War hero does his bit for hospice

Jun 6 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

A WORLD War II gunner who wrote a book about how he survived a crash landing in France is supporting the hospice who helped him cope with another great battle, the death of his only son.

Former airman Ron Needle, aged 81, who is now a great-grandfather, lost his son Renny four years ago when he died of cancer at St Mary's Hospice in Selly Park.

Now he wants to repay hospice staff for all they did by selling his book during the hospice's summer fete on Saturday.

"We are eternally grateful for all the hospice did for Renny, so this is my small way of trying to repay them," said Ron, of Spiceland Road, Northfield, who has two grown-up daughters.

In his book, Saved By the Bell, which he published earlier this year, Ladywood-born Ron tells of how his Lancaster Bomber fell from the skies in January 1945, landing in a frozen French forest.

He crawled towards the sound of church bells in the distance and was eventually rescued ten hours later.

Frostbite had set in, causing his lower right leg to be amputated, but Ron made his way home to his sweetheart Sylvia, who he later married. Ron started writing about his wartime experiences 20 years ago after he returned to France and met the bell ringer who helped to save his life.

St Mary's Hospice fete will be held in Raddlebarn Road, between 11am and 2.30pm, on Saturday.