Norwich: Denis Elliot book on going from orphan to RAF pilot

Philip, 28, became best friends with Denis when he was just a boy and through getting to know him, he knew his story had to be shared. 

Born in Croydon in July 1924, Denis recalled an awful childhood as - until 2021 - he believed he was an orphan. 

This 1936 photo shows the three foster boys then living in the same household. Left to right: Denis, Billy, and Tom. (Image: Submitted)

Denis went in to an orphanage in South London aged three and remembers it as being run "like an army regiment".

At age seven he went to live with foster parents – but little did he know that things were going to get worse. 

Philip explained “His first foster father was an abusive man, he had a drinking problem and used to beat Denis. 

“It was really quite emotional watching Denis, then aged 93, sobbing in his chair as he told me this. The trauma never left him.”

Plagued with little confidence throughout his childhood because of the poor treatment he was subjected to, that all changed quickly. 

Philip continued: “The second world war changed his life. 

In this 1936 photo of Denis, Peter, the pet cat, sits on the saddle of his bicycle. Tom, another foster child then living in the household with Denis, is in the background. Three years older than Denis, Tom had taught Denis how to ride a bicycle (Image: Submitted)

“He went into the RAF, underwent training, passed exams, made new friends and learned new things.

"He looked forward to what the future held for the first time in his life.” 

In December 1942, Denis boarded the troopship SS Rangitiki to South Africa. His destination was Zimbabwe, where he underwent pilot training – during which he was almost killed. 

He carried on though and earned his wings around six months later in December 1943, when he was posted to Palestine and formed his crew at age 19. 

During Denis's tour of operations, he and his crew flew out of India on bombing and mine-laying operations in Burma, Malaya and Thailand, including three at the Malayan port of Penang.  

Denis, left, and his mate from ATC days, Cyril Goldsack, in 1942, after they had joined the RAF. They both trained as pilots in Southern Rhodesia, but not together. The white flashes on their caps indicate that they were air force trainees. (Image: Submitted)

The first operation to mine Penang harbour was, at the time, the longest RAF bombing or mining run in history in terms of time airborne - and was repeated two further times. 

Philip said: “He was very proud of the Penang operations, especially as he was one of only six men that flew on all three of them.” 

Later, in 1946, Denis was posted to RAF Swannington in Norfolk – while he was stationed there, he bought his first car and insured it in Norwich.  

He even remembered buying his L plates from Woolworths and quickly falling in love with the city. 

Denis as an RAF officer in a formal post-war portrait. His specific rank is unknown, as is the date of the photo, but he became a commissioned officer on the 24th of March 1952. (Image: Submitted)

After a couple more RAF posts, Denis returned to civilian life, and, in 1979, moved to the fine city with his wife.  

They lived in Waterloo Road in NR3 until Denis retired in 1984, when they moved to Dereham. 

Denis almost died in 2018 following an illness and it was then that Philip knew he had to write his story down. 

He said: “I visited him every single day while he was in hospital. 

“It was then that I realised how many stories were almost lost, so I knew I had to spring into action. 

Denis (front row, second from the right) as a flying officer during his time at the School of Maritime Reconnaissance at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall, UK, between the 15th of May 1952 and the 3rd of April 1955. Behind the men is an Avro Lancaster. (Image: Submitted)

“The transformation from the little orphan boy who was scared, to a pilot who could take control under enemy fire is an incredible story. 

“I thought about it for a long time because I knew I only had one shot to convince Denis to let me help him record his life story. I thought he would say no. But he said yes. 

"I wasn’t sure to what extent he would talk, but he put his heart and soul into that book. When we began, he was 93 – it really is a book of truth.” 

On the 20th of February 2020 Denis was honored to meet young Air Cadets of 356 (Felixtowe) Squadron, Air Training Corps and their adult leader. Denis is seen donning his RAF medals, all earned in service to his country. (Image: Submitted)

Denis died in September 2021. Now his friend Philip wants to ensure as many people as possible learn about the incredible story. 

He added: “I am glad that Denis was around to see the book published and witness the first wave of sales – it's his legacy.” 

From Orphan to High-Flyer was first published in June 2021 and Philip is hoping some city bookshops will stock the pair's book. For now, the book is available online at fromorphantohighflyer.com. 

Philip Martin and Denis Elliot with their completed copy of 'from Orphan to Highflyer' (Image: Philip Martin)