Parish Cake - Summer 2018

local legend
GEOFFREY PALSER
A Q&A with a wartime Spitfire mechanic, as told to Trisha Fermor
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Ashford in Middlesex, 95 years ago!
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
Ashford County School, which was the
equivalent to a grammar. What was I good
at? Annoying the teachers!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first and only job was with a very
eminent firm of commercial property
agents, Hillier Parker May and Rowden in
the West End. I went up to London on a
Saturday morning, not thinking I would
get the job, and got a letter asking me to
start on the Monday. I was with them from
1938 until 1982. During my time with the
firm I became a member of the Institute
of Chartered Surveyors and was given the
Freedom of the City of London.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN AIRCRAFT
MECHANIC?
I volunteered for the RAF and I worked
on all sorts of planes including Spitfires,
Hurricanes and Mosquitos. I saw service
in Bombay and Calcutta and was also sent
to Dum Dum. We had a camp in the jungle
and slept on charpoys. I was invalided
out with dysentery and was sent home
but when I was better I was posted to
Tangmere working on Typhoons. I then
went to Germany as part of the occupation
force and worked as part of a mobile
repair outfit. After the war, I re-joined the
London firm where I stayed until I retired.
HOW DID YOU COME TO CRANBROOK?
My wife, Pearl, and I had been living in
Surrey but did not want to be in busy
places so we moved to Sissinghurst. We
were married for 65 years
and we had two
children, Judith and
David. She was a
wonderful wife and
mother, and I miss
her very much. She
died four years ago.
WHAT MAKES
YOU TICK?
I like writing and
drawing. I have self-published a few books.
YOUR PREFERENCE, CATS OR DOGS?
Oh definitely cats. We had three at one
time but I don’t think I could have one
now. I had to give up driving because of my
eyes so morally I should not take on a cat,
but if one came through the door I would
probably give in.
ANY CLOSE SHAVES?
I think the most deadly was on the troop
ships. We had the Japanese overhead but
they did not bother with us but bombed
the docks in Calcutta instead.
WHAT IS THE MAIN
HIGHLIGHT OF
YOUR LIFE?
Surviving the war and
having a supportive wife.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TV
PROGRAMME?
I don’t watch much TV but I do like
Countryfile and good plays.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE CAKE?
Date and walnut, I don’t like heavy fruit
cakes.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?
I repair things.
WHICH DAILY PAPER DO YOU READ?
The Daily Telegraph but there is so much
rubbish in the way of advertising leaflets
on a Saturday I have switched to the Daily
Mail.
FANCY DRESS HIRE & COSPLAY EMPORIUM
Extensive range of costumes & accessories to hire and buy
Experienced Cosplay advice
Costume commissions also taken
Anna, Andy & Trystan Nield
Kent House, 33 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF
Shop: 01580 715340 Mobile: 07854 573784
anna@fancypantsemporium.com www.fancypantsemporium.com
07916 140683
jack.vine@hotmail.co.uk
www.jackvine.co.uk
42 Parish Cake • Summer 2018