I quickly found out that all RAF personnel records from the 1930s onwards were held at RAF Innsworth, and for a £25 fee, they will locate and copy them for direct relatives. The information you get back is very variable, but in my case, I was reasonably lucky and got back two sheets showing his postings, promotions and medical condition through his years of service.

In the meantime, further internet searches had uncovered Pete Myring's web site dedicated to Beaufighter squadrons, including those which had been based in Burma, and another site listing all the secretaries of squadron associations. The Myring site included reference to a book, "Silently, Into the Midst of Things", the 177 squadron history in Burma, but attempts to buy a copy were fruitless - it was out of print, and I still didn't know which squadron he had been in.

The information from RAF Innsworth confirmed that he had indeed served with 177 squadron as an observer/ navigator. I wrote to the secretary of 177 Squadron Association, Mr Tony Rieck, asking whether he had any record of my father. Imagine my amazement when a couple of weeks later, a parcel arrived containing a letter from Mr Rieck, and a copy of "Silently, Into the Midst of Things". My father was mentioned in a couple of places in the book, but Mr Rieck couldn't specifically recall him. He suggested that I contact a few of the other squadron members, to see if any of them had any recollections of F/Sgt P. Mead.

Several letters and phone calls later, I have been unable to unearth any more information or personal recollections, but in the process, I have had the pleasure of corresponding with several delightful gentlemen, who faced such danger nearly 60 years ago. Through reading the book, and reading his records, I feel that I have come closer to my father, and can now understand his reluctance to discuss 'what he did in the war', and his occasional distant attitude to the family. I'm also glad I had the chance to talk to some of his comrades, before the sands of time ran out.

I would like here to record my thanks to the following people who have been so helpful and generous in my researches:

• F/L Tony Rieck, Secretary 177 Squadron Association
• F/L Atholl Sutherland Brown, 177 squadron pilot and author of "Silently Into the Midst of Things"
• F/S Alf Aldham, observer to Atholl Sutherland-Brown
• F/L Jim Marquis, 177 squadron
• Mr Geoff Copeman, editor of the Goldfish Cub magazine
• Mr John French, former secretary of the Goldfish Club