British Resolve

Heroes Remember

British Resolve

Transcript

The V1s and V2s were about as hard to take as actual bombs being dropped from manned aircraft. The British people, they were truly magnificent. I can remember going around London after dark and the people had moved their beds into the tube stations and the platforms. They would be crowded in there, but it was a pretty safe place to be. So I guess they were pleased to be there. They had a way of taking things in their stride. I guess you’d call it rolling with the punches.

Description

Mr. Aitken describes his admiration of British resiliency in the face of German bombing.

John Aitken

John Aitken was born June 4, 1917, in Kenora, Ontario. He was the eldest of three children. His family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, where his father worked as a flour miller. After graduating high school at age seventeen, Mr. Aitken became a teacher and then school principal. He graduated from university in 1942. Mr. Aitken initially enlisted in the artillery, but after his arrival in England was selected to train as a meteorologist. As the war progressed he achieved the highest level possible, Independent Forecaster. After the war, Mr. Aitken continued a distinguished military career, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant.

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