John Guest

John Guest who spent two years at Chelveston Air Base before being stationed in Belgium during WWII.

A few years ago, when I had finished keep fit lesson and done a bit of shopping in Wellingborough, I headed for the bus stop in Midland Road. As I waited there, a family of three came running up, enquiring if the bus went to Chelsdon as one bus driver had suggested they try this stop. Not having heard of the place I thought they may have meant Collyweston near Corby and shook my head. Then realising they were Americans I asked if they meant Chelveston, whereupon their 16 year old son, John said "I knew I would say it wrong".

John Guest in WWII at Chelveston

The family were Joe, Jan and John McAndrew, they related to me that they were on a UK trip to London and decided they would try and get to Chelveston where Jan's father, John Guest, had served during WW II as a navigator for the 365 CAN DO Bomb Squadron. He flew one flight more than was decreed in bombing flights over Germany, after two years at Chelveston he was posted to Belgium. He managed to survive the war and ended up as Fire Marshal in San Diego. John had been researching his grandfather's past for over two years before they made the UK trip and they decided to get a train from London to Wellingborough and find their way to Chelveston.

They looked a bit crestfallen when I explained no buses ran to Chelveston, but I would find a way to get them there. I rang my brother in Higham, Brian O'Rourke, who had no work that day and I knew my partner Fred Tyman was there, so I told them to stay put as I was visiting with some Americans, and we needed their cars.

My family are very welcoming people and did not find it strange that I turned up with strangers and so we all headed for Chelveston. John, Joe and most importantly Jan were able to see the Memorial in Chelveston to the Airmen. This had been a visit Jan and her father had planned to do together, but unfortunately, he passed away before they could make the trip. My partner took them to Stanwick so Jan could see where her father had lodged. Then the McAndrew family kindly treated us to lunch at the Star and Garter, where other diners were delighted to meet them. We then went to the Church and Jan took photos of the plaque commemorating the airmen. There was a social event in the Church and the family were made most welcome with one gentleman saying how the Americans were owed a debt of gratitude for their willingness to help the UK. We then all went to the airbase field which is now full of wind turbines.

After taking the family back to the station so they could get the train to carry on their tour of the UK. We received a letter of thanks with John saying it was the best holiday ever, as all he had researched, and he was able to see the fruits of his labour. Jan and Joe also expressed their thanks and gratitude as they coined themselves the wayward Americans, who benefitted so greatly from the kindness of strangers. In the course of an afternoon we changed from strangers to friends and maintain that friendship to this day.

Why did we get involved with strangers we had never met?  When we arrived in Chelveston in the 50's from Ireland my parents along with their very young family of 10, were helped not only by the kindness of the people of Chelveston but also by the wonderful servicemen and their families of the American airbase who made sure we had supplies of food and clothing. My parents always tried to help others and it was a way of my family saying thank you to the Americans for their help to my parents. I would also take the opportunity on behalf of my parents to say a big thank you to Mr Peter Grant (pop) who was also a true friend to a large family.

It was purely a coincidence but a brother's girlfriend runs an Alzheimer Day Care Centre called Can Do. How amazing is that!

John and Joe in Higham Herrers with Helen

Airbase