Parents at War

This presentation started when David was drawn on a journey of discovery after finding nearly 150 letters that my parents had exchanged between 1942 and 1945 before they were married. With the help of the letters and extensive research he has been able to piece together a detailed picture of their wartime experiences through his book, Parents at War. David discovered how his father was in the crew of HMS Dorsetshire when she took part in the pursuit and sinking of the Bismarck. His mother was a radar operator in the WAAF and served at 5 RAF radar stations and found herself tracking enemy aircraft on their bombing missions. The young lovers met by chance in a Haverfordwest hotel in 1942 and had only a short relationship before my father was sent to the hostile waters of the Mediterranean where he commanded a minesweeper and was involved in 6 invasions.

This meeting will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 280 The Meadway, Tilehurst. Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.45pm start. Ample free parking and good company with lively discussion and help for those who are stuck with their research. All are welcome, non-members £5 per person. 

Booking Information: Advance booking, for members and non-members is appreciated but not required. Non-members have the option to register and pay online in advance. If you prefer to pay on arrival, please note that we can only accept cash payments at the venue. 

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£5
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Date
Thu 24 Sep 2026
Time
Doors open at 19.15
19:45 - 21:00

Tickets

£5.00
Location
Reading Branch
Reading Branch
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, 280 The Meadway, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 4PE, Berkshire

Category

Organiser

Reading Branch - Berkshire FHS
Email
reading@berksfhs.org.uk
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Speaker

  • David Bickerton
    David Bickerton

    David Bickerton is a retired civil engineer living in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Since retirement, in addition to researching his own ancestry, he has researched the ancestry of about 20 other people. He has also written a book entitled ‘Parents at War’ outlining his parents’ wartime experiences based on 150 letters discovered after they died.