Life's Too Short to Cry cover art

Life's Too Short to Cry

The Compelling Story of a Battle of Britain Ace

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Life's Too Short to Cry

By: Tim Vigors
Narrated by: Roger Davis
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About this listen

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.

©2008 Tim and Diana Vigors (P)2018 Grub Street Ltd Air Forces Armed Forces Europe Great Britain Military Military & War World War II War England

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All stars
Most relevant  
I've read many wartime accounts but this is the best yet. This man truly had the luck of the Irish

Enthralling life, wonderfully described

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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!

Very compeling and entertaining account of how lucky survivors of WWII really were.

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Talk about luck never was a man so close to death and lives.
Excellent

The Luck of the Irish.

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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.

Absolutely fantastic

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What a generation. The bravest of the brave and always so modest. Just a brilliant story and true!

Great listen

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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.

Sobering story of war in the air.

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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.

One of the best

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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!

Great Story and Story teller Amazing!

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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.

superb

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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.

An amazing account by a seriously tough and brave man.

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