In first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. It is the story of an idealistic schoolboy who couldnt believe his luck when the raf agreed to take him on as a pupil pilot at the minimum age of. Ive posted a piece about meeting him and the publication of his memoir, first light, on talking point, but here is the transcript of the conversation we had in his local pub back in february 2001. Geoffrey wellum dead youngest wwii spitfire pilot to fly. I cant even begin to tell you how difficult it was, physically and mentally, to fly three times a day in those sorts of conditions knowing that any moment might be your. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The times of londonhigh praise for englands bestselling first light. The story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain is a 2002 memoir by geoffrey wellum, a royal air force fighter pilot in the second world war.
Geoffrey wellum cornwall, uk left the raf in 1961 and worked for a commodities brokerage in london until his retirement. Published more than fifty years afterwards, first light is geoffrey wellum s gripping memoir of his experiences as a fighter pilot during wwii. Wellum was educated at forest school, snaresbrook, where he captained the school cricket team. Based on his personal, deeply moving memoirs, first light is an intimate dramadocumentary that delivers a compelling testimony of geoffrey boy wellums sam heughan any human heart wartime experiences, revisiting the stark emotions and fiery action that dazzled and terrified him as a young man and changed his life forever.
There have been countless books about the battle of britain. Published by penguin 2002 two months before the outbreak of the second world war, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. Details about first light new pal cult dvd matthew whiteman sam heughan geoffrey wellum. Combining geoffrey wellum s compelling first person testimony with intensely evocative action on the ground and in the air, first light is a powerful drama that documents the universal stark horror experienced by those involved in battle. Aug 02, 2018 geoffrey wellum, who has died aged 96, was the author of one of the most gripping personal accounts of aerial warfare ever written. Geoffrey wellum with bbmf spitfire mk iia p7350 in 2017 when it wore the markings of his second 92 sqn spitfire qjg. Geoffrey wellum was one of the illustrious pilots of 92 squadron flying from raf croydon and later, during the battle of britain, raf biggin hill. Two months before the outbreak of the second world war, 18yearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. May 17, 2018 first light will rank among the finest of second world war memoirs tony gould independent amazingly fresh and immediate. The evening standard london a work of exceptional quality. Jul 20, 2018 media caption geoffrey wellum recalls the rafs finest hour. The book was later adapted into a film for bbc television.
Buy first light by geoffrey wellum from waterstones today. Mr wellum stayed on in the raf until 1960 and went on to write a bestseller about his experiences in the war his 2002 memoir first light. Born an only child in walthamstow, essex, wellum was educated at forest school, snaresbrook before serving in the raf. Squadron leader geoffrey harris augustus wellum dfc 4 august 1921 18 july 2018 was a british fighter pilot and author, best known for his participation in the battle of britain. Geoffrey wellum vivid, wholly convincing, compelling.
The battle of britain memorial trust said former squadron leader geoffrey wellum died at his cornwall home. In may 1940 eighteenyear old geoffrey wellum joins the 92 squadron of the royal air force and is taken to the pub,where pilots who have. The bbc video brings the book to life, which is saying something since mr. When war broke out 2014, first light 2010 and battle of britain 2015. Geoffrey wellum military wiki fandom powered by wikia. Richly detailed, engagingly written, and emotionally resonant, first light is a treat for military history buffs and anyone drawn to dramatic comingofage stories. Two months before the outbreak of wwii, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum leaves school to become a fighter pilot with the raf. The terrible beauty of flying a spitfire at the age of 18. Mar 14, 2003 in first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. Dramadocumentary telling the story of geoffrey wellum who, at the age of just 18, was one of the youngest spitfire pilots to go into combat in the battle of britain. Thrust into combat almost immediately, wellum finds himself flying several sorties a day, caught up in terrifying. First light dramadocumentary telling the story of geoffrey wellum who, at the age of just 18, was one of the youngest spitfire pilots to go into combat in the battle of britain. One of the best memoirs for years about the experience of flying in war max hastings, sunday telegraph two months before the outbreak of wwii, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or.
One of the best memoirs for years about the experience of flying in war max hastings, sunday telegraph. Geoffrey wellum, who has died aged 96, was the author of one of the most gripping personal accounts of aerial warfare ever written. Squadron leader geoffrey wellum dfc born 4 august 1921, is a british battle of britain fighter pilot and author. Craig sluman geoffrey wellum was born on 4th august 1921 and joined the raf on a short service commission in august 1939. Desperate to get in the air, he makes it through basic training to become the youngest spitfire pilot in the prestigious 92 squadron. Media caption geoffrey wellum recalls the rafs finest hour. Bill howard, author of what the raf airman took to war talks about raf pilot geoffrey wellum, who wrote the foreword for the book. On the eve of the battle of britain, when geoffrey wellum first reported for duty at his raf squadron base, the adjutant was appalled at the 18yearold airmans lack of experience. First light 2003 by wellum geoffrey 0141008148 for sale. I really enjoyed geoffrey wellums book first light about the youngest spitfire pilot in the raf during the battle of britain. That said, it is a very good first hand account of what it was like on a very personal level. His father, who had served at gallipoli during ww1, ran an offlicence. Two months before the outbreak of wwii, seventeenyearold geoffrey wellum becomes a fighter pilot with the raf.
