Ex-10 Squadron member Stanley Booker MBE, shot down in Halifax III MZ630 on the night of 2nd/3rd June 1944, and later Buchenwald camp survivor, is the subject of a new book that has just been published by Grub Street: Airman, Prisoner, Saviour, Spy by author Sean Feast. The descriptive text about this new book is as follows:
Stanley Booker volunteered for aircrew at the age of 18 and qualified as an observer, flying operations with 10 Squadron in the summer of 1944. Shot down just before D-Day, he was betrayed to the Gestapo and imprisoned in Fresnes, the notorious gaol on the outskirts of Paris, where he was subjected to a brutal interrogation and torture at the hands of the SS. His experiences troubled him for the rest of his life. Rather than being treated as a prisoner of war, Stanley was one of 168 airmen transported to Buchenwald Concentration camp to await execution as ‘Terror Flyers’, only to be saved at the eleventh house by the intervention of the Luftwaffe. On his ultimate return to England no-one wanted to believe where he had been or what he had seen. So began an 80-year battle with the authorities to prove what had happened, and to receive the recognition which he and his fellow prisoners were due, as well as ensuring those servicemen who had died or were murdered in the camp were properly commemorated. After the war, Stanley flew more than 200 operations during the Berlin Airlift, aiding a nation which only a few years earlier had been intent on his elimination. He was later recruited by the Intelligence agencies in Berlin at the height of the Cold War and suffered another betrayal, this time at the hands of the traitor George Blake. As John Nichol has written in his foreword: “Stanley Booker’s extraordinary story is painstakingly researched and sympathetically written, providing a remarkable account of individual service and sacrifice. Even though I was shot down myself during the Gulf War in 1991, held as a prisoner of war by hostile captors, I can only begin to imagine the terrible suffering Stanley had to endure, and I marvel at his fortitude as a survivor who died in January 2025, still fighting for justice, at the remarkable age of 102.”
This book is now available and your local bookshop should be able to order it. If you prefer an online option, Amazon can also supply it through this link.
Author Sean Feast with the first copies of his new book (source: Facebook via Gary Etchells).
World War II veteran George Dunn DFC Ld'H passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 28th April 2026. He was 103 years old.
George completed forty-four operations during the Second World War. He flew his first tour in 1943, on Handley Page Halifax bombers, during one of the most intense periods of the bombing war.
Following two trips as a second pilot with No. 10 Squadron, to gain operational experience, George then flew with No. 76 Squadron from May to October 1943, taking part in the Battle of the Ruhr, the Battle of Hamburg and the raid against the German secret weapon research station at Peenemünde.
On completion of his tour and a period as an instructor pilot, George then took up duties flying de Havilland Mosquitos, firstly with No. 608 Squadron and then with No. 1409 Met Flight.
George only flew with 10 Squadron for two trips to gain experience but he must have been one of the few remaining World War II veterans who flew with 10 Squadron. Our thoughts go to his family, friends and all that knew him.
A moneybox created as a piece of trench art was donated by ex-Chairman David Mole to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. John Rattenbury formally handed it over to the Centre on behalf of David. Visiting on the reopening day for the centre, he was not aware of the dress code for that specific day but that did not dampen any spirits.
John Rattenbury shows the Sunderland money box to Heritage Centre Volunteers wearing costume from Victorian times to Star Wars! Left top right: Paul Emens, Marilyn Mitchell, John Rattenbury, Louise Facer and Peter Mitchell.
The International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln is looking to expand its archive of digital recollections and would like to get in touch with personnel involved in post-WWII Bomber Command. For 10 Squadron, that covers the 1950s period where it operated the Canberra B2 and Victor B1. Anyone willing to share photographs, letters, diaries, logbooks and other memorabilia to be digitally preserved can contact the Collections Archivist Michelle Andrews on
IBCC Post-War Bomber Command Flyer