Birmingham, UK 96-year-old Harry Lloyd was a flight mechanic during WW2 but always longed to be a pilot. He never got the chance though as he was captured and only just survived four years as a prisoner of war in Japan, even escaping and being recaptured once.
His story was featured in a 1994 book, 'Colours of the Day', and when a volunteer in a Contact the Elderly group Harry belongs to read it recently, she was so touched to read that Harry's one remaining ambition was to fly, she arranged a surprise.
Sunday, Harry will have his first ever flying lesson where - conditions permitting - he will be allowed to take the controls and fly a plane for the first time. Harry's thrilled and it won't be his first 'first', either. The former paramedic and special police officer also took up scuba diving and life-saving instruction at his local pool and only gave up at age 76.
Really hope the weather in England holds, and this adventurous fellow gets his fly day at the weekend!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/war-hero-harry-become-pilot-9977668
ETA: That photo makes me suspect Harry also found time to turn his hand to painting too!!
His story was featured in a 1994 book, 'Colours of the Day', and when a volunteer in a Contact the Elderly group Harry belongs to read it recently, she was so touched to read that Harry's one remaining ambition was to fly, she arranged a surprise.
Sunday, Harry will have his first ever flying lesson where - conditions permitting - he will be allowed to take the controls and fly a plane for the first time. Harry's thrilled and it won't be his first 'first', either. The former paramedic and special police officer also took up scuba diving and life-saving instruction at his local pool and only gave up at age 76.
Really hope the weather in England holds, and this adventurous fellow gets his fly day at the weekend!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/war-hero-harry-become-pilot-9977668
ETA: That photo makes me suspect Harry also found time to turn his hand to painting too!!