This is a great book about the authors experience as a spitfire pilot during wwii, from fresh faced 19 year old to seasoned pilot, flight commander, fighting in the battle of britain, and in lifting the siege of malta. Bursting with youthful energy and enthusiasm, he makes it through basic training to become the youngest spitfire pilot in the prestigious 92 squadron. Buy a cheap copy of first light book by geoffrey wellum. Published as part of the 2018 centenary collection to commemorate 100 years of the raf. First light new pal cult dvd matthew whiteman sam heughan. In first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the world had ever seen. The youngest spitfire pilot to fly in the battle of britain has died, it has been announced. D uring the early years of the war wellum had jotted down some reflections and these formed the basis of first light. First light, which was first published in 2002 and went straight to the top of the bestseller lists. May 01, 2003 thrust into combat almost immediately, wellum found himselfflying several sorties a day, caught up in terrifying dogfights with german me 109s.
Max hastings in the sunday telegraph rated it one of the best memoirs for. First light 2002, which was made into a bbc drama in 2010, was. Ive posted a piece about meeting him and the publication of his memoir, first light, on talking point, but here is the transcript of the conversation we had. Geoffrey wellum dead youngest wwii spitfire pilot to fly in. Squadron leader geoffrey wellum raf memorial flight club. But the combination of immediacy geoffrey wellum had jotted down notes in an exercise book at the time and distance another. In may 1940 eighteenyear old geoffrey wellum joins the 92 squadron of the royal air force and is taken to the pub,where pilots who have seen action sign their names on a blackboard. Sep 07, 2010 the youngest fighterpilot in the battle of britain, squadron leader geoffrey wellum, attended a screening of a new film inspired by his memoir first light.
Jul 20, 2018 d uring the early years of the war wellum had jotted down some reflections and these formed the basis of first light. Geoffrey wellum cornwall, uk left the raf in 1961 and worked for a. Memoir of the youngest battle of britain pilot reveals his. Jul 20, 2018 mr wellum stayed on in the raf until 1960 and went on to write a bestseller about his experiences in the war his 2002 memoir first light.
After the war he remained in the raf until 1961, and later ran a haulage business. First light by geoffrey wellum and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. First light by geoffrey wellum, 9780241984345, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Jul 20, 2018 the youngest spitfire pilot to fly in the battle of britain has died, it has been announced. Apr 25, 2015 bill howard, author of what the raf airman took to war talks about raf pilot geoffrey wellum, who wrote the foreword for the book. Wellum was able to put you in the cockpit with his narrative. Geoffrey wellum was born on august 4, 1921 in walthamstow, london, england as geoffrey harry augustus wellum. Born an only child in walthamstow, england, wellum was educated at forest school, snaresbrook before serving in the raf. Based on his personal, deeply moving memoirs, first light is an intimate dramadocumentary that delivers a compelling testimony of geoffrey boy wellum s sam heughan any human heart wartime experiences, revisiting the stark emotions and fiery action that dazzled and terrified him as a young man and changed his life forever. The first aircraft he flew was the tiger moth at desford. The battle of britain memorial trust said former squadron leader geoffrey wellum died. The flights are very well described in some detail. Wellums first light deserves to be read for many years to come.
The book opens with wellum s interview for the royal air. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read first light. In first light, geoffrey wellum tells the inspiring, often terrifying true story of his coming of age amid the roaring, tumbling dogfights of the fiercest air war the. Penguin presents the audiobook edition of first light by geoffrey wellum, read by andrew brooke. The times of london high praise for englands bestselling first light. First light new pal cult dvd matthew whiteman sam heughan geoffrey wellum. Aged eighteen, he signed up on a shortservice commission with the royal air force in august 1939. First light based on the best selling book by geoffrey wellum as. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Published more than fifty years afterwards, first light is geoffrey wellums gripping memoir of his experiences as a fighter pilot during wwii. My interview with squadron leader geoffrey wellum dfc was one of the first i ever did with a veteran of the war. The youngest spitfire pilot to fly in the battle of britain during world war two has died, it has been announced. Thrust into combat almost immediately, wellum found himselfflying several sorties a day, caught up in terrifying dogfights with german me 109s. Excellent book about geoffrey wellum joining the royal air force, struggling to become a qualified pilot, and finally being successful by joining a.
Original edition penguin world war ii collection reprint by wellum, geoffrey isbn. Next day,with no flying experience,he is expected to pilot a spitfire. The story of the boy who became a man in the wartorn skies above britain is a 2002 memoir by geoffrey wellum, a royal air force fighter pilot in. The youngest fighterpilot in the battle of britain, squadron leader geoffrey wellum, attended a screening of a new film inspired by his memoir first light. First light will rank among the finest of second world war memoirs tony gould independent amazingly fresh and immediate. Original edition penguin world war ii collection reprint by geoffrey wellum isbn. Recommendations from our site everything changes when you suddenly find yourself in the battle of britain.