May 26, 1944

Posted on May 26, 2026 • No Comments

One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. Cutting from Argus Herald Newspaper 1940 On this day in 1940 — the beaches at Dunkirk, and a Flight Sergeant already on his way home. 86[...]

The House Where Commandant Guerin Recovered

Posted on April 22, 2026 • No Comments

One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. Georges Arnult, Un Chirurgien dans la Tourmente, Éditions Lavauzelle, Paris–Limoges, 1981, p. 92. A hamlet in the Rhône, a surgeon's memoir, and one night in April[...]

The Croixault Aerodrome

Posted on September 8, 2025 • No Comments

L’aérodrome de Croixault sous l’occupation allemande, 1940-41 During the Battle of France, 53 Squadron was based here, engaged in reconnaissance duties to track the advancing German Army. One aircraft of the squadron was a Blenheim MK IV PZ¤C. The crew were Flying Officer Alastair Panton, Sergeant John Christie, and AC2[...]

Homage to the Airmen

Posted on August 30, 2025 • No Comments

On Saturday, August 30, 2025, I had the privilege of being invited by Les Amicale des Anciens des Maquis de la Vallée d’Azergues to pay homage to Flying Officers John Christie and Dennis Kieran Flaherty at their Commonwealth War Grave in Létra. It was a tremendous honour, and I extend[...]

It’s 79 Years Ago Today

Posted on July 26, 2023 • No Comments

79th Anniversary and Worthy of a Quick Reminder. FO Gribben RAF and FL Griffiths RCAF Crew of DZ 534 rescued from English Channel.jpg (L'équipage du DZ 534 sauvé de la Manche) SOURCE: © United Kingdom National Archives It's 79 years since the Mosquito Crashed in the Forêt de Brou. Overnight[...]

Day 16 – Knipton to Woodhall Spa

Posted on July 25, 2018 • No Comments

...and finally to Woodhall Spa. The site of the old RAF Woodhall Spa, where on 26 July 1944 9 Mosquito Pathfinders took off. Cycling wise - today was an easy run up from Knipton to Woodhall Spa. I had intended to travel via RAF Syerston, which had been the base[...]

Day 13 – Central London to Ampthill

Posted on July 22, 2018 • No Comments

Via the home of the Mosquito de Havilland Aircraft Museum At Last leaving London on the home stretch to Lincoln. I left Westminster and cycled the short distance to Kings Cross Station to RV with my daughter Katie to continue for the next two days. It's so much easier with[...]

Day 11 – Folkestone to Rochester

Posted on July 21, 2018 • No Comments

FOLKESTONE TO ROCHESTER Detling Kent I thought today would be an easy ride north. I was wrong. I rode north from Folkestone latching onto the Pilgrims Way. The surface of this route was really hard going and the rain - the first in 54 days I was told - was[...]

Day 9 – English Channel to Tournehem-sur-la-Hem

Posted on July 18, 2018 • No Comments

ENGLISH CHANNEL TO TOURNEHEM-SUR-LA-HEM I was not surprised to find that the wind that had blown directly in my face all the way down the Canal de Somme continued today. Christie was the observer in a recognisance mission over Belguim when on 11th May 1940 he was shot down. His[...]

DAY 8 COURCELLES-SOUS-THOIX, PICARDY TO ENGLISH CHANNEL

Posted on July 17, 2018 • No Comments

COURCELLES-SOUS-THOIX, PICARDY TO ENGLISH CHANNEL Today marks my first day of my second week in the saddle – none of this ‘having a day off’ like in the Tour de France.Today I pass by Poix in Picardy – A place of great significance for FO Christie. The very man who[...]