A ROYAL HOME-COMING – Flags and church bells greet Badsey airman
The ringing of church bells, the congratulations of friends and neighbour, and streets gaily decked with flags and bunting, heralded the home-coming of L/AC Phil Sparrow of Brewers Lane, Badsey, when he arrived in the village on Wednesday after four years away from home, three of which have been spent in Japanese prisoner of war camps.
L/AC Sparrow, who is well known in the village, had nothing but praise for the organisation which brought him home from Singapore, and he spoke of the enthusiastic reception given him and his fellow prisoners at the various Empire ports at which they called.
Recalling his first night in England, L/AC Sparrow said he could not sleep owing to the strange feeling of being in a bed and with sheets to keep him warm.