Regarding the throw away lines, Mrs O-D was a fairly senior female at B/H and she - aided by yours truly of course - was detailed to look after Wg Cdr Ivor Cosby at the BofB cocktail party, even though he was a mess member.
Some bright young thing asked if he realised he was saving civilisation or some such, when he fought the battle.
Ivor put on a look of amazement and incredulity before saying: "My dear chap we did it so that every year thereafter we would be invited to at least one decent cocktail party".
Lovely man, with an eye for the ladies to the end - he even featured in a Pilots' Pals calendar one year!
Old Duffer