Service, Sailing and the Skies, The Story of Alan Barr- Former RAF Engineer

Throughout history, individuals have shaped their communities through dedication and service. Today, at Sundial Care Home in Tipton St John, we tell the story of Alan Barr, a family member (resident) who formerly served in the Royal Air Force as an Engineer. Alan’s story is one of a man’s resilience, dedication and love for adventure.

 

A Wartime Childhood

Alan Barr was born in Wimbledon on the 20^th of December, 1931 and is the youngest of four brothers. His early years were marked by the atmosphere of wartime Britain, he and his father would often stand on top of their air raid shelter, watching the aerial battles of World War II unfold in the skies above. Alan also recalls visiting his uncle, known as “The Captain,” up North during this period of the War. In his school years, Alan was quite a sportsman, he played rugby, football and badminton, until he left education at age 14 to work as a telegram boy, which were received at the London Telegram Office by morse code. Around this time, he met his first love Molly at a local youth club where she played badminton.

 

The Royal Airforce & The Sunderland

Alan joined the Royal Air Force in the late 1940s at 18 years old, he served for 4 years as an engineer stationed in Singapore, where he worked on the Sunderland flying boat. The Sunderland was a large aircraft that flew a crew of 10 people and was capable of landing on water. Alan’s responsibility as an engineer on the Sunderland was essential—keeping the aircraft fully operational and ensuring the mechanical and structural integrity was kept. Occasionally, Alan got the chance to join flights on the Sunderland, and his engineering skills were crucial to the RAF’s success in the region. “There were only 120 in our company, but we outsmarted every other service” Alan says.

 

 

But his time serving wasn’t all hard work, as Alan quickly discovered he had a knack for sailing, and was invited to join the force’s dinghy racing team, he still laughs to this day about the time the RAF team went head-to-head with and beat the Royal Navy team! From then on, Alan would continue to grow his natural talent for sailing throughout his life.

 

 

Family Life & “Orangie”

After his RAF service, Alan married his sweetheart, Molly, in the 1950’s. The couple lived in a flat in Morden and both worked as cigarette sellers, delivering cigarettes machines in pubs, however they both left this field when the health issues of smoking were becoming known. They then settled into a house in Addlestone, Surrey and welcomed their daughter, Amanda, on the 12^th of March, 1960.

Alan continued dinghy racing, mainly on the Thames and won many trophies, he also sailed the International Moth and Solos, both single handed! Sailing became a shared passion between Alan and Amanda as she grew up, with him building his own boat he named “Orangie,” and triumphed through the Layham and Wraysbury Lake Sailing Club. Alan was a talented sailor and enjoyed beating Olympic gold medal winning sailor, Rodney Patterson and meeting the round the world sailor, Sir Francis Chichester.

 

New Horizons & Sailing Success

In 1966, the family re-located to Lightwater and Alan transitioned to a career at a concrete company, then later joined a road signage firm. Among his projects was the signage for the Severn crossing bridge, and the family had the honour of attending the bridge’s opening by Queen Elizabeth II.

Around 1972, they relocated to Ross-on-Wye, opening a small shop which was attached to their house. Alan continued his passion for sailing, joining Llandegfedd Lake Sailing Club, where he and Amanda enjoyed competing against the Symons, a father-son duo, it was quite the rivalry! In 1976 he purchased two Laser dinghies for himself and Amanda (after he bet on how well she would do in her exams and lost!) Following this, he also pursued an interest in flying which led him to building his own microlight plane which he flew from the Shobdon Airfield!

Alan’s work ethic and hands on adaptability led him to various other roles, including a position at the Welsh Water Authority and eventually as a local taxi driver. However, this would become Alan’s final career, as he opted for early retirement due to arthritis. Yet, retirement marked the beginning of a new pursuit for him, as around this time he took up golf, a passion he would continue for many years following. Amanda, Alan’s daughter, welcomed a son named Alex in 1992, now making him a grandfather.

 

 

Later Years at Sundial

Today, Alan lives at Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth, where he is celebrated for his service in the Royal Air Force and is supported to live a fulfilling continuation of life. Alan enjoys sharing laughs and telling stories of his time in the force with the team he has grown close to, while also appreciating quiet moments in his room. Sundial Care Home provides a nurturing environment that honours and celebrates the contributions of those who served and came before us.

 

To discover more about Sundial Care Home, visit https://www.sundialcare.com/latest-news/