On 3rd September the North Transept of the Cathedral, adjacent to the Airmen's Chapel, was filled with distinguished guests and friends for the launch of 'Battle Order 204', the world-wide royalties of which Christobel has generously donated to the Association of Friends.
After a welcome by the Dean, Lady Willoughby paid tribute to all the men of Bomber Command and to the men who left their home in Australia during World War ll and introduced H.E. Richard Alston the High Commissioner of Australia who officially launched the book.
After the launch David and Christobel signed copies of the book and met with friends who had gathered from many parts of the world for this special day.
(Christobel Mattingley signing a book for the secretary’s
grandson)
The book has met with great demand and recent reviews include:
"This is the story of an ordinary young Australian whose ambition to fly took him halfway round the globe during WW ll and the fateful mission when his plane was hit three times."
"Battle Order 204 is about the quality of courage. Christobel Mattingley has written a book with compassion and insight - its presentation is gripping and moving."
"Brilliant! At once uplifting yet thought provoking, enlightening yet, of necessity. There is a commendable blend of hard fact and human emotion elements, and I found it impossible to put down."
"The riveting true account of a young WW II pilot’s heroic journey illustrated throughout with fascinating photographs, maps and excerpts from his log books."