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Life's Too Short to Cry
- The Compelling Story of a Battle of Britain Ace
- Narrated by: Roger Davis
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
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Life's Too Short to Cry
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Summary
A newly discovered “exhilarating and moving memoir” of an RAF fighter pilot in World War II (Daily Mail).
It is not often that a long-hidden gem of a manuscript is published, bringing a moment in WWII history to vivid life for today’s audiences. Geoffrey Wellum’s First Light was one example. The memoir of Timothy Vigors is another.
Born in Hatfield but raised in Ireland and educated at Eton and Cranwell, Vigors found himself in France in 1940 flying Fairey Battle bombers. After the Fall he joined the fighters of 222 Squadron, with whom he saw frantic and distinguished service over Dunkirk and persevered through the dangerous days of the Battle of Britain, when he became an ace.
Vigors transferred to the Far East in January 1941 as a flight commander with 243, then to 453 Squadron RAAF, and on December 10 of that year he led a flight of Buffaloes to cover the sinking Prince of Wales and Repulse. Dramatically shot down, burnt, and attacked on his parachute, he was evacuated to Java, and from there, to India. As he describes these experiences in his handwritten account, the author provides a fascinating and valuable record, a newly discovered personal narrative of air combat destined to be seen as a classic.
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- Steve Harris
- 29-10-21
Enthralling life, wonderfully described
I've read many wartime accounts but this is the best yet. This man truly had the luck of the Irish
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- J. Barani
- 10-12-22
Very compeling and entertaining account of how lucky survivors of WWII really were.
Very compeling and entertaining account of how lucky survivors of WWII really were. Very down to earth portrayal of the life of a fighter pilot. Highly recommend!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jamie Mclaren-Smith
- 31-03-23
Absolutely fantastic
The story, as you’d expect is gripping. From daily life through to edge of your seat dog fights. It’s an amazing tale.
An incredible life, incredibly well acted / read.
Also check out the memoir of Geoffrey Wellum, another ace of the BoB.
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- C Beard
- 02-05-23
The Luck of the Irish.
Talk about luck never was a man so close to death and lives.
Excellent
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- Jon
- 12-07-21
Great listen
What a generation. The bravest of the brave and always so modest. Just a brilliant story and true!
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- Tecstel
- 03-01-22
Sobering story of war in the air.
What a lot for a young man to experience.
The story does not pull punches , when explaining the loss of fellow pilots and it's waste of brave young men. We owe them our liberty.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jen
- 19-04-20
One of the best
beautifully written and a great choice of narrator.
so many book spoiled by the wrong narrator. this os not the case, a perfect match.
this os up there with tge veey best war/pilot bios. a rare gem that has you there with them and gets across the feelings and mood of the time.
if you enjoy war bios then this is a must, up there with Beaumont, Cloisterman, Wellum, etc.
Reccommend.
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- Danny Haas
- 06-01-23
Great Story and Story teller Amazing!
Lovely inside in the thoughts of a young Ace!!
Wish there was another to see what happened to Tim in the rest of his life!
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- Roger Home Forver.
- 01-06-21
superb
The best memorial to an amazing officer, gentleman and Irish warrior.
I would go further and suggest this could be adapted as a screenplay to an amazing series along the lines of "peice of cake".
regardless, I do hope the book and audio version reach a wide audience.
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- THUNDERCHIEF
- 03-06-23
An amazing account by a seriously tough and brave man.
This book is an excellent story of a very tough and very brave character who fought in the air in WW2, The sort of book that makes me take a good look at myself. Remarkable twists of fate here as well. In a sense, luck was certainly on his side. Thoroughly recommended.
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