Farewell, Geoffrey “The Boy” Wellum
Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Farewell, Geoffrey “The Boy” Wellum

  1. #1

    Farewell, Geoffrey “The Boy” Wellum

    Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum, youngest Battle of Britain pilot, died on Wednesday. Author of the memorable First Light, he also served in Operation Pedestal and on Malta. His autobiographical book tells of a fighter pilot’s life in the RAF in the hard years of 1940-41 when his squadron nicknamed him “The Boy”. He finished the war as a test pilot and by all accounts found peacetime harder to manage than the war, but became a national figure after publishing his book, which is a highly entertaining read.

    Wing Commander Tom Neil also died in June, so I’m not sure who of The Few are left now. Salute!
    Tom
    __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
    Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7



  2. #2
    With the notification of each of these...there is a rather profound sense of loss. Our World is "Less" without the presence of these Great men....

  3. #3
    Well, that's life but they have transmitted to us their story and they will never ever be forgetted. Unfortunately the world seems to have a very short memory and the same war and horror stories are witnessed everyday over and over again.... will it ever stop one day?
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    www3.telus.net/murrdaka/

  4. #4
    Member sixstrings5859's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Sulphur,South West Louisiana in the good'ol USA
    Age
    59
    Posts
    3,518
    Blog Entries
    1
    Yet another sad loss. Another HERO gone. RIP to a dying breed.A great author too. Loved his book.

  5. #5
    Thanks for posting this Tom, another sad loss!
    John
    (DR/ MAW/ ETO/ PTO Textures)

    Keep it coming!

  6. #6
    SOH-CM-2020
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Aotearoa, New Zealand
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,896
    I loved his book. He was very modest about his remarkable achievement - to survive the hardest years with the RAF - 1940-41. I remember his gripping account of his first encounter with the new FW 190, when flying (IIRC) a Spitfire Vb. Apparently he went around and around in tight circles until the "butcher bird" ran out of ammo!

  7. #7
    SOH-CM-2019
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    St Simons Island GA
    Age
    70
    Posts
    2,322
    Blog Entries
    1
    Didn't they make a film of his exploits by the same name, "First Light?"

  8. #8
    SOH-CM-2023 mongoose's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Navigator, where are we?
    Age
    79
    Posts
    3,536
    I have looked on Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu; no joy. BBC hasn't shown iy for a while but I suppose they might do soon now.


    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_light/

    Cato said "Carthaginem esse delendam"
    I say "Carthago iam diu deleta,sed enim Bellum Alium adhuc aedificandum est"

  9. #9
    SOH-CM-2024 Pat Pattle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Newton Abbot, Devon. Dear old Blighty
    Age
    60
    Posts
    2,904
    Blog Entries
    1
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x30MpS5mMQc

    I was so sorry to hear of his passing, especially on top of the loss of Tom Neil last week. I feel we are losing the last of the finest generation that this country has produced.

    I have the dvd of First Light, and have watched it countless times. it's up there with The Battle of Britain movie and A Piece of Cake. If anyone hasn't seen it, it's a must see.
    CFS3 Battle of Britain Website: https://cfs3bob.wixsite.com/cfs3-bob
    CFS3 ACC Member & ETO Expansion Group

  10. #10
    A sad loss, a really nice guy from his tv interviews that were very enligbtening and sharing personal insights.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Pat Pattle View Post
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x30MpS5mMQc

    I was so sorry to hear of his passing, especially on top of the loss of Tom Neil last week. I feel we are losing the last of the finest generation that this country has produced.

    I have the dvd of First Light, and have watched it countless times. it's up there with The Battle of Britain movie and A Piece of Cake. If anyone hasn't seen it, it's a must see.
    I Pat. Where can i get Peace of Cake ? could n´t find it at amazon.

  12. #12
    Sad to hear about it. The few are getting fewer...
    Respect.

  13. #13
    SOH-CM-2024 Pat Pattle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Newton Abbot, Devon. Dear old Blighty
    Age
    60
    Posts
    2,904
    Blog Entries
    1
    CFS3 Battle of Britain Website: https://cfs3bob.wixsite.com/cfs3-bob
    CFS3 ACC Member & ETO Expansion Group

Members who have read this thread: 0

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •