"They shall grow not old - As we that are left grow old" 

These words from Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen' were written to honour those who died in the First World War. During this period Douglas Hudson was born and later survived six years of wartime service in the Second World War, to grow old himself. Now at the age of 85, he has written his memoirs. 'There and Back Again' gives a dramatic account of his experiences on two Operational Squadrons of Bomber Command, separated by a period of two and a quarter years as a prisoner of war in three North African Prison Camps, one deep in the Sahara Desert. He was recaptured after making two escapes and repatriated to fly again operationally, following the allied invasion of in November 1942. It tells of camaraderie and conflict, deprivation and despair, resourcefulness and resilience, but above all the determination to redress evil. It is a tribute to all those who died serving their country during the Second World War.

Douglas refers with gratitude to a wonderful two page feature of his book in the Times Newspaper on 10th December 2002 by Catherine O'Brien and quotes the last three paragraphs.

'Since finishing his book, another letter has been added to his collection - from his 21 year old grandaughter, Emma. " I knew you were in the war," she wrote.  "But you just don't associate what you learn at school with people you know...I can't explain how reading this has made me feel, but I am so glad I have had the chance to see the war through your eyes." It's a point that sums up the pertinence of her grandfather's story.  Wagner (Erica Wagner Literary Editor) says.  "We are on the edge of living memory.  Soon the Second World War will be properly history.  There is a sense that we must seize these first-hand stories while we still can."

Signed by the author to the title page