In some ways, Alfie Fripp's war ended when he was shot down on a reconaissance sortie over Germany in October 1939. In many others, it was only just beginning. Squadron Leader Alfie Fripp (RAF Retd) was the oldest surviving and longest-serving British prisoner of war (POW) until his death in 2013 - the last of the so-called '39-ers0. Held in a succession of Nazi POW camps during World War II he was a prominent figure and as Red Cross representative, and always a welcome sight. Held in the infamous Stalag Luft III in Sagan, his own skipper - Mike Casey - was shot as one of the '50' who took part in the real Great Escape. But Alfie's story begins well before the outbreak of the Second World War. One of Trenchard's 'Brats', Alfie trained as a wireless operator before spending more than five years in various flying boat squadrons in the Far East. He was again one of the last survivors from the days of the mighty Southampton, Scapa and Singapore flying boats that ruled both the skies and the waves, and helped ensure the safety of the Empire. Told to Sean Feast with striking honesty and simplicity, written with pace and insight, Alfie's story has been brought alive. Accompanied by a superb collection of photographs, this long-overdue account is an excellent chance to discover the story of one of these legendary men.