This book covers the author's early life, work experiences and retirement. At 18 years of age he was trained as a fighter pilot during National Service in the Royal Air Force. This was followed by 6 years with Nos. 616 and 501 fighter squadrons in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, then 6 years as an airline pilot with Trans Australia Airlines and Swissair. Particular attention is paid to his experiences flying the Gloster Meteor, the Allies first jet fighter, and the saga of the well-kept secret of the many lives lost flying this airplane. The author's other occupations described here are his...

By Chance or by Choice? Which of your life-changing moments have happened by chance, and which by choice, by destiny or by desire? Like millions of others, I had nothing to do with starting World War Two in 1939 which nevertheless was responsible for completely changing my life; on the other hand, in 1957 I did choose to change direction by emigrating to Australia from England. Sometimes it is a combination of both chance and choice, such as when an unexpected opportunity arises, do you make the most of it? I had never been interested in airplanes, but when the opportunity to become a pilot...

During my time in Australia during WWII, I enjoyed playing many sports including Australian Rules Football, and I loved following the local Victorian Football League (VFL). Back in England after the war, I was asked to describe the game to a class of secondary students. I drew a big oval on the blackboard, and filled it with the 18 players from each side. I described the shape of the ball, and explained how you could drop-kick it, or punt it, and also that you could pass the ball by punching it out of your hands, but that you were not allowed to throw it, and I explained the scoring system....