The Probus Club of Narberth and District met at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel in Narberth recently.

Past President Rhys Watkins welcomed new member Freeman Brawn to the January meeting of the Probus Club.

The guest speaker was Dr John Rattenbury, of Wallis, Haverfordwest. John was a Consultant Biochemist at Withybush Hospital for several years and is now retired.

However, in his early days, before embarking upon an academic career, John spent 4 years in the RAF flying jets as diverse as de Haviland Vasmpires to the huge H bomb equipped Avro Vulcan bomber. John experienced the tense days and years of the Cold War.

Indeed, he was on standby during the Cuban Crisis which, thankfully, came to an uneventful end.

During his talk entitled ‘Three Pembrokeshire airman: Two who survived and one who did not’ - John outlined the experiences of two Goodwick Airmen, John and Doug Evans, brothers, both of whom flew Halifax Bombers over France and Germany.

John Evans was shot down over Belgium in May 1944. but managed to contact the French resistance who hid him until September when he and others were liberated by the advancing American Armies.

Doug was also lucky to survive and after the war went on to become a Senior Pilot with British Airways.

The third airman was an Australian Airforce pilot but who had strong Pembrokeshire connections. He was posted to Pembroke Dock and married a local girl.

He was Gordon Gould who unfortunately was killed by a bomb whilst trying to protect his wife from the explosion. His wife survived.

The Probus Club is a gentlemen only club attended by, mostly, retired members who meet once a month to enjoy conversing with others whilst enjoying a lunch and then listening to an interesting talk by a guest speaker.

They meet on the last Thursday of each month at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, at 12.30 pm for 1 pm.

The Club is always looking for new members so if you would like to join, please contact Patrick Jones (07846660904. email: [email protected]) or any other Probus member.