My interview with squadron leader geoffrey wellum dfc was one of the first i ever did with a veteran of the war. Pembrey airfield is a mile from a long sandy beach. But of the friends that take to the air alongside wellum many never return. And a further quartercentury to get them published. This tells the story of geoffrey boy wellum, who at just 18 and 9 months found himself posted to 92 sqn and given to the care of the legendary brian kingcome to fly spitfires, arriving just at the on set of the battle of britain in 1940.
Squadron leader geoffrey harris augustus wellum dfc 4 august 1921 18 july 2018 was a british fighter pilot and author, best known for his participation in the battle of britain. Two months before the outbreak of the second world war, eighteenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. First light geoffrey wellum hardback musicmagpie store. Aged seventeen, he signed up on a shortservice commission with the royal air force in august 1939. Wellums first light deserves to be read for many years to come. This is a great book about the authors experience as a spitfire pilot during wwii, from fresh faced 19 year old to seasoned pilot, flight commander, fighting in the battle of britain, and in lifting the siege of malta. May 07, 2004 in first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. There was just the right amount of danger when he was training. However, having read it i feel moved to add a few lines simply because at the end of it i felt drained and elated at the same time. The story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain is a 2002 memoir by geoffrey wellum, a royal air force fighter pilot in the second world war.
Born an only child in walthamstow, essex, wellum was educated at forest school, snaresbrook before serving in the raf. First light geoffrey wellum signed by 8 battle of britain pilots rare. Nonfiction books best selling nonfiction books waterstones. But the combination of immediacy geoffrey wellum had jotted down notes in an exercise book at the time and distance another 35 years would pass before he expanded his notes into a narrative gives this account extraordinary depth and resonance. First light tells the story of wellum s time as a pilot during the war. It is the story of an idealistic schoolboy who couldnt believe his luck when the raf agreed to take him on as a pupil pilot at the minimum age of seventeen and a half in 1939. First light signed hardback book by geoffrey wellum. What i would like to know is which books do you think i should be looking for to round out and expand my. Ive posted a piece about meeting him and the publication of his memoir, first light, on talking point, but here is the transcript of the conversation we had in his local pub back in february 2001.
There have been countless books about the battle of britain. The best books on perspectives of world war ii a five books. Excellent book about geoffrey wellum joining the royal air force, struggling to become a qualified pilot, and finally being successful by joining a spitfire squadron in time for the battle of britain. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then. He wrote a widely acclaimed book about his experiences during world war ii, entitled first light. First light wwii collection by geoffrey wellum 20090922. On the eve of the battle of britain, when geoffrey wellum first reported for duty at his raf squadron base, the adjutant was appalled at the 18yearold airmans lack of experience. On the first day of operations from hornchurch the squadron destroyed 23 messerschmitts. First light the centenary collection by wellum, geoffrey. Two months before the outbreak of wwii, 17yearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. Thrust into combat immediately, wellum finds himself caught up in terrifying dogfights with german me 109s.
I read geoffrey wellum s book when it first came out in 2003. I very much doubt that i can add anything new or insightful about this book by geoffrey wellum that is now one of the great classic books of ww2 history. Dec 12, 2010 first light is the poster boy of the genre and is the memoir of the modern day that has impacted the general public in a way i wish all aircrew books could. The reader follows geoffrey through early disastrous.
First light by geoffrey wellum, yes, definately a good choice. Penguin picked it up, and since its appearance such luminaries as max hastings have been full of praise. This hardback book, checked out from my wonderful library, is the edition i did read. May 01, 2003 two months before the outbreak of the second world war, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. First light went on to become the most successful book by a military writer in the first decade of the 21st century. On 11 august 1942, wellum led eight spitfires launched from the carrier hms furious to reinforce the fighter complement at luqa airfield on malta. First light, viking, 2002 it took geoffrey wellum dfc who last week celebrated his 96 th birthday a long time to get into print, many decades after his extraordinary, intense years often just inches from death. Similar books to first light the centenary collection. Desperate to get in the air, he makes it through basic training to become the youngest spitfire pilot in the prestigious 92 squadron. Raf and battle of britain books so what should i add. The times of london high praise for englands bestselling first light. Apr 29, 2003 first light was published, not so long ago. It is the story of an idealistic schoolboy who couldn t believe his luck when the raf agreed to take him on as a pupil pilot at the minimum age of seventeen. The story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain by geoffrey wellum 2002 it took geoffrey wellum 35 years to turn his notebooks into a narrative.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply arent given the respect and status they deserve. Mar 24, 2003 in first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. What was life like for wellum when he was training to be a fighter pilot. Enlisting in the air force weeks before the outbreak of wwii, geoffrey wellum found himself fighting the germans over the english channel, a spitfire pilot at just 18 years of age. Mar 14, 2003 in first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. The story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain. In this new book, he revisits the battle in compelling detail and reveals the impact it had on him and others in years to come. Buy first light ab book online at low prices in india.
