Anyone travelling via the Channel Ports next year do think of a detour
to the Hawkinge Battle of Britain museum, just north of Folkestone, open
Apr-Oct. There is memorabilia there supporting the story of over 400 of
the 600+ aircrew killed in the Battle of Britain. It's enthralling,
deeply moving, and entirely the work of a small band of volunteers.
RAF Hawkinge is now a vast modern housing estate, its road names and the
sadly neglected officers mess the only other testimony to its
illustrious past. Occasionally there's a dramatic press furore because
a bit of ordnance or a few lumps of asbestos from the hangar roofs get
unearthed. Some silly woman gets presented on TV with babe in arms
lamenting as to how "they" shouldn't allow it to happen. Lest we
forget, indeed. How values have declined.
HNY to all
Lynn
-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Leuty
Sent: 22 December 2005 22:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The few
When I joined my practice 20 years ago, I had a big pair of shoes to try
and fill. The outgoing partner was much loved by his patients and
admired by his colleagues. Nothing seemed to worry him, he was confident
and reassuring, and said the most outrageous things to his female
patients who all knew he was joshing and loved him for it. How, I
wondered, could a man have such an unworried yet caring manner?
I only learned this week from a patient that he flew a Hurricane during
the second world war. Touching the face of God* - a good preparation for
the life of a GP.
Mike
* (Thanks to Julian for introducing me to Gillespie Magee's poem.)
--
Michael Leuty
Nottingham, UK
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