FONFA Member Stories

FONFA members Doug and MArian Harrison from Baton Rouge, Louisiana visited the New Forest in May 2023 to walk in the footsteps of Doug's Father, Second Lieutenant (later Colonel) Jim Harrison DFC, who served with the 371st Fighter Group based at Bisterne Advanced Landing Ground in 1944

Friends of the New Forest Airfield member Patty Ashley visited the New forest in June 2023 to see where her Father Major (later Colonel) William (Bill) Jones served as CO of 393rd Fighter Squadron before he was shot down over Brittany.  Major Jones evaded capture and escaped back to England two months after he was shot down.

Friends of the New Forest Airfield member Stanley Booker, a former Halifax Navigator during WW II,  has had a most extraordinary combination of experiences during his long service career. Stanley donated his uniform and artefacts to FONFA and working with his Daughter Pat Vinycomb has shared some of his experiences with us.  He recently visited the Heritage Centre to have a look at his uniform on display.