MEMBERS of Narberth and District Probus Club were privileged recently to hear the story of a pilot’s escape from France during the Second World War, in a talk given by his great grandson, Adam Hart.

Frank Griffiths DFC, AFC was a special duties pilot who was shot down in August 1943 with his six-man crew over Annecy in Southeast France.

Frank was born in West Kirby but later moved to the Wirral as a child. After leaving school he bought a shrimping boat and lived on it for six years. At the age of 24 he joined the RAF soon becoming a Flying Officer in 62 Squadron, flying mostly Bristol Blenheims. Amazingly, during his career he flew over 60 types of aeroplanes. After a variety of postings, he was eventually assigned to 138 Squadron as a Special Duties Officer.

On August 14, 1942 Griffiths took off, on Operation Pimento, to drop supplies to the French resistance, but he was shot down by small arms fire near Annecy, Southeast France. His aircraft crashed on the small village of Meythet killing all six crew and five villagers. Badly wounded Frank, the only survivor, was rescued and hidden by the French Resistance and after recovering from his injuries, spent the next 108 days escaping through Italian occupied France to Switzerland, Spain and finally Gibraltar, from where on November 30 he was flown home.

Promoted to Wing Commander, Frank rejoined the Telecommunications Research Establishment in 1944 working as a test pilot on various projects including his being the first pilot to experience the world’s first automatic landing – later known as the Autopilot. He was promoted to Group Captain in 1953 and retired in 1962. He died in March 1996.

To research his book, Adam Hart retraced his great grandfather’s escape route. Along the way, he met several descendants of the resistance team who had helped in Frank’s escape.

Adam, a 25-year-old journalist, author, broadcaster and historian is originally from Llanmill near Narberth but now lives in London. After gaining a degree in history at Exeter University, Adam studied journalism at Cardiff University. His book entitled Operation Pimento: My Great Grandfather's Great Escape is available from Amazon or other outlets online.

Following the talk, Peter Lakey gave a vote of thanks.

The next Probus meeting will be on March 26 at the Old Board School Guest House, St Clears when the talk will be given by Club member Mike Bearman.

Mike has a vast knowledge of the aircraft industry in which he was employed all his working life.

If you would like to join the meeting, call Patrick Jones on 07846 660904.