From Airman to Attorney General: RAF Navigator Johnny Smythe

<p>Beginning with his birth in 1915 in Sierra Leone, the life of John Henry Smythe OBE MBE is almost unbelievable. From becoming a navigator in the RAF during the Second World War, to being held captive in a German POW camp, to being the Senior Officer making key decisions about the futures of the people aboard HMT Empire Windrush and becoming Attorney General for Sierra Leone; the twists and turns in this story are incredible. James from our sibling podcast <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-world-wars/view" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Warfare</em></a> was joined by John’s son, Eddy, and the BBC’s Tim Stokes to hear this account of life during and after the Second World War, in which we even get a glimpse of JFK.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Listen out for Eddy’s song, written in memory of his father, at the end of the episode. You can find the music video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIarzhxtGsU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Tim’s article can be found <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55286092" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>