Barney Job, 92, a veteran who flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War has tracked down his co-pilot thanks to a member of staff at his nursing home in Bromsgrove. After hearing about Barneys heroism during the war, senior activity co-ordinator Gail Bessent started researching his life. She found an out-of-print book which featured a picture of him with the pilot - Jack Philips - who he used to fly with and almost died with. Despite having dementia, when Barney was shown the photograph, he instantly said ‘me and Jack’ and it was that which provided Gail with a clue and the inspiration to tracing his former comrade. She contacted the author of the book and found out Jack was also in his 90s and was living in Canada. Now the pair regularly correspond - Gail reads Jack’s emails to Barney and keeps Jack updated on what he has been up to. Douglas Job, Barney’s son, said: “I’m so grateful to Gail and everyone at Heathbrook House for going the extra mile and taking the time and effort to look into my father’s past. “His emotional tie with the Canadian Air Force, and in particular Jack who he almost died with, is so deep that despite having dementia he always reacts to Jack’s name.” What a lovely story!
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:02:00 +0000
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