The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H L Flower

Hubert Luiz Flower was born at Ballasalla, Isle of Man on 24th November 1921. He joined the RAF as a Boy Entrant in September 1937 for training as a Wireless Operator.

He later carried out training as an Air Gunner and joined 248 Squadron at Sumburgh on 26th July 1940 as a WOp/AG.

He flew 126 sorties with Coastal Command. His subsequent service is currently undocumented until 1945, when Flower was serving with West African Communication Command.

He retired as a Master Signaller with the rank of Warrant Officer.

During the Berlin Airlift in 1948 he flew 103 sorties with 27 Squadron.

In 1952 Flower graduated from the London School of Economics and then served in the Colonial Service, retiring in 1965 as Provincial Commissioner for the Northern Province of Sierra Leone.

He was called to the Bar in 1967 and was then in the Solicitors Office of HM Customs and Excise. Flower transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department and retired in 1982 as Deputy Circuit Administrator, Northern Province.

Flower did not claim his Battle of Britain Clasp until June 1999.

He died in April 2015.