Geoffrey wellums first operational unit, 92 squadron, fought throughout the battle of britain from biggin hill following a period during which they had flown their spitfires from several other airfields including northolt, duxford and hornchurch. First light by geoffrey wellum, 9780141804842, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying. The true story of a boy who became a man in the war torn skies above britain.
At just 18 years of age, the author geoffrey wellum was the youngest raf pilot to fight action during the battle of britain. First light penguin world war ii collection paperback. It is the story of an idealistic schoolboy who couldn. Mr wellum stayed on in the raf until 1960 and went on to write a bestseller about his experiences in the war his 2002 memoir first light.
It was a real privelige to read and i dare say that for a now budding reader like myself i shall never quite find anything to rival it. Geoffrey wellum, a veteran of the battle of britain, was the youngest fighter pilot at 18 in the royal air force raf to have fought in that battle. In first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. Exspitfire pilot geoffrey wellum wrote the book with no intention of ever seeing it published. Author of the bestselling first light, geoffrey wellum was an 18yearold spitfire pilot in the battle of britain during wwii. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It was the first time geoffrey had flown in formation, and it was a wonderful feeling. This may turn out to be the last great undiscovered memoir of the first light the centenary collection by wellum, geoffrey. Surprisingly, first light was first published more than 60 years after the events described within.
The evening standard london a work of exceptional quality. Jul 18, 2018 geoffrey wellum, a veteran of the battle of britain, was the youngest fighter pilot at 18 in the royal air force raf to have fought in that battle. First light is the poster boy of the genre and is the memoir of the modern day that has impacted the general public in a way i wish all aircrew books could. Im rather an optimist by nature but even i didnt expect to be quite so taken by this book. One flight is always on readiness from dawn to dusk, but you wouldnt know there is a war on. Two months before the outbreak of the second world war, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. Sep 22, 2009 first light was published, not so long ago. After the war he remained in the raf until 1961, and later ran a haulage business. Choose from a wide range of nonfiction books including. His description of flying back to base in bad weather is worth the cost of the book by itself. See more ideas about one light, sam heughan and sam heughan outlander. Sep 14, 2010 in a way this was a dream come true getting the chance to dramatise for bbc two geoffrey wellums stunning first light on the 70th anniversary of the battle of britain the book is his memoir. In a way this was a dream come true getting the chance to dramatise for bbc two geoffrey wellums stunning first light on the 70th anniversary of the battle of britain the book is. The book details his life from his final days at school up to 1943.
Original edition penguin world war ii collection reprint by wellum, geoffrey isbn. I have decided to unpack my small collection of books on the raf in ww2 and give them the pride of place they deserve on my bookshelf, and below is a list of what i have right now. I managed to get a ticket to see the premiere of the film first light last night. It was written by geoffrey welland who served, as a young man, as an raf fighter pilot in the battle fo britain and in combat through to 1943.
It is the story of an idealistic schoolboy who couldnt believe his luck when the raf agreed to take him on as a pupil pilot at the minimum age of. It is magnificent and the sand is hard and we take our cars on it. Explore books by geoffrey wellum with our selection at. The true story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain geoffrey wellum on free shipping on qualifying. Two months before the outbreak of wwii, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. First light tells the story of wellums time as a pilot during the war.
And it took me quite a while to open his modest volume. All of our paper waste is recycled within the uk and turned into corrugated cardboard. This film adapted from the book was produced as part of the 70th anniversary remembrance of the battle of britain and was first shown on september 14, 2010 in the uk. Geoffrey thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made. He tells of several of his actions against the luftwaffe fighters and bombers.
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