Prince William has struck up a friendship with the last British survivor of the Great Escape.
Ken Rees, 90, secured his place in history when he helped build the tunnel in Stalag Luft III, through which 76 Allied airmen briefly escaped.
The family of Ken, of Rhosneigr in north Wales, heard that RAF pilot Wills, the future King, is based at nearby RAF Valley and so wrote to him asking if he would visit Ken.
William, who will also become Prince of Wales when his father Charles becomes King, jumped at the chance immediately. The Prince is a fan of military history and listened rapturously to Ken's wartime tales.
In the 1963 movie Great Escape, the character of Virgil Hilts, played by Steve McQueen, is based on Ken. But Hollywood, of course, changed history in America's favour (not for the first time) by having Hilts be an American.
Wills pals with Great Escape hero
Royal visit ... hero Ken chats with fascinated Wills about his legendary RAF exploits
By JAMES CLENCH, Royal Reporter
Published: 04 Sep 2010
The Sun
PRINCE William has struck up a friendship with the last British survivor of The Great Escape.
Military history fan Wills, 28, leapt at the chance to meet 90-year-old former bomber pilot Ken Rees.
Nazis' hell camp ... Stalag Luft III
Ken's exploits were the basis for Hollywood legend Steve McQueen's character Virgil Hilts in the classic 1963 film.
Wartime service ... Ken
A source close to RAF pilot Wills said: "He has always admired heroes like Ken who have great tales of derring-do.
"He's watched The Great Escape and knows the story inside out so was keen to hear some of those amazing details from a man with first-hand experience.
"He found listening to Ken absolutely fascinating and afterwards said he felt privileged to have met him."
Ken, then a Flight Lieutenant, was captured by the Germans after his bomber was shot down on a mission over Norway.
He secured his place in history when he helped build the tunnel in PoW hell camp Stalag Luft III, through which 76 Allied airmen briefly escaped.
The daring getaway became the basis for The Great Escape.
Ken met Wills at his home in Rhosneigr, North Wales.
His family heard the Prince was based at nearby RAF Valley and wrote to ask if he would visit. William turned up days later. A pal of Ken revealed: "He was over the Moon about William's visit.
"He was incredibly chuffed the Prince had taken the time out to see him."
thesun.co.uk
Ken Rees, 90, secured his place in history when he helped build the tunnel in Stalag Luft III, through which 76 Allied airmen briefly escaped.
The family of Ken, of Rhosneigr in north Wales, heard that RAF pilot Wills, the future King, is based at nearby RAF Valley and so wrote to him asking if he would visit Ken.
William, who will also become Prince of Wales when his father Charles becomes King, jumped at the chance immediately. The Prince is a fan of military history and listened rapturously to Ken's wartime tales.
In the 1963 movie Great Escape, the character of Virgil Hilts, played by Steve McQueen, is based on Ken. But Hollywood, of course, changed history in America's favour (not for the first time) by having Hilts be an American.
Wills pals with Great Escape hero
Royal visit ... hero Ken chats with fascinated Wills about his legendary RAF exploits
By JAMES CLENCH, Royal Reporter
Published: 04 Sep 2010
The Sun
PRINCE William has struck up a friendship with the last British survivor of The Great Escape.
Military history fan Wills, 28, leapt at the chance to meet 90-year-old former bomber pilot Ken Rees.
Nazis' hell camp ... Stalag Luft III
Ken's exploits were the basis for Hollywood legend Steve McQueen's character Virgil Hilts in the classic 1963 film.
Wartime service ... Ken
A source close to RAF pilot Wills said: "He has always admired heroes like Ken who have great tales of derring-do.
"He's watched The Great Escape and knows the story inside out so was keen to hear some of those amazing details from a man with first-hand experience.
"He found listening to Ken absolutely fascinating and afterwards said he felt privileged to have met him."
Ken, then a Flight Lieutenant, was captured by the Germans after his bomber was shot down on a mission over Norway.
He secured his place in history when he helped build the tunnel in PoW hell camp Stalag Luft III, through which 76 Allied airmen briefly escaped.
The daring getaway became the basis for The Great Escape.
Ken met Wills at his home in Rhosneigr, North Wales.
His family heard the Prince was based at nearby RAF Valley and wrote to ask if he would visit. William turned up days later. A pal of Ken revealed: "He was over the Moon about William's visit.
"He was incredibly chuffed the Prince had taken the time out to see him."
thesun.co.uk
