A Happy Reunion for Wartime Friends

My dad, Arthur Frederick Pavely, was an aircraftman in the RAF stationed in Ilford. He was employed on balloon barrages locally. He married my mum, Gladys, in December 1940.

Whilst in the RAF my dad made friends with Alfred Lasen 'Tiny' who was 6 feet 10 inches tall and 23 stone! Dad went into the hospital and when he came out 'Tiny' had been sent elsewhere. He searched for him after the war to try and make contact, but no luck.

Then in 1964, he was reading the Evening Standard and there was a photo of 'Tiny', who was a champion blood donor. Delighted, the two men made contact and met up again, courtesy of the Evening Standard. I still have the newspaper cutting with the photo of them together.

I also have a story about my mum, Gladys Hogg who married Arthur Pavely. Mum worked for thirteen years for Boots in Cheapside as a general secretary to the managers. In 1943, she was forced to leave her job to look after her mother and I have a very nice letter written to her from the company thanking her for her service. She was also presented with a granddaughter (long case) clock.

My mum worked in the centre of London all through the Blitz, which was a frightening experience for anyone. Perhaps she was glad to get away from that sort of stress.