FAREWELL, OLD FRIEND

Poignant moment WW2 hero fulfilled his dying wish to see a Spitfire one last time

Ken Farlow, 95, saw action with the iconic planes in the Middle East during the Second World War

Danny Collins

Published: 12:15, 14 Jul 2016
Updated: 2:57, 15 Jul 2016

A TERMINALLY ill former Spitfire ace was granted his final wish to get one last look at the legendary fighter plane.

Ken Farlow, 95, has been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer and asked to see the majestic plane for a final time.

Dying wish... Ken with flight crew and a beloved Spitfire — Dying wish... Ken with flight crew and a beloved SpitfireCredit: SWNS

The 95-year-old helped to keep the planes in the air in the Middle East as the RAF desperately fought off Hitler's Luftwaffe — The 95-year-old helped to keep the planes in the air in the Middle East as the RAF desperately fought off Hitler's LuftwaffeCredit: SWNS

And RAF top brass granted Ken his wish by arranging a VIP visit to see the World War Two planes up close.

Former electrical engineer Ken helped maintain Spitfires and Hurricanes in the deserts of the Middle East during the war.

So when his daughter asked Gloucestershire Airport to reunite the war vet with the planes, he was given a no-expense-spared visit to the airdrome.

Ken Farlow looks on at the iconic Spitfires he helped to maintain during the Second World War — Ken Farlow looks on at the iconic Spitfires he helped to maintain during the Second World WarCredit: SWNS

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Helen, from Gloucester, said: "Dad was really poorly a few weeks ago. He was bed ridden and we thought we were going to lose him.

"I was having a normal conversation with him and I asked in a roundabout way what would he like to see.

"He mentioned a few things and then said he would love to see the Spitfire again. He knows time is precious, especially now.

Now terminally ill with colon cancer, Ken asked his daughter if he could see the majestic planes one last time — Now terminally ill with colon cancer, Ken asked his daughter if he could see the majestic planes one last timeCredit: SWNS

And kind-hearted bosses at Gloucestershire Airport granted Ken his wish with a VIP visit to see the aircraft — And kind-hearted bosses at Gloucestershire Airport granted Ken his wish with a VIP visit to see the aircraftCredit: SWNS

"We now have some wonderful photos and video - lots of memories to go in that memory box.

"And it all started from a photo of dad sitting in front of the fence at Gloucestershire Airport.

"Couldn't take the smile away from dad. He had a wonderful time chatting to the ground crew who were all so lovely."

The RAF's Spitfires and Hurricanes were at one time the only barrier stopping Hitler's Germany launching an invasion of Britain.

It is believed the Nazi dictator would not consider crossing the English Channel until the air force had been destroyed.

But brave air crews fought day and night during the summer of 1940 to fend off daily attacks from the German Luftwaffe.

Ken got the chance to test modern-day ground crew's knowledge of the legendary Second World War planes — Ken got the chance to test modern-day ground crew's knowledge of the legendary Second World War planesCredit: SWNS

The Spitfire, along with the Hawker Hurricane, were vital to stopping Hitler launching a seaborne invasion of the UK in the early years of the war — The Spitfire, along with the Hawker Hurricane, were vital to stopping Hitler launching a seaborne invasion of the UK in the early years of the warCredit: SWNS

Such was the bravery of barely a thousand pilots that Prime Minister Winston Churchill roared: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few."

Ken joined up at the outbreak of war in 1939 at the age of 19 and served as an engineer in the RAF with 38 Squadron in Syria and Palestine.

He then served with the Royal Australia Airforce 450 Sqn in North Africa and Syria and then back in England with 91 Squadron.

Helen caught the moment he saw the grand old planes again in a series of heart-warming snaps.

Ken even had chance to kick back with a pint and chat to today's ground crews.

Daughter Helen said she had rarely seen her father so chatty following the visit to the Gloucestershire airdrome — Daughter Helen said she had rarely seen her father so chatty following the visit to the Gloucestershire airdromeCredit: SWNS

Ken even got the chance to kick back and discuss his beloved plane over a pint of ale — Ken even got the chance to kick back and discuss his beloved plane over a pint of aleCredit: SWNS

Helen added: "I have not heard him talk that much in so long. He has loved every minute of it.

"I was watching his eyes and he was getting tearful and joyful at the same time. It brought life back into him.

"Many days recently he has not been well enough to go out so I think we have been very lucky recently to catch him on a few good days.

";His grandchildren, Charlotte and Samuel, are going to have some wonderful memories of their granddad enjoying the one thing he talks about near enough all the time - his time spent in WW2 on the aircraft."

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