In 1976, while I was a lowly SAC stationed at Brüggen, my mother was taken seriously ill. The doctor in the hospital asked if there was anything she needed, she said I want my son, he's in the airforce in Germany. The doctor phoned the CIO and explained the situation. The CIO called Innsworth, they worked out who I was and set the wheels in motion. I was on late shift and had been out and about, when I got back to my room to get changed for work there was a note on the door saying " Come to work, don't wear uniform", once I got to work my flight commander told what was going on, as it was too late to go to the bank he gave me £100 cash and said pay me back when you get back. A staff car took me back to the block where I packed a bag and I was then taken back to the airfield where a 60 sqn Pembroke was waiting, I was flown to RNAS Lee on Solent where an RN staff car took me to the hospital in Portsmouth where my mother was in intensive care.
So, within three hours of me reading the note I was by my mothers bedside.