“ordinary lives in extraordinary times” remembering and honouring four from Chorlton

Today was one of those remarkable days when a lot of us came together to honour four people who gave up six years of their lives in the service of their country during the last world war.

One was a fighter pilot, two served on the Atlantic convoys and one drove a petrol lorry across the city during the blitz.

Alan Wood had flown with Coastal Command in the Ship busting squadrons based in Scotland, Bob Cowan and John Mackay saw action escorting convoys of much needed war materials to the Soviet Union and Mickie Mitchell who began as a lorry diver went on to serve in the Fire Brigade in Manchester and later in Germany and Palestine.

As Bernard who organised the presentation said these were ordinary lives lived out in extraordinary times and I think everyone of us was impressed with the calm way they recounted the events they experienced with a mix of stoicism and humour.

As one of them said “it turns your life upside down” but it was what all four had volunteered to do.

It wasn’t a sombre affair and at times there was much laughter as well as genuine warmth for four people who just got on with fighting the war.

And in the course of the afternoon others who had served on the convoys, worked in the munitions factories or just endured the long years of a hard war were remembered.

Arctic Convoys, Spitfires and the Manchester Blitz – celebrating Chorlton’s World War Two veterans was organised by Chorlton Good Neighbours and was held at the monthly meeting of the local history group.

The culmination of the afternoon was the presentation to each of the four of an engraved glass plaque by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

This was followed the presentation to the two Arctic Convoy veterans with “65th Anniversary of Victory" medals by Andrei Makarenko, from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London.

The Arctic Convoy veterans are still not allowed to receive the Ushakov medal from Russia, but this anniversary medal was an acknowledgement by the Russian government of the high regard they hold for those who helped their country by participating in the perilous Arctic Convoys that got much needed supplies through to Russia during WW2.

There were over 80 people in the room and the along with local councillors there was a team from Granada Reports and a journalist from the Manchester Evening News.

So for those who were unable to attend it will be covered on Granada Reports to night and the MEN tomorrow.

And for those who want to listen to Alan, Bob, John and Mickie discuss their war service there are interviews on the Chorlton Good Neighbours site at http://chorltongoodneighbours.org

Chorlton Good Neighbours Care Group has been active in Chorlton, Manchester since 1967. This blog aims to capture the experiences of our members, many of whom are in their 80's and 90's. It also documents the variety of events and activities that take place in our group each week.

Pictures;  Mickie Mitchell in the centre of the three and Bob Cowan during the war, John, Bob with Mickie and Alan today at the event, and John and son with his plaque and anniversary medal, courtesy of Tom McGrath