The remarkable feats of a Stirling war hero were unearthed at a recent celebration attended by Stirling Provost, Christine Simpson.
The Council’s Civic head was left in awe after hearing the incredible life stories of David Berrie (96), when she met the former RAF wireless operator and his wife Margaret (95) as they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.
Provost Simpson regularly helps local residents celebrate landmark events such as birthdays or anniversaries, by paying a visit as an official representative of the Council.
Her recent visit with David and Margaret left a particular mark, however, when the former revealed he’d been shot down over Germany during active service in 1944 and managed to survive being hunted by the enemy, captured and placed in a Prisoner of War Camp.
The Provost said: “David’s story is incredible. It’s such a privilege for me to meet people like him and his wife who’ve lived such fantastic, full and incredible lives.
“They are a real symbol of the character of people who live in Stirling and it was a pleasure to spend time in their company.”
David’s daughter Elizabeth, who was also in attendance to meet the Provost, explained that her parents were only married a matter of months before her father found himself trapped behind enemy lines.
“My parents married on the 18th of February 1944,” she said. “My father was in the RAF in Bomber Command and in July 1944 he was shot down over the Black Forest.
“After a week on the run and meeting up with his pilot he was caught by the Germans.
“He was interrogated and put in a prisoner of war camp where he stayed until liberated by the Russians in May 1945. They were then marched in sub-zero temperatures (-26) before being released.
“He didn't get home until August that year.
“After the war my Father went back to working in Cambusbarron quarry, then the telephone exchange and finally with Social Security, both in Stirling and Glasgow.
“My mother worked at Stirling Tractors, Govan dental practice and the tax office before Stirling Council.”
Elizabeth added, on behalf of her parents, that they were thrilled to have the Provost visit to help celebrate their incredible 75th year of marriage together.
The happy couple have three children, David, Rory and Elizabeth. David jnr died two years ago and they also have seven grandchildren, two step grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.