This Is Your Life: Ivor Broom

Ivor Broom (1920-2003)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ivor Broom, Royal Air Force commander, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of Michael Graydon - outside St Clement Danes Church, on London's Fleet Street, following a service commemorating the 77th anniversary of the formation of the RAF.

Ivor, who was born in Cardiff, began his working life in the civil service before joining the RAF in May 1940. As a bomber pilot during the Second World War, he completed over 100 missions and received the DSO, three DFCs and an AFC. After the war, he was commanding officer of several squadrons and held various posts, including commandant of the Central Flying School.

In the 1970s, he was, for three years, in charge of the UK's air defence group, and later the National Air Traffic Services and became the first serving officer to become a member of the board of the Civil Aviation Authority. Having retired from the RAF as Air Marshal in 1977, he remained actively engaged in civil aviation.

"Oh no! I don't believe it! I don't believe it! You rascals, this is incredible!"

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