Chris .

Brilliant! Thanks for reminding me of when Britain had things to be proud of; Real MEN!

All we ask is to be remembered...that's all.

God Bless each and everyone of them but please remember that the pilots were only the top of a very long chain of people who worked tirelessly to ensure they could do their jobs... Remember the radar operators picking up the incoming raids, the observer corps who spotted them once they crossed the coast line, the WAAF plotters and RAF staff in the control rooms who plotted all these movements, the Post Office Telephone Engineer who was repairing damged and broken telephone lines between stations and control rooms, the RAF Ground Crews working around the clock to refuel, rearm and repair the aircraft for their pilots and who stood watch for them coming home and praying they'd be ok and in one piece and of course the ladies of the NAAFI in their tea vans keeping people supplied with tea and biscuits to keep going .... Im sure I've missed out loads but I'm sure you get the picture I've tried to paint .... They all worked to bring us victory

Many a happy hour spent in the White Hart - sad that it’s now a gastro pub, with very little recognition of the pub’s significance… Geoffrey was indeed a fine gentleman.

“Gun button to fire, and we went straight into em” I have no idea how these wonderful people did this, but they did. Never forget

Great video. Thank you so much. All the best mate.

Like others have said he’s book is fantastic we will always remember the heroes of the two world wars

First Light is an amazing book I have read it 5 or six times and it won't be the last... Super video well done.

Loving your content.one of the first books my Dad gave as a young teenager was reach for the stars.amazing men.

Thank you so much for this beautifully made and touching tribute to a true hero and a gentleman. I read his book recently and this puts voice to a great read. Very touching to watch this. Brave men.

I have read his book but interesting to hear his thoughts in his own words. Thanks for putting it all together. I know the work that goes into the videos but the research is even more so. Well done Chris

G'day, Great stuff, thanks for making and posting it. Keep on keeping on. Stay safe ;-p Ciao !

A very sobering insight into the demanding life of a then fighter pilot. Great that he should survive.

What a fantastic generation. Not breaking down if someone used the wrong pronoun to address them.

Thank you for this video, I read his book some time ago and this helps put it into perspective.

Point well made Chris. Great video, many thanks.

There is a very good TV documentary about him.

An excellent video 👍

Lost generation of can do young people, I can't imagine the today's generation coping with this pressure