No words required to see the enjoyment that both Mum and Dad got from having Ollie arrive into the family fold.

This picture was taken in New Delhi I believe, when Dad met up with his adored AF pals.  He was always so touched at everyone's kindness and how both my parents enjoyed their return trips to India. He got to spend his "funny" money, his pension in India!

Dad could finally afford to own his very own car and how he loved all the cars he bought!

The Alfa, which sounded like a sewing machine to me, but he would always try to bend your ear about the amazing performance of this car....  the red heap of Italian metal.....the rust eventually forced him to give up this car.


The BMW - my son Adam christened this car "Batmans Willy"! This car purred and how well he looked after this car! Before his hearing started to fade, he would ensure that there was NO noise inside this car, not a rattle or a squeak! He spent hours removing the housing of the driver side seat belt, because he was convinced that he could fix that particular squeak...and he did crack it in the end. This car proceeded to serve my parents well, but he struggled to give up this car, it was a tough battle....until the passenger side door gave up the ghost and it became dangerous for my Mother! 


The Mitsubishi - what can I say about this car....he should have had a fully automatic by this stage of his life, but he did so well to over come the challenges that this car gave him, proof that he never gave up!   

A real Actor Type!

For every step of the way, they have been there for me.

Dad was very proud of the camera, he had bought it in Congo, he sold it shortly after this was taken; money was always short.

The Family, circa 1960, with Simba.

Dad always said Uncle Qaiser was the better shot with a rifle. They both went to St. Peter's School, Panchgani; where Uncle Qaiser was a champion boxer!

Thanks Shanks.

Mum never had to worry while the Oldman was around!

Uncle Gabbu making sure Dad doesn't have to put his drink down!

Dad and Mum in the kitchen that we built. Mum cooking up a storm and Dad making sure he diverts her attention away from the glass of whisky by telling a joke! He was successful most times but I believe Mum loved the fact that finally, he could afford to have a drink!

They had a wonderful holiday in India in 2007.

The bike did not last long, but the stories about it never stopped!

Dad frequently only posed for photos under duress!

This was a happy place for the family. Just like everywhere we went, Mum made it bloom with flowers.

The family got together to celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Not quite a Spitfire, but Dad spent endless hours with the 'manual' and in tinkering with his BMW, sometimes to Mum's great irritation.

They were blessed by the arrival of their first great grandson, Ollie.

This is my mother's favourite picture of my father.

I remember Pete in two phases. In the first phase he was I think a Flt Lt in Agra and my brother's neighbour in the Air Force Station there. I was a boy in school in those days and used to play with Pete's children, Mark and Lindy. In the second phase I was a Wing Commander in the High Commission of India, Aldwych, London and Pete and Mrs Wilson had joined the party as guests of the Indian High Commission. I and my wife Rupa had walked up to them and chatted with them till the party ended. We exchanged memories of the IAF and Pete shared many a story of his days in the IAF. I will always remember Pete as one of the finest the IAF has had. I pray he finds eternal peace with the Almighty. 


Air Cmde B Ray Chaudhury (Veteran)
Pune
31 Dec 2015