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      • Biography & True Stories
        July 2013

        Almost a Boffin

        by EE Vielle

        Tubby Vielle briefly mentions his schooldays, falling in love with his future wife when he was 15 years old and the effect the Great Depression and fear of starvation in 1931 had on his future. He describes his flying training at the RAF College, Cranwell, his experience as a fighter pilot at Biggin Hill in 1934 and his two years as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm at the time of the Abyssinian war. He explains his several narrow escapes from being killed – due to his amazingly good luck which was repeated many times during his career. He details the trick by which he escaped from the Fleet Air Arm and his delight at then being given one of the top flying jobs in the RAF. He explains the overriding problem that faced all aircrew (except fighters controlled from the ground) of knowing where they were and how to fly accurately to where they intended. His posting to the Special Duties List, first at RAE Farnborough and later (at US request) based in Washington, DC, was to help direct the scientists trying to solve that problem. He mentions the part he later played (as Head of Plans, Middle East) in the negotiations of the Anglo Egyptian Treaty, and his friendship with President Nasser. He describes how he found the solution to, and reduced the likelihood of further, fatal crashes of pilots flying the Canberra and, on his first supersonic flight in a fighter, solved the problem of some fatal crashes by high flying aircraft. His experiences after leaving the RAF cover an even wider field of interesting events.

      • Biography & True Stories
        August 2012

        Ben Diary of A Heroin Addict

        by Anne Rogers

        As a young man from a loving, middle class family living in a small English village, Ben Rogers appeared to have it all….but then he found drugs. As his life descended into chaos and despair, Ben began to chronicle his daily struggles with the aid of a video camera. He was hopeful that one day his experiences could be used to educate others. Ben lost his battle against addiction and died when he was 34 as a result of medical withdrawal. His family decided to release the tapes in the hope that other families could benefit. The result was the highly acclaimed, award winning SKY documentary, ‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict’ which was shown on national television 27 times and ultimately across the world. Ben’s mother, Anne, received hundreds of letters and messages, not only from addicts but also from families saying that the documentary had helped them realise that they weren’t alone. The film took Ben’s mum to the Home Office, with interviews on national television, radio and the press. She has spoken with many young offenders desperate to educate other youngsters about addiction and to honour her son’s wishes. The book includes writings and drawings by Ben which give a unique insight into the chaos surrounding drug addiction. His brother and sisters contribute too to the story of a family living on the edge. ‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict – A Mother’s Fight’ is both an attack against the government’s tolerance of addiction and a powerful and moving depiction of one family’s love.

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