Barry Dickens, Air Commodore Ret’t, Chairman of SSAFA Berkshire, said: “Squadron Leader Booker was a Bomber Command navigator in World War 2. He was shot down over occupied France, captured and eventually ended up in a concentration camp. Thanks to Luftwaffe intervention he was released into their charge and finally came home in 1945. He packed more into the first 20 or so years of his life than most would in their whole lifetime. Modest and unassuming his survival after bailing out of his stricken aircraft is a testimony to his courage, fortitude, and strength of character. Sqn.Ldr Stanley Booker MBE RAF (Rtd) was originally born in Gillingham, Kent but has lived in Bracknell ever since after joined the RAF as an apprentice at the age of 17.
BBC News
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image captionStanley Booker has been awarded the Legion D Honneur by the French government
A 98-year-old RAF veteran who survived brutal interrogations by the Nazis during World War Two has been awarded France s highest military honour.
Former squadron leader Stanley Booker, from Bracknell in Berkshire, was 22 years old when his plane was shot down over northern France in June 1944.
Mr Booker was imprisoned until May 1945 and later received an MBE for his post-war work with British intelligence.
He has now been awarded the Legion D Honneur by the French government.
Armed forces charity the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) said Mr Booker, who was born in Gillingham, Kent, richly deserved the medal.
A 98-year-old RAF veteran has been awarded the Legion D’Honneur for his involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.
Former squadron leader Stanley Booker, from Bracknell, Berkshire – who survived capture and interrogation by the Germans, was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in France’s highest order of merit last month.
According to the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, the award recognises the veteran’s “military engagement” and “steadfast involvement” in France’s liberation.
Stanley Booker wearing the Legion D’Honneur (SSAFA/PA)
Born in Gillingham, Kent, he was aged just 17 when he signed up for the RAF as an apprentice.
Undated handout photo issued by SSAFA showing Stanley Booker (MBE), 98, from Bracknell, Berkshire, wearing the Legion D Honneur, which he has been awarded for his involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War. Issue date: Monday AN RAF veteran, aged 98, has been awarded the Legion D’Honneur for his involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War. Former squadron leader Stanley Booker, from Bracknell, Berkshire – who survived capture and interrogation by the Germans – was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in France’s highest order of merit last month. According to the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, the award recognises the veteran’s “military engagement” and “steadfast involvement” in France’s liberation.
A 98-year-old RAF veteran has been awarded the Legion D’Honneur for his involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.
Former squadron leader Stanley Booker, from Bracknell, Berkshire – who survived capture and interrogation by the Germans, was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in France’s highest order of merit last month.
According to the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, the award recognises the veteran’s “military engagement” and “steadfast involvement” in France’s liberation.
Stanley Booker wearing the Legion D’Honneur (SSAFA/PA)
Born in Gillingham, Kent, he was aged just 17 when he signed up for the RAF as an apprentice.