Norman Whisler (1925 to 1994): Course 25 5BFTS. Started April 3, 1945, but not completed.
Norman Whisler joined the RAF in October 1943. He was posted to No 12 Initial Training Wing, then to an Elementary Flying Training School (4 EFTS) at RAF Brough in Yorkshire. He was at RAF Graveley before going to 5 BFTS in 1945. WW2 finished before he graduated from 5BFTS, and he returned to the UK in September 1945. He married Ethel Colwill (known as Andy) in June 1946. Norman got a job with the Eastern Gas board in 1953 and they settled in Cambridgeshire. He resumed flying in 1954 at the Cambridge Flying Group (CFG) and soon got his private pilot’s licence. He went on to become an assistant and then a full instructor. Norman had a break from flying between 1965 and 1972; during this time, he and Andy divorced in 1966 and Norman struggled with longstanding bronchial problems. After 1972, Norman continued flying with the CFG and gained a commercial licence. For a time, he worked flying businessmen to and from Ireland, and while in Ireland, met Colette whom he married. They lived in Galway where Norman became Galway Flying Club’s Chief Flying Instructor. Norman suffered a stroke shortly after a forced landing due to engine failure just outside Galway in 1994. He never recovered from the stroke and died a few days later.
All images and documents have been provided by Dave Whisler, Norman Whisler’s son.