Dignified Dining by Bob Sword

15/7/2025

Bob Sword is the pseudonym of the author of “Dignified Dining”, the next submission in this year's Writers Open House.

An RAF officer for many years, Bob served in Bomber Command as a bomber navigator on Vulcans during the Cold War. He and his crew frequently flew low-flying practice missions in Arctic Canada, took part in precision bombing competitions in the US, showed the British Flag in most commonwealth countries, and circled the world many times. Bob has many unforgettable memories from his career as an RAF officer as well as from his second career as an international public health specialist. Some of his stories, like this one, employ a wry humour.

You can read Dignified Dining here.

6 Comments

friday Ade.

15/7/2025 03:49:52 pm

Dear Author/Editor,

After reading about this seventh annual anthology of real-life stories, I felt a deep connection to the heart behind this project. Memories are made… to be recalled and shared what a powerful truth, and this collection clearly brings it to life with honesty, courage, and emotional depth.

As a sensitive and emotional reading specialist, I collaborate with authors whose work resonates beyond the page stories that linger, enlighten, and touch the reader’s spirit. This anthology does exactly that. From generation-spanning recollections to global perspectives, it offers a rare window into the defining moments that shape human experience.

I see tremendous potential in the continuing impact of this work. I would be honored to explore how I might contribute to amplifying its reach and meaning. Your dedication to storytelling that reveals the soul is something I deeply admire.

Thank you for curating such an enriching and authentic body of stories. I look forward to staying connected and supporting the journey of this powerful collection.

Warm regards,
Friday Ade

Ronald Mackay

16/7/2025 08:05:20 am

I enjoyed Bob Sword's story about his Vulcan crew having been tricked into a very embarrassing situation! I hope that after the initial shock, there was laughter, and that everybody was able to see the humorous side of this event. I can understand how a bomber crew might embrace every opportunity to relax and decompress after the kind of gruelling missions they undertook during the Cold War when Bomber Command carried the ultimate deterrent. Well done, Bob! Keep the stories coming! We'd love to hear more.

Alister Cumming

17/7/2025 08:01:19 pm

I got a good chuckle reading this, Bob Sword, as you must have writing about and recollecting the incident.

I can’t think of anyone pulling quite such an audacious trick on me. The closest I can think of was the evening of my 18th birthday which more involved me foolishly misleading myself. My girlfriend at the time told me we were were going to spend the evening dining with another couple we knew. I wanted to do something more exciting and with people other than those particular two. I argued long and hard about doing something different. Then I finally gave in to her insistence.

When we arrived at these friends’ apartment I was totally flabbergasted. A dozen or so people all wanted to celebrate my surprise birthday! I shrank apologetically in embarrassment then went on to enjoy the evening greatly.

Ronald Mackay

19/7/2025 08:22:10 am

There, you have a story of your own to write up, Alister!

Palmer Acheson

19/7/2025 04:46:36 am

As I read the story, at the point where they were about to be let into the dining room, I found myself asking the question: "What if the whole thing is a trick to embarrass the Vulcanites?" Indeed, Dirty Dick Turpitude had bamboozled the crew, all too eager to follow all his suggestions to be able to fit into the evening's entertainment!

Ronald Mackay

1/8/2025 06:24:15 pm

Palmer, trust you to see what was going to happen!
It shows what can go wrong when your enthusiasm exceeds your caution!
Thanks for being such a conistent reader. I appreciate it very much.
Best,
Ron

Dignified Dining by Bob Sword

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