WW2 veteran visits The Bunker police museum in Hatfield

Retired Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, who flew Mosquitos during the war, was given a special tour of The Bunker museum at Hatfield Police Station earlier this month.

The Bunker, situated in the station's basement, celebrates the Grade II listed building's heritage as a former aircraft factory.

During its time as an aircraft factory, the police station building famously made the Mosquito planes flown by Colin and his fellow pilots. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary) During its time as an aircraft factory, the police station building famously made the Mosquito planes flown by Colin and his fellow pilots.

The Bunker was subsequently created as a public engagement initiative to foster better relations between the police and the local community, particularly schoolchildren.

Colin was shown around The Bunker by PCSO Anne Devine and police support volunteer Alistair Hodgson.

Colin was shown around The Bunker by PCSO Anne Devine and police support volunteer Alistair Hodgson. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary) The pair regularly host visits for the community, helping them to learn more about their local police.

To mark the special visit, the trio were also joined by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster, for one of the final engagements of her term.

Colin was shown the various rooms inside The Bunker; the air raid shelter, the art deco room, the history room, and the police room.

To mark the special visit, the trio were also joined by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster, for one of the final engagements of her term. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary) Police support volunteer Alistair said: "Colin is a remarkable individual and it was a privilege to have him visit our museum.

"We are regularly hosting events at The Bunker to meet the community and give them the chance to share their views on local police matters.

"We explain to them the history of our building, including the war effort, so it was very surreal to be joined in The Bunker by an actual World War Two Mosquito pilot.

"It is certainly a visit we won’t forget."

Colin himself added: "During World War Two, I carried out 50 bombing operations over Germany, 13 of them over Berlin at a time when Berlin was a boiling cauldron of anti-aircraft defences - lethal anti-aircraft guns and 'wild boar' Luftwaffe night fighters stacked high in the night sky to attack you - it was hell.

"But one of the factors that enabled me to survive was undoubtedly the extraordinary flying characteristics of the Mosquito."