I was a bit productive during the lockdown time and started writing my father’s book. Jack Bewes had written a memoir “Lucky to Be Here” about his experiences as a bomb aimer on Lancasters in WW2. I was lucky enough to have his combat and personal diaries as well as training diaries, newspaper clippings, letters between airmen and social letters.
With such a treasure trove of primary material I set about writing the memoir. My aim was to show war from a personal perspective, definitely not a textbook version. I wanted to show the black humour, the mateship, the acceptance of a life that you were only sure you had today. The reality of being in a cold metal plane for eight hours as you flew to a target that consciously or sub-consciously you knew you may not come home from. It might be your letter sitting on your bunk that would be posted to your family, the last missive they would receive from you.
I am writing to invite you to the launch of this book.
Date: Tuesday 9 May, 2023
Where: The Rag and Famish Hotel, 199 Miller St, North Sydney
Time: 6pm – 8pm.
What to expect: WW2. A drink. Fish and chips. Vera Lynn. Benny Goodman.
The Lyn and Jan show (Lyn with writer, singer, actor Jan Cornall) as we recount some of the hilarious stories from these young men – their humour that saw them through. The book, LUCKY TO BE HERE.
I know we will have as much fun as we had at the launch of Behind the Bar Room Door.
Lyn