The Cover of Merv Pike’s book,
now available at the Flying Boat Centre. 

 

 

Family follows wartime footsteps

 

An Australian family has travelled across the world following in the wartime footsteps of a flying boat pilot.

 

Anne Flaherty’s father, Merv Pike, spent two years stationed at RAF Pembroke Dock with the famous 461 Australian Squadron, flying Sunderlands.

 

“Dad always talked about ‘PD’ and a large part of his time in the Air Force was spent here,” said Anne, from Blackheath, New South Wales.

 

“He married a Wolverhampton girl in 1944 and their first married home was in Wellington Street, Pembroke Dock, so this town is important to us all.”

 

Anne was accompanied by husband Hugh, son Beau and daughter Samantha for their UK trip. They also arranged for copies of Merv Pike’s wartime story, which has been published by the family, to be delivered to the town’s Flying Boat Centre.

 

The book - entitled ‘Just As It Happened’ - is now on sale at the Flying Boat Centre where Anne and family met members of the Sunderland Trust team. They also had an extended tour of the local area and saw many reminders of the flying boat era including the two Sunderland hangars.

 

“Dad died five years ago so our visit has been very special,” added Anne. “Beau and Samantha were very close to their grandfather so coming here has been important for them too.

 

“We are all so impressed by what the Sunderland Trust has achieved in a short time and we shall be doing all we can to promote their work back home. There are many connections between PD and Australia through the wonderful flying boats, and these must never be forgotten.

 

“Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Flying Boat Centre because of the special place that Pembroke Dock had in Dad’s heart and therefore in ours. And, having been to the Flying Boat Centre, our support for it is undeniable.”

 

*  The Flying Boat Centre is open Tuesdays to Saturdays inclusive, 10 am - 4 pm. Funding for the Centre is from the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). This is administered locally by Pembrokeshire County Council and supported by Milford Haven Port Authority.

 

 

The Flaherty family at Pembroke Dock’s Flying Boat Centre with members of the Sunderland Trust team. Left to right: Allan Ross, Mike Hurley, John Evans (Sunderland Trust); Beau, Hugh, Anne and Samantha Flaherty.

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.