Coopers Croft care home resident, Brian Calladine (85), made a wish to his carers to see a Wellington Bomber war plane in honour of his uncle Alan, the first man in Derby to receive a Distinguished Flying Medal.
Although Brian never had the chance to meet his Uncle Alan, officially Sergeant Lewis Alan White, Brian often looked through family albums where his mum had kept news clippings and old photos, telling the story of his uncle’s life. Brian said,
‘My Uncle died during the war; I visited his grave in Belgium ten years ago, where his crew are also buried. It was important to me to see the type of aircraft he flew.’
Alan was enlisted in his teenage years, as a radio operator and tail gunner on the famous twin-engine bomber.
After telling staff at Coopers Croft the story of his Uncle Alan and that even though they had never met, Brian still wanted to honour his memory, a trip to The Royal Airforce Museum to view a Wellington Bomber was planned.
On inspecting the aircraft, Brian was ‘amazed’ to see that the Wellington Bomber was made mostly of ply wood, and imagined what his uncle must have gone through during his service.
Anita Rawlingson, the Lifestyle Manager at Coopers Croft, said, ‘It was a pleasure to be able to grant Brian’s wish to see a Wellington Bomber in honour of Sergeant White.
‘Learning about our residents’ histories is so important to us as a care home because their passions and experiences have made them the incredible people they are today, and allows us to help create memorable moments such as this.’
Brian and his fellow residents, families and friends at Coopers Croft will be welcoming Steven Game-Blackmoor on Remembrance Sunday for a special service and buffet from 10:30.
To find out more, call 01782 355 483 or email coopers.croft@hc-one.co.uk.
Coopers Croft, operated by HC-One, offers 24 hour, person-centred residential and dementia care With 66 ensuite bedrooms, attractive décor and landscaped gardens, Coopers Croft is welcoming new residents for short- and long-term placements with a unique all-inclusive fee to give peace of mind to residents and their families.