Page 32 • The HERALD • 25th January 2024 v READ THE HERALD ONLINE: www.herald-publishing.co.uk v PC PAINTING & DECORATING SERVICES Interior/Exterior Painting Decorating & Small Home Improvements Paul 07783 405977 Free Estimates ~ Fully Insured 30 years experience pcdecor8@gmail.com ALL ASPECTS OF ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN • Full Rewires • New Circuits • Consumer Unit Replacements • Electric Vehicle Charging Points • Landlord Certification • Smart Homes • Central Heating Controls 023 8089 0932 or 07534 343631 www.alnelectrical.co.uk info@alnelectrical.co.uk • Re-Skimming • Rendering • Coving • Dry Lining • Tacking • Artex Covered • Floor Screeding www.tbrownplastering.co.uk Call: 07919 183989 Friendly • Reliable • Professional • Free Estimates Chris Hopkins Painting, Decorating, Carpentry, Tiling Free Estimates Photographs & references available on request Telephone: 023 8081 5210 Mobile: 07986 806277 My Neighbour, the Air Vice-Marshal by Robin Somes, Fawley and Blackfield Memories Last time, we recalled the life of my neighbour Air Commodore John Mitchell; now, we’re popping literally next door to visit Air Vice-Marshal David McKinley. Like John Mitchell, David was a quiet, modest man who gave no indication of his past service; he and his wife were equally charming and helpful neighbours. David Cecil McKinley was born in 1913, in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and studied engineering at Trinity College, Dublin, before pursuing his ambition to y. Shortly before the Second World War, he joined 228 Squadron RAF, a ying boat squadron based at Pembroke Dock. ere, he gained considerable ying from Australia was completed in under 72 hours - half the previous record - and the mission gained him the Air Force Cross. In May 1945, just a er VE Day, he took “Aries” on a mission, via Reykjavik, to the North Pole, on which he personally ew for 28 out of 31 hours. A few days later, he completed two further long-distance Arctic ights to determine the position of the North Magnetic Pole. His non-stop return ight of 4,000 miles, from Yukon Territory, Canada to RAF Shawbury, UK, arrived 1 minute over its ETA. e expedition ew a total of 25,300 miles, without an automatic pilot – the system had broken down shortly a er take-o . Information from the mission contributed greatly to the development of transpolar air transport routes, and incidentally earned him a Bar to his AFC. Post-war, he held senior positions in the Air Ministry, RAF Transport Command, as Commanding O cer on Christmas Island during the atomic tests, and as Deputy C-in-C (Air) Allied Forces Mediterranean. He was further awarded the CBE in 1957, and CB in 1966. In 1940, David married Brenda Ridgway, the daughter of Michael Ridgway; yet another ex-RAF man, and neighbour, whom we’ll visit next time. Having lived in Badminston Drove in Fawley from his retirement in 1968, he and Brenda moved to Alderney in the mid-1980’s. He died in May 2002; a Google search will uncover many more accounts of his exploits. boat experience, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1940. In June 1941, the then-Captain McKinley ew President Roosevelt’s envoy, Harry Hopkins, to Moscow via Archangelsk, for a critical meeting with Stalin. Flying a Catalina with a top speed of 135mph, the mission took 20 hours, ying far out across the Norwegian Sea and round the North Cape to avoid the enemy. A er several more years in ying boats and at navigation school, in October and November 1944 he captained a specially-adapted Avro Lancaster, “Aries” on the RAF’s rst full-length circumnavigation of the globe, on a ight to New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and the southwest Paci c. e return ight David McKinley at the controls of “Aries”, en route to the North Pole. (Photo: Graham Pitchfork) Winter Woodland Lights and Snow at the Hawk Conservancy Trust Snow urries at the Winter Woodland Lights event, at the Hawk Conservancy Trust promises an experience every bit as magical as the real thing with the added beauty of colourful illuminations, stirring music and the grand nale of a stunning owl ying display. In contrast to festive season light trails, this post-Christmas event is intended to raise spirits in the depths of winter while helping to raise funds for another year of vital research and conservation work for birds of prey in the UK and overseas. Set in the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s 22 acres of Hampshire countryside, Winter Woodland Lights literally showcases the wonders of Mother Nature, shining a light on natural habitats through stunning visual spectacles with enchanting music and narration. A brand new theme of ‘Light in the darkness’ will help visitors appreciate that, even on the darkest days of the year we can spot natural light sources playing their part in the life of planet earth – from the subtle glow of re ies and the guiding light of stars to the awesome power of lightning or the stunning spectacle of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. At the end of the trail, visitors will take their seat to enjoy the most thrilling display of all with owls swooping low overhead, weaving through the beautifully lit woodland and demonstrating the skills that help them survive dark days and even darker nights of winter. e Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Winter Woodland Lights runs until 28th January and tickets are available to book online at: www.hawk-conservancy.org or by telephone on 01264 773850. e Hawk Conservancy Trust is dedicated to the research and conservation of birds of prey both in the UK and overseas and utilises income from its visitor centre near Andover, to fund its work. Visitors can experience rare birds of prey up close, watch world-class ying displays in three completely di erent arenas or simply meander through 22 acres of woodland and wild ower meadow. Close encounters at the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Winter Woodland Lights event
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