I came to know Maurice quite recently as I was asked to compile his life and Masonic history as part of the celebration of his Fifty Years in Freemasonry [which took place on the 51st anniversary]. Talking to him was a most humbling experience as it quickly became apparent to me he was one of 'the few' to whom our country owes a huge debt of gratitude due to the heroics of himself and other selfless brave flyers of the 2nd World War.

Very cautiously, I began to wheedle out of him some very personal reflections on his experiences in the services i.e. the R.A.F. He insists categorically he was not a 'hero'; maintaining he and his crew executed tasks they had been well trained to do hence the humility I came to admire in him.

Maurice was born 16th September 1923. He was educated at The University School, Cambridge Road, Southport. School does not conjure up many happy memories as he spent much of his time there in the company of the school nurse or at home, too poorly to attend regularly. However, a highlight he recalls with justifiable pride, was being elected School Captain before the building was eventually burned down and demolished in 1972. Bryant Homes have built flats where the magnificent edifice once stood

Maurice volunteered for the Air Force when he was 19 years old, was put in reserve, working at Brockhouse repairing gun turrets. When he was eventually 'called up' he was taught to fly at Marshall's Flying School and Downing College at Cambridge University first learning to fly in Tiger Moths! His home is festooned in pictures of this aeroplane which has a very important place in his heart to this day. He still has a very close connection with Cambridge as his daughter and her family reside there today.

The Cadet Group Graduation photograph taken at Cambridge features Maurice on the back row, seventh flyer along the row was the inimitable Dickie Attenborough who signed the reverse of the photo with, "Best Wishes and Good Luck Always 1945". Imagine what this autographed photo might be worth today?



Maurice joined his crew of 39 Squadron as a second pilot in 1942, and was assigned to Bomber Command to fly the Martin B-26 Marauder which was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber. After entering service with the U.S. Army, the aircraft earned a reputation as the "Widowmaker" due to the early models' high rate of accidents during take-off and landing. The Marauder was such a finely tuned aircraft it had to be flown by exact airspeeds, particularly on final approach, more especially when one engine was out! The B-26 became a safer aircraft once crews were re-trained and the aerodynamics modified. After this the aircraft distinguished itself as "the chief bombardment weapon on the Western Front" according to a United States Army Air Forces dispatch from 1946.

In 2002 the media learned that all six of Maurice's crew who flew together in the war were still alive! Sky TV managed to convey all six airmen to their Manchester studios, accommodated them in hotels with their wives, interviewed them and the amazing story was broadcast. Of the six octogenarians being 'interrogated', as the last member of the team for questioning, Maurice was asked, "To what do you attribute the long life of you and your crew?" to which he mischievously replied, "Oh! Easy! I just keep taking the tablets!"