Arundel veteran relives wartime heroics for museum talk

However relatively little is heard of the achievements of aircrew who tackled the Japanese enemy in the Far East during the Second World War.

But this week 93-year-old Arundel man, David Golding his hoping his wartime experiences will shine a light on the aerial raids in Asia.

David received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics in the Far East.

And on Saturday (July 4), in the ballroom of the Norfolk Arms, Arundel, he will be giving a talk on behalf of Arundel Museum entitled ‘How I Didn’t Win the War’.

David, despite his courage during the war, has remained modest about his endeavours.

During the conflict he was a flight navigator and regularly came face to face with danger when attacking some of the targets that were fiercely defended by the Japanese.

The bombing raids saw him and his crew coming under attack by enemy fighters and flying into heavy barrages of anti-aircraft fire, flying through appalling monsoon conditions and among towering mountains, time after time. On April 5, 1944, a temporary fame of sorts was thrust upon him when he became the first person to drop a 4,000lb bomb outside of Europe.

Recounting the experience, David said: “We weren’t really brave; we were just doing our job. You never thought you were going to die - it would always be another chap.”

He has a wealth of fascinating reminiscences to recount, perhaps all the more telling as he speaks of them without even a trace of gung-ho in his voice but with plenty of dry humour.

David completed his tour of Asia on April 2, 1945, having flown 38 missions for a total of 300 hours and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

Tickets for the night are £5 and available from Arundel Museum on 01903 885866 or via www.arundelmuseum.org/ or [email protected]