This is the second volume in the 'Roger' series chronicling the life of its author. The first volume covers his life before during and after Hitler's war until the day that he left home having volunteered to become an Air Signaller in the Royal Air Force in order to pursue his interest in Radio and Electronics. This part of his biography is self-contained and it is not necessary to have read the earlier volume to appreciate and enjoy this book that covers the next eight years. In 1950 planned major changes in the R.A.F resulted in a significant number of extra air signallers being required to fill their many new roles. To meet this, their training was drastically compressed. Roger was on the first of these highly intensive courses. After electing to spend his service in Coastal Command first converting to Lancasters then the new Shackleton Maritime long range bombers. Having completed two tours of Active Service on 220 Squadron and was then posted to H.Q. Bomber Command, 1 Group, the V Bomber Squadrons for the remainder of his service. During his active service he logged over 1000 hours flying, longest flight 23 hours 45minutes, caught pneumonia from getting soaked rescuing survivors of the Cromer floods, had several frightening flying experiences including surviving when a Shackleton stalled, took part in Joint Anti-Submarine Courses with the Senior Service, spent probably hundreds of hours on Search and Rescue flights, took part in ferrying paratroopers to the Suez Incident and was stranded in Malta, being injured in a crash landing and needed to spend time at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre for Officers and Aircrew and all the while he pursued his interest in Radio and what became known as Electronic Engineering to the point that when he left the Service he obtained employment as an Electronics Circuit Designer. Later books cover his life after he moved into Electronics Research in the Automotive Industry, contributing significantly to the early developments of electronics in cars and traveling round the World. Foreseeing the demise of British Car Industry he retired to become a Mountain Walking Leader and later a Parisian guide. As his daughter put it, 'Dad, you've had a very full life'. Here you can read some more of his story but with much more to come in the near future.
About the Author: Roger was raised by his Victorian Grandparents and for over a year educated by them after his mother rescued him from being evacuated to a Welsh only speaking family. When the bombs started falling close to their home, his mother took him to live in the Pennines near Rochdale and he became a latch child. Returning home he interest in wireless sets and electricity. Having passed the Scholarship Examination, at Xaverian College he passed Matriculated. At seventeen and a half he volunteered to become an Air Signaller: ten months later he qualified for his wing, joined Coastal Command, had many adventure, some frightening and one leaving him hospitalised then recovering at Headley Court. Meanwhile, he intensively studied Electronic/Radio Engineering After completing eight years aircrew service, he joined the Research Laboratory of Lucas Industries. Through success in research, electronic circuit designs including the first portable cardiac pacemaker, inventions and patents he rose to a senior position and became responsible for a wide range of automotive products. In 1968, invited by the American I.E.E.E he read a paper in the Carnage Hall, New York on his work on Hybrid Integrated Circuits car systems that in 1970 earned Lucas the Queen's Award for Technical Innovation. He presented papers at many conferences including one in conjunction with IBM at Computer Graphics 1970. At Imperial College he became a Visiting Lecturer on Teamwork in Design. At the Electrical Research Association he represented the Motor Industry on various Committees. In 1983 he became Pilot Line Production Manager for Electronic Products. By 1986 at the age of 53, the industrial turmoil in the British Car Industry forecast its collapse. Before that happened, Roger took very early retirement. In preparation for this he had become a Mountain Walking Leader in Britain and Europe, specialising in Italy and France: Later he became a guide for Parisian Site Seeing Holidays and designed extensive holidays in the Loire Valley. When he reached 75 he hung up his walking boots. His interest in radio and electronics continues through his hobby, Amateur Radio in which he reached the top of the American Radio Relay League Honor Roll. Married with four children: he has survived major heart surgery and cancer. Now at the instigation of his children he is writing his autobiography. This, the second volume follows 'Roger, Seventeen Adventure Filled Years before, during and after Hitler's War'.