Reading author to write new book about RAF Berkshire airmen in World War Two

An author has started research for a new book about Berkshire airmen who served and died in World War Two.

The book, which has the working title Royal Blue: Berkshire's Airmen, will be the latest by three-time author, Andrew Long.

Mr Long is interested in hearing from any relatives of RAF airmen — including from Newbury — who were involved in flying operations during this conflict.

“The idea is to include short biographies and service histories of those airmen from Berkshire who were lost or survived”, he told Newburytoday.

He explained the new book would follow a similar format to his first title about Worcestershire's fighter pilots, The Faithful Few, but with some differences.

He continued: “Royal Blue will include those who flew on Bomber Command too.

“Newbury had many men lost in the bomber offensive on Germany, so it's important that I can tell some of their stories as well.

“The appeal is to ask if anyone wishes to get in touch about a relative and can supply material for me to research their service career.

“In previous research, families have provided letters, diaries and photographs, which proved to be very useful indeed.”

Mr Long is currently finishing his second book about the history of the Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft entitled, The Defiant. By Day, By Night.

“The Defiant actually mentions pilot officer, Gerald 'Hackers' Hackwood, who flew Defiants with 264 Squadron during the Dunkirk period and the Battle of Britain.

“He was killed in a flying accident on November 20, 1940, and was from Newbury.”

Once finished, Mr Long plans to start writing Royal Blue within the next eight months.

Mr Long has been researching the RAF for 40 years and has a background in aviation archaeology.

He is now retired and lives in Reading, where he moved in 2008.

Please contact newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk if you have any information which can aid Mr Long’s research.