King and Queen send birthday wishes to Richard from Kineton
TO celebrate his 100th birthday, Richard Skepper, of Kineton received over 1,000 cards and presents from all over the world, plus a card from the King and Queen and a possible historic RAF flypast is lined up in the future.
‘Dick’ – as family and friends call him – joined the RAF in 1942 as ground crew where he maintained Stirling bombers and later moved onto Lancasters which were to be his pride and joy during his five years with Bomber Command – and for the rest of his life.
Around 45 people visited Dick at Kineton Manor Nursing Home on his birthday last Sunday, 30th June including his son, David, his wife, Lorraine, and their two children, Robert and Linsey - Dick’s grandchildren.
Born in Sevenoaks, Kent, Dick was one of five siblings – three boys and two girls – and he originally wanted to be a tank driver but David says he was persuaded by his mother to join the RAF instead.
During the war Dick began corresponding with his wife-to-be, Irene, and the couple tied the knot in 1945. They were happily married for 73 years and eventually moved to Kineton to be nearer family. Sadly, Irene passed away in 2018.
David told the Herald: “The RAF, through the Royal Air Forces Association, invited its members and members of the public to send Dick a card or a present for his 100th birthday and he received over 1,000.
“They came from everywhere. France, Germany, America, Canada and Britain. He had a card from a five-year-old boy and one from a 93-year-old which showed the ages involved. One gentleman even made a special trip to present Dick with a framed print of a Lancaster.
“My father had an affinity with that aircraft and loved working on them. It’s always been his favourite – head and shoulders above the rest. On some occasions, dad said he sat in the engineer’s seat on a few missions in the war.
“He was posted to No. 7 Squadron with Bomber Command at Oakington, Cambridgeshire, and last Sunday members of 7 Squadron, in Hampshire, sent dad a signed print of an RAF Chinook helicopter.”
Dick has pictures of Lancaster bombers hanging in his home and wears Lancaster socks and ties for special occasions.
Other celebrations for the 100th birthday included a special message from Air Chief Marshal, Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff.
A future fly-past might be arranged by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and – fingers crossed – it might include a guest appearance of a Lancaster.
