Victor's life

He was given the name Victor after victory over the Germans when the war ended on that date.

I got to know him due to the fact his parents lived next to me at my present address.

To refresh my memory to part of his life, I spoke to Victor’s wife.

He was in the RAF more or less when the Second World War started.

He was a pilot and was shot down by a German plane, probably in 1941/42.

He remained a prisoner until hostilities ended in 1945.

He was in rather poor health and was sent to America to recover.

While in California he enrolled in the university there, eventually coming back home.

Victor then went to Cambridge University to take a degree.

After that he got employment with the United Nations, The Food and Agricultural Organisation.

He was based in Rome until he retired.

His UK home was in Cambridge , and Victor died there in 2004.

I believe his work was to visit Third World countries and show the farmers how to use fertilisers and tractors, instead of horses and the like.

The wherewithall to make the changeover was supplied by the United Nations.

Victor told me it was extremely difficult to get them to change from the old methods.

I trust this gives you a small insight into Victor Bruce’s life.

A very nice man.

G Hall,

Broomhill Gardens,

Hartlepool.