Unfurled Wings

As a teenager, Lisa is disgruntled by the constraints of home life. She sees joining the Women's Royal Air Force as the only way to realise her dreams of travel and adventure. Lisa, enjoying life at her first posting at RAF Upavon on Salisbury Plain, meets John from Northern Ireland, with whom she falls in love and marries after a whirlwind romance. Lisa is quickly faced with the impact of The Troubles, the birth of Michael and the regime of postings. Shortly after the birth of her second son, James, John leaves for a five-month detachment to the Falkland Islands leaving Lisa to cope with a three-year-old, a new baby, no car, no telephone and living miles away from any family support. The emotional turmoil of Lisa and John being separated for months on end, communicating their love for each other through letters, both shapes and strengthens their relationship. On an overseas posting, living in The Netherlands and working in Germany they are at last able to enjoy travel and adventure. However, The Troubles are never far away with an IRA terrorist cell active nearby. Despite the risks, Lisa, John and the boys are determined to live life to the full. Returning to the UK, John is sent to the Falkland Islands for a second detachment leaving Lisa to again cope with two young boys. After 22 years' service, John leaves the RAF and both he and Lisa settle into civilian life and work. Michael emigrates to Australia, but James follows in the footsteps of his parents and joins the military. Serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he undertakes two tours in Afghanistan and eventually settles in Wiltshire. Choosing to move closer to James and his family, Lisa and John find themselves living in Wiltshire, back where their own journey together began.