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It all started almost two decades ago, when Rob Rooker began a small weekend project to look into Royal Air Force squadrons which flew out of a base in Dorset during the Second World War.

The father-of-two soon realised he was onto something interesting when looking further into 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron - and decided to attempt to reunite as many former members as possible.

He marks his most memorable achievement as reuniting eight ex-members in 2006 at Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Four had flown together in Burma and had not seen each other for 60 years.

Mr Rooker decided to start researching RAF Warmwell - which had been a fighter station in Dorset during the Battle of Britain in 1940 - at his local library after reading a newspaper article about it.

He found that 16 squadrons flew from Warmwell from 1940 to 1945, and eventually chose to write to ex-members of 152 through The Battle of Britain Historical Society, before waiting to hear back.
He received a call from one man, who said he had served with 152 and would send him a letter with some photographs. Then, Mr Rooker received a call which, in his words, would ‘change my life’.

This caller told him: ‘I am ex-sergeant Ray Johnson, of 152 Squadron. Can I ask what you're doing with my squadron?’ After Mr Rooker explained his project, Mr Johnson said he would help him.
The former sergeant also revealed he had been in contact with other members who wanted to help out - and soon after, Mr Rooker began to receive more letters offering help and providing stories.

He said: ‘The main reason I do this for is Ray. It gave him something to live for (after his wife died). He’s like a granddad to me. I phone him every week to check he’s okay.’

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