Airman honoured

Jack Taylor gets his medal

A FORMER airman who served in the Far East has been presented with a special medallion.

Jack Taylor has been president of Oldham Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) for six years — but has never had a medal of office.

However, that was rectified at the association’s annual dinner at Shaw Road Conservative Club when he received the honour form Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Jim McArdle.

Mr Taylor (88) from Chadderton volunteered for the RAF in 1940 and did a stint with the Home Guard while he was waiting to be accepted.

His training started after the Battle of Britain and he was initially a wireless operator air-gunner with coastal command before serving in the Burma Campaign.

He retired from the RAF in 1963 and is a stalwart of Oldham RAFA — the association’s only remaining branch in North Manchester.

After receiving his medallion he said: “I was very surprised and shocked. It was unexpected.”

Oldham RAFA is nearing the end of a three month fund-raising campaign for the Wings Appeal which supports nursing homes and welfare programmes for former RAF personnel.

Mr Taylor paid tribute to Agnes Buckley (92) and Margaret Gilchrist (87) who have been at the forefront of the collections in local supermarkets — which have raised more than £10,000.

“They helped myself and treasurer and Wings Appeal organiser Les Walton to raise the funds. It’s been pretty hard work for them. Les has worked tremendously hard over the past four years fund-raising and is worthy of special mention,” he added.

“We are very grateful to people for their generous response to the appeal.”