Last Sunday I had a brief interview with Frank Damerell, the 92-year-old war veteran from Chandler’s Ford.
Frank arrived at the War Memorial on Hursley Road just after 10.30am, accompanied by his son Phil. Frank later laid a RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association) wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the war memorial at St. Boniface Church in Chandler’s Ford.
Frank was born in New York in 1924.
Frank’s parents were originally from England (his father from Plymouth, and mother from Kent), so he held both nationalities before the war – British and American.
At 18, Frank joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (though he had tried to join up when he was 16 years old). He swore an oath of allegiance to the king, and gave up his USA citizenship.
Frank proudly said he has never regretted this decision.
Frank retired from the RCAF after the war when he was 21.
Frank was posted by the RCAF to England in 1944 and later married his cousin Nancy. They were happily married for more than 60 years.
He eventually retired from work when he was 70 having spent the rest of his working life in this country in Electrical related industries.
Frank’s roles included Lighting Salesman, Designing Lighting Schemes, Manufacturing and Installing Switchboard Control Panels.
In 2012, Frank and Nancy moved to Chandler’s Ford to be close with their son Phil, his wife Janet, grandchildren Susan and David, and three gorgeous great-grandchildren.
Night Fighter Navigator
Many people seem to think that Frank was a pilot during the war, but he clarified that he was actually a Night Fighter Navigator.
The aircraft was “The Mosquito Night Fighter”.
Flying as a navigator took Frank over France, Germany and Holland.
Frank said many people could fly a plane, but there was a shortage of navigators during the war.
“I was very good with maps.” Frank smiled, explaining his strength and why he was tasked with navigation.
Frank said subtly, “We were never far from the frontline”.
The Night Fighter had a bulbous nose which contained the radar equipment, essential for enemy interception at night. Frank also operated airborne radars to intercept enemy aircraft.
Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur
At the Remembrance Service, Frank wore his medals, including a spectacular one, in green and white – the Légion d’honneur medal, the highest decoration in France, awarded by the French government.
In April this year, Frank’s article Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur was published in the Parish Magazine:
“It is always very pleasing to know that some members of the younger generation really appreciate something which has been done by a previous generation. The French government, having expressed the desire to reward all those who struggled in the liberation of France in 1944, decided to award the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur to servicemen of the nations who participated.
All the groups of veteran servicemen in this country were circulated with the details of the necessary qualifications and they contacted their members suggesting they apply, which many thousands did. Thousands of the applications were successful and ranks in that order have been issued. There were so many that the distribution had to be done by post but the sense of appreciation has not been lost.
I quote from their letter:
‘As we contemplate the Europe of peace, we must never forget the heroes like you, who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were willing to risk your life.’
Our thanks to the French Government.
By Frank Damerell, April 2016, in the Parish Magazine of Chandler’s Ford (Editor: Cristine Clark).
Frank’s Christian faith
Frank is a very popular man in the parish church. Frank has been a Christian all his life, and he shared one particularly vivid memory of how close he felt he was with God.
He recalled that on one clear night, the stars were brilliant, he felt that “I could reach out and touch God”. Frank said that overwhelming feeling could only be felt when you are up in the air. Frank’s eyes were filled with emotion when he shared this memory with me.
Celebrating 90th birthday: flying an aircraft
Though Frank was trained as a pilot but during the Second World War, his role as a Night Fighter Navigator meant that he never had a chance to fly a plane.
Frank’s family knew flying a plane had always been his dream.
So, on his 90th birthday, Frank’s son Phil (‘My wonderful, wonderful son’) and family surprised him with a very special birthday gift – flying an aeroplane. Yes, Frank took control of a plane.
Frank set off from Lower Upham Airfield, near Bishop’s Waltham. A few minutes after taking off, the instructor told Frank, “You can take over now!”
The flying experience was more precious to Frank as in the one hour long round trip, Frank flew down as far as Bosham, near Chichester, where Frank and Nancy had lived happily for 25 years.
“It was the first time in 58 years I flew an aircraft.” For Frank, that was the perfect birthday gift.
Frank says he feels he is very privileged to have lived the life he has: “I may not have any money but I have treasure chest full of memories”.
Credit: Many thanks for Phil Damerell for his assistance in proofreading, and providing family photos of Frank. Special thanks also go to Hazel Bateman and Una Barter from the Parish Church.
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Related posts:
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 9 November 2014
Barbara Hillier: Story of My Great Uncle Wilfred Herbert Hillier and His Memorial Plaque
My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 3)
My Memories of ‘The War Years’ in Chandler’s Ford: 1939 – 1945 (Part 4)
Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford: 8 November 2015
Frank is a truly remarkable man.
I feel so grateful to Frank and others of his generation who served their country to bring the peace I have enjoyed all my life.
I heard it said that everyone wanted to be a pilot but only the most intelligent were selected for navigation. Mosquitos were fast and light, it must have been extra frightening to be flying at night and not knowing where you were. There are no landmarks at night. People like Frank had to get the plane to its operational area and then keep track of all its manoeuvres and then get home again, all in the dark.
Remembrance is the time we think of Frank and all those less fortunate who kept our civilisation together.
The Mosquito was a unique aircraft of WWII as it was made of wood and stuck together with glue made from milk, casein. There was a shortage of aluminium but plenty of wood and carpenters from the furniture industry. This made the plane light and fast but it did not do well in the tropics as it came unstuck.
Mosquitos were multi-purpose, they did high level reconnaissance, precision bombing, low level rocket attacks, pathfinding navigation for the heavy bombers and as fighters and night fighters with airborne radar.
They had a crew of two and could carry a passenger in the bomb bay. The armament was mounted in the nose which made shooting more accurate than from wing mounted guns because wings flex and bend in flight.
Being plywoood and glue none have survived to become vintage planes. Well, I think there is one still in a flying condition.
Many aircraft and crew were lost, partly because they were asked to do extremely daring raids. A squadron operated out of Lasham Airfield and there are pictures of them in the Lasham Gliding Clubhouse. You can go and see if you wish, the cafeteria there is open to the public.
Remarkable man; interesting article. Good to remember all those of his generation.
Wow, have only just read this now. Frank is such an amazing man, thank you Janet for taking time to capture these stories.