Royal Air Force - 12 years.

At a time when the RAF was not overly active round the world I was lucky/unlucky to have been involved in two conflicts. And lucky to have come out alive.

I was a radio operator for a foot patrol during the troubles in Northern Ireland. We were the victims of a controlled car bomb. I was the only one out of seven to survive. I lost three weeks in a coma in Nocton Hall Hospital.

At the end of my service, I was recalled from demob leave to go down to the Falklands. I was sitting in a large tent with some army guys, miles from nowhere, in a supposed safe area. I bent over just as an Argentine bullet whizzed through - I felt the draught on the back of my head. When I sat back up, I could see the bulletholes, on either side in line with my ears. A split second - one way or the other - the difference between life and death.

Yes, I was a very lucky Airman.

Regards

Chas