Squadron Leader Tommy Broom DFC

My father joined the RAF in 1938. He flew 83 missions in various aircraft. He crashed in August 1942 while flying over Belgium. He parachuted out and went through the escape route known as the Comet Line. Nurses found him and got him in touch with the resistance, who helped him through France and the Pyrenees into Spain, and eventually to Gibraltar, where he was able to get a boat home.

The Flying Brooms – crossed broomsticks on a plane – they were not related, but another pilot called Ivor Broom was with him (Tommy Broom), hence the name.

Dad was awarded the DFC three times; only 42 people received it three times, and the 2 cars show this. He got the Caterpillar Club pin because he crashed and parachuted out.

A book was written about him by Tom Evans of the British Legion in Portishead. Dad and Tom wrote the book together, and it was published in 2007. He was a Pathfinder. Dad died in 2010 at the age of 96. There is a memorial to him in the grassy patch behind Roath Road and Slade Road (Portishead). He served for a short time after WWII. His wife was German; her first husband had died, and she had a daughter. She was his interpreter.