Uncle Ronnie Oscar R GOODALL, painter, was a rear gunner (due to his small stature) on Lancaster bombers during the war – he was called up as soon as he left school. He thought he would be doing good for humanity as he was a pacifist but soon discovered the horror of what they were doing, bombing civilians in Germany. He was haunted by terrible nightmares until he met his darling wife Jen (recently deceased) who took it upon herself to dispel them, which she did. He adored her until her death and beyond. They were recently treated to a visit to Bomber Command and treated like VIPs with the greatest respect, all expenses paid and travel arranged. It may have been York or further south – I can’t remember. He was thrilled to have done it but still weeps for the innocent people they killed.
I’m sorry that I can’t tell you more. I must say that Ronnie (family name) never talked about it and didn’t see his part in the war as glorious. He did what he was ordered to. He returned to Dundee and studied painting and became a noted Scottish artist. He has never stopped painting and is in his nineties. He will never get over the death of his darling Jen who he nursed for years.
Submitted by Maxine Clark