An unsung hero who carried out 33 bombing missions over enemy territory during the Second World War has finally had his story published by his grandson.
Trevor Steel’s late grandfather Flying Officer Bernard Steel, from Epsom, survived the war despite the extremely high casualty rate at RAF bomber command.
Mr Steel, 45, from Dorking, has written about the wartime experiences of his grandfather and comrades in his first book called Bombing Hitler.
During the war he said his family moved to East Street, Epsom, because a V-1 flying bomb, known as a Doodlebug, destroyed their home in Battersea.
Mr Steel said: "The night his house was blown up, he was on a mission dropping bombs on V1 sites.
"He’s always been my hero ever since I was young because of all that stuff. Like everybody of that generation he didn’t talk that much about it until he got older.
"I think it’s amazing what he and everybody of that generation did especially as they were just normal people."
The author said that more than half those who flew in bomber command were killed or injured during the Second World War.
He started to research his grandfather’s war years when his son, now nine years old, was born and said: "It grew out of hand."
His father Douglas Steel, from Oak Hill Close, Ashtead, said his own father was "very, very luck" to have survived the 33 bombing missions.
He said: "It was amazing, a fantastic story. My son decided to write a book about his grandfather who he absolutely idolised."
Bombing Hitler: One Man’s War with Bomber Command; £12.99; call 01235 465521; email tradeorder@orcabooksservice.co.uk; visit www.troubador.co.uk
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