An airman through artist's eyes

Kyt · Mar 11, 2008

A nice article:

The last of the few: An airman through artist's eyes - Yorkshire Post

Once they were heroes. Now the airmen who scuppered Hitler's invasion of Britain are too often left out in the cold. Matt Clark met one of the Few, and a York artist who has taken him under his wing.
As Churchill said after the Battle of Britain: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

These days, the few are even fewer and in Yorkshire there is only one of them left. William "Terry" Clark, who lives in Wheldrake, near York, is 89. Back in 1940, he was one of the young airmen who selflessly helped to defend our skies against Nazi tyranny. He is an unsung hero because for many, the conflict conjures thoughts of dashing young men, barely out of school, who pitted their wits in Spitfires against the Luftwaffe.

But that is only half the story and in any case, Hurricane pilots will argue that their aircraft was more effective. Neither was much use at night. That is when the likes of Mr Clark earned their pay. He was an air gunner on Blenheims before switching roles to become a radar navigator on Beaufighters where his job was to track enemy aircraft and guide the pilot towards the "contact". Once within range, he would give the order to open fire.

And he was pretty good at it. One night the pair shot down two enemy fighters. For his wartime bravery, Mr Clark was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal which to this day he still wears with pride alongside five others; all bear testimony to his courage. He insists that he is not a hero.

Like most war veterans, Mr Clark frowns on the use of the "H" word and says he was just doing his bit for King and Country. Neither can he be called an "Ace". Although he was responsible for the requisite number of confirmed kills, the nomenclature applies only to pilots.

After the war, Mr Clark's contribution went largely unheeded. He wasn't even invited to the annual Battle of Britain Service at York Minster. Then one day in 2001 a tragic event ironically earned him some overdue recognition. Mr Clark and his wife Margaret were driving home when a van crashed into their car, sending it careering down a ditch.

The driver slowed to take a look but then sped off into the night.

The couple were in a bad way and after all he had been through, the ignominy of dying at the hands of a hit-and-run driver must have been hard to bear for Mr Clark as he and his wife lay in their wrecked vehicle not knowing if help would arrive in time.

Mr Clark eventually made a full recovery but after the crash Mrs Clark suffered a stroke. She died soon after.

Steve Teasdale, an artist and teacher at Huntington School in York, learned about Mr Clark when a friend pointed out an article in the Yorkshire Post which reported the accident and mentioned the Battle of Britain link.

Some years ago, Mr Teasdale's love of the RAF and his fascination with the Battle of Britain led him to specialise in aviation painting. Now he regularly exhibits throughout the country and takes along veterans to sign his prints.

He said: "My friend called me and said, 'Did you know you have a Battle of Britain veteran on your doorstep?' I know quite a few of them but wasn't aware of Terry. So we found his number in the phone book and I called to ask if I could pay him a visit. I was delighted when he said yes. I took a bottle of wine and was particular to call him 'sir'. He was so passionate about the RAF and so keen to talk that I wanted to get to know him better." Mr Teasdale called again, but Mr Clark asked him not to come round.

By then his wife had become very ill and he was spending a lot of time at her bedside in hospital.

"When I heard the sad news that Margaret had died, I thought he might be feeling lonely and in need of a bit of company" says Mr Teasdale. "I was due to go to a premiere of a film about Polish Spitfire pilots and the organiser had invited some Battle of Britain veterans.

"I asked if I could also bring one with me and he said yes. At first Terry didn't want to go. He was reluctant to get involved, but in the end I managed to talk him into it.

"I was glad Terry decided to come and, after a while, so was he. That evening he met a former comrade from 219 Squadron. They hadn't seen each other since serving at Catterick airfield during the war."

For Mr Clark, the burgeoning friendship has given him a new lease of life. Now the pair are almost inseparable. Mr Teasdale takes him all over the country to exhibitions and every year the pair drive to Capel le Ferne near Dover for the Battle of Britain Service. At least once a week they meet up for a chat and any time he needs a lift, Mr Teasdale is on hand to oblige. Mr Clark said: "The first time Steve came to see me I didn't know what to think. In the past I'd received the odd letter asking me to sign a photo and I remember thinking who the devil would want my signature. It was quite nice though and made me feel a bit like a Hollywood star!

"But Steve was very sincere and full of the Battle of Britain. I respected him at once and said if there is anything I can do to help, I would be delighted.

"It makes all the difference in the world having Steve as a friend.

"I know it sounds daft but I'm convinced that Margaret looked down and arranged for him to visit me. She knew how much I loved the RAF and I'm sure she somehow guided him to my door.

"We have so much in common and it's wonderful to be included as part of his family. Steve's daughter Lily always gives me a big hug when I call round and I love playing on the floor with baby George." Apart from his parents and Lily, Mr Clark was the first person to hold George. He said: "That was such a marvellous moment. I feel like a surrogate grandfather."

Recently Mr Teasdale met Flight Lieutenant Rod Clark – now at RAF
Linton-on-Ouse – who, like his namesake, is also a navigator. His Squadron has
also "adopted" Mr Clark who has become a regular visitor to the York base.

Flt Lt Clark said: "It is a great honour having Terry come and visit us.

"We have hosted him a number of times and he has been a VIP guest at a pilot graduation ceremony.

"Soon he will attend his first ever dining-in night as a guest of Linton's Officers' Mess.

"He is a true gentleman and we are privileged to have him as our friend."

When they are not travelling the length and breadth of the country, the odd couple are hard at work collating Mr Clark's wartime reminiscences.

The stories will go into a scrapbook to be given to Lily and George who, when they are older, will be able to learn more about Mr Clark's wartime exploits, as
well as having a unique and permanent reminder of their extraordinary
"grandad".
Click to expand...

William Terence Montague Clark 219 Squadron. He was also involved in the Havoc radar trials. I'll post his Battle of Britain entry later.

Kyt · Mar 11, 2008

Distinguished Flying Medal 8 July 1941
819004 Sergeant William Terrence Montague CLARKE, Auxiliary Air Force, No. 219 Squadron.
This airman has displayed exceptional keenness and ability, and has assisted in the destruction of four enemy aircraft at night.

spidge · Mar 11, 2008

Not all could be heroes yet their heroism was shown by going up every time to meet the enemy.

Antipodean Andy · Mar 11, 2008

The perfect recognition - accolades and rememberance from the generations that follow.

I wonder who Mr Clarke's pilot was? Is he on our list of surviving BoB veterans?

Kitty · Mar 11, 2008

Damn wish I could meet him.

Kyt · Mar 11, 2008

Clark's and Hobbis' service details

Name: HOBBIS, DUDLEY ORMSTON
Initials: D O
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Squadron Leader
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 488 Sqdn.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 25/11/1943
Service No: 42709
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of Charles and Adeleine Hobbis; husband of Jean Hobbis, of Tynemouth, Northumberland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 118.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

And details of Hobbis' time ith 488 Squadron:

CHAPTER 8 — Night Fighters | NZETC

Nostalgair · Mar 13, 2008

Thanks for the post Kyt.

Another great read about one of these amazing men. And once again...so humble.

Cheers

Owen

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An airman through artist's eyes

Kyt Άρης

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An airman through artist's eyes

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Kyt Άρης

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spidge Active Member

Antipodean Andy New Member

Kitty New Member

Kyt Άρης

Attached Files:

Clark.jpg

Hobbis.jpg

Nostalgair New Member

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