Today, schools and bookshops across the country will be celebrating Roald Dahl Day. Although famous for his much-loved children’s literature, the author also served as an RAF Pilot during the Second Wold War. In November 1939, the 23-year-old Dahl travelled to Nairobi to enlist in the RAF flying Tiger Moths alongside 15 other young men. At well over 6ft tall, Roald was worried that his height would get in the way of his becoming a pilot. It’s fair to say that, alongside writing, flying was Dahl’s passion; he described it to his mother as “marvellous fun”.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 13, 2017 09:56 UTC