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Eric Nixon joined the RAF at the age of 15. Ever since seeing a peacetime poster in his father’s pub, depicting the RAF as a gateway to a ‘brighter life’, Eric had wanted to sign up.

He joined in 1944, just before the end of World War Two. When the end of the war in Europe was announced he was still a trainee at RAF Halton and under the age of 16.

He remembers being told that although the war had ended this would not affect their training; they still had to pass their first year as trainees.

Desperate to be part of the celebrations but being instructed to stay on the base; some boys risked sneaking out. Civilian clothes were sent back home once the trainees signed up so if they were to join in that evening they had to be careful not to draw attention to themselves…some found this easier than others.

Dressed in the only clothes they had – their uniform – they tried to make temporary alterations to avoid detection.

For Eric and many of his fellow trainees, their minds were still on the battle yet to be won – victory over Japan. Many of the armed forces were still engaged in combat and it wasn’t until 15 August 1945 that a collective sigh of relief could be felt.

Later, in November 1945, the Halton trainees and other members of the armed forces stood together to take part in a Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Only three months after VJ Day this was the first opportunity to officially mark the significant contribution that fellow countrymen had made to WWII.

Eric went on to serve a further 43 years in the RAF, first as an aircraft engineer and later as a bomb disposal expert. VE Day was at the very start of his career.

Seventy years later. Eric’s memories of his time spent in the RAF are more vivid than his recollection of daily activities. He has been living with dementia for the past five years but looking back at old photos and attending the Alzheimer’s Society ‘Kitbags & Berets’ meetings helps to keep his mind active.

Surviving the war and simply being lucky enough to have memories and photos to hold onto, when young friends were robbed of their futures, is something that Eric will always cherish.

Image: A younger Eric Nixon

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