Guestbook1

From Keith Rogers To the family of Wally Phillips, from Keith Rogers, son to Jim (Buck) Rogers, Wireless Operator, who flew with Wally during the war in Lancaster Bombers as part of the Royal Canadian Airforce’s 408 Squadron based out of Linton on Ouse in Yorkshire, England. Wally and my father flew together on no less than 18 of their 30 plus sorties and mostly over Germany at the height of the most intense period of attrition of the war between July 1943 and March 1944. They were billeted together at Beningbrough Hall for the duration. My father, before his death two years ago, often spoke of his pilot Wally Phillips, who he considered with the affection of a family member. He described Wally as a natural leader, an ace pilot, an inspiration and a man with an admiration for his own crew. Both were lucky to survive the war with their lives. It’s true to say that these courageous young men were robbed of much of their youth but in the face of extreme danger, sorrow, grief and fear there was also a shared sense of humour with much laughter and companionship, a bond forged in adversity. They were brought together many years later when my brother Richard visited Canada and after a little detective work managed to trace Wally and from that day their friendship once again flourished. In 2013 Wally made his last and most epic journey to the UK at the age of 95 accompanied by Devon and Geoff to join my father and me for a re-union at RAF Linton on Ouse and at Beningbrough Hall. We got a royal reception and attracted the interest of Yorkshire Television News which filmed and aired the occasion that very evening. Both men knew this was their last reunion and it was an emotional farewell. They would have fallen about laughing if they could have seen themselves trying to hug each other seated in their wheelchairs. This was my first and only meeting with Wally but over those two days I appreciated that I was sharing the company of an extraordinary man, a man of high intellect and a razor sharp wit that had clearly not diminished with age. Wally, I feel that I owe my very existence to you and this is a heartfelt thank you for carrying my father safely through those times.