Wartime pilot Jim Graves' first association with Pembrokeshire came soon after the war ended when his Sunderland squadron was posted to RAF Pembroke Dock.
Jim, of Milford Haven, was guest speaker at the April meeting of the Pembrokeshire Aviation Group, at Withybush Clubhouse, Haverfordwest.
In a fascinating talk he detailed a wartime flying career which began on the biplane Tiger Moth and ended up on four-engined Sunderlands. After initial flying training in this country he was sent to Canada and then the United States. Under the Towers Scheme', he was taught courtesy of the US Navy on various aircraft, graduating onto the famous American flying-boat, the Catalina.
Jim joined 201 Squadron in Northern Ireland shortly before the war ended and flew a number of operational patrols with Sunderland crews.
He came with the squadron to Pembroke Dock later in 1945 and this is where he met his future wife, who is originally from Neyland.
Jim is the first flying-boat pilot to address the Aviation Group in its 19-year history and he was thanked by vice-chairman, Arthur Squibbs.
The next group meeting will be on Tuesday, May 13, when members will visit the Prestige Air Engineers facility at Withybush Airport at the invitation of Mr. Geoff Martlew. The meeting begins at the earlier time of 7 pm and members are reminded that a foldaway chair will be a useful accessory!
All are welcome.
Further information on the group from secretary John Morgan on (01646) 601327.