A FAITHFUL FRIEND
By Angie Christie

     Many WWII British Airfields are renowned for their own ghostly happenings and sightings. These have been documented and written about on many occasions. There is one story that I wish to relate to our readers of The Night Watchman Chronicles.
     RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire is where my husband was once posted to. This was to be his final posting before he completed his service of 22 years in the Air Force. Now, some of you reading this story will probably remember a film which was a classic, made in 1954, called "The Dam Busters." It was the story of the wartime raid by Lancaster Bombers of the famous "bouncing bombs" attack on three dams in the industrial heartland of Germany. The leader of these air crews was Wing Commander Guy Gibson, played in the film by Richard Todd, and it was from RAF Scampton that the crews of 617 Squadron were stationed. At this time, a scientist, called Barnes Wallis, had the idea to create a bomb that could be dropped and bounced along the top of the water, eventually to blow up the dams. It took a long time to perfect this bomb, but perseverance paid off when he eventually managed to come up with the right formula that would work. The squadron chosen to fly the bouncing bomb into Germany was 617 Squadron.
     Wing Commander Guy Gibson owned a black Labrador dog named Nigger. He was the squadron's mascot. The tragedy to this story is that this faithful, much loved dog was killed on the road outside the base hours before the daring nighttime raid into Germany's heartland. Wing Commander Gibson was so upset. Hoping it was not a bad omen, he kept his dog's death a secret from the air crews of the Lancaster Bombers. He asked for Nigger to be buried outside his office at RAF Scampton.
     This part of the film "The Dam Busters" always upset me. I have watched it several times over the years. It's especially sad when Richard Todd holds his faithful dog's collar and lead. Guy Gibson returned from this daring raid and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. Sadly, Wing Commander Gibson was killed in 1944 when his Mosquito crashed in Holland during a raid. To this day, people believe that his faithful dog still guards his Master's old office at Scampton and that Wing Commander Gibson also haunts the airfield from which the raid was launched.
     Many years have passed since that fateful time and ghost hunters decided to investigate after a photograph was found of what looks like a dog sitting by a memorial to the crews of The Dam Busters. The picture was taken around 1980. This memorial is also close to the Labrador's final resting place. The photographer who took the picture is said to have claimed the dog just appeared from nowhere and refused to be shooed away. The dog, then, disappeared and was not seen again.
     The lead investigator thinks there is definite paranormal activity at Scampton. A cold spot was felt which was said to be the height of a dog. At Scampton is a museum and the curator is convinced that for years he has felt a presence following him and he said he thinks it is the presence of a dog.
     Another investigator stayed the night and, upon entering Gibson's old office, is sure that she heard a dog growling. It is said she was not the only one hearing this growling. It was, they said, a 'warning growl' as if the dog was guarding the office of his 'Master' and they felt it was telling them they should not be there.
     I have visited the base in Lincolnshire once or twice and always felt sad when thinking of the faithful Labrador and his long dead Master.
     The Labrador is a beautiful dog and has many good ways. Faithful is just one of them. So, if you are ever in Lincolnshire, near the City of Lincoln, look up at the twin spires of Lincoln Cathedral and imagine flying Lancasters (those who survived this famous raid) making their way back to base. Think, too, of the dog that, to this day seems to believe, even from Spirit, that he has to guard the office where he spent so many hours back in WWII.    

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