Former Victoria resident, Sir John Curtiss, twice knighted for his distinguished military service, flew over 260 missions into a blockaded city during the Berlin Airlift, masterminded British air operations in the Falklands War, and became the first navigator in RAF history to reach the rank of Air Marshal.

One of the most respected senior officers of his generation, his remarkable career spanned more than four decades and shaped key moments in modern British military history.

Sir John Curtiss was twice knighted for his distinguished military service (Credit: Peter Curtiss)

Now, more than a decade after his death, his voice and story are being shared once again in a powerful new podcast series, and, for the first time, his son Peter Curtiss, who lives in Teddington, speaks publicly about the father, leader and man behind the uniform.

"I want people to know who my father really was", Peter, who has lived in Teddington for 30 years, said.

"He didn't just serve, he shaped history. He flew hundreds of missions into a starving city during the Cold War's most dangerous standoff. And when the Falklands happened, they turned to him again."

He added: "He [Sir John] had this huge laugh, always cheerful, and rarely angry. His friends called him 'Laughing John'. But when it came to duty, he was serious. The Airlift meant everything to him. He believed without it, Berlin, and Europe, would have fallen to the Soviets."

Sir John's original words and reflections feature in The Veterans' Voice: Berlin Airlift, a new podcast from military charity Legasee Educational Trust, based on veteran interviews recorded in 2013.

The series brings listeners into the cockpit with aircrew who risked their lives flying into Soviet-blockaded Berlin in 1948 - 49, an operation Sir John called "the moral victory of the century."

In an exclusive interview with Teddington Nub News, Peter explained that the reason why he has chosen to speak out now is because he wants to "help Legasee and get the podcast some good coverage".

He added that he also chose to speak out now because his father "felt that despite it being a crucial victory, keeping the Soviets from their deliberate intent to try and push out the Western allies from Berlin was the victory that Britain forgot".

"But I know the people of Berlin never forgot it," he said.

"It was quite interesting because in 1999, they hosted 1500 veterans and families who were involved in the Berlin Airlift, both from the from Great Britain and from the US and Canada and invited them to Berlin and hosted them for three or four days."

Sir John Curtiss was involved in the Berlin Airlift (Credit: Peter Curtiss)

Peter offers a rare insight into the private man behind the public accolades, saying: "He never bragged. Like many of that generation, he just got on with it. But it's vital his story is remembered, because he helped shape events we still live with today."

Speaking about his growing up with a father in the RAF, he told Teddington Nub News: "He was just Dad.

"Our life was very transient. We'd spend between one and three years at any particular house, and then he'd get posted to another RAF station and we, or my mother anyway, would pack up everything and we'd move.

"But he was certainly a junior officer when he participated in the airlift and flew over 260 missions in and out of Berlin. But that was not an aspect of his life that he would talk about. He didn't really talk about the war or much else like that."

In 1942, at just 17, Sir John travelled alone from New Zealand to Britain to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a journey he documented in a vivid 70-page handwritten diary, now a treasured family record.

The Berlin Airlift was a response to the Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin in 1948, which cut off all land and water access to the city in an attempt to force the Allies to surrender control.

In one of the largest humanitarian and logistical efforts of the Cold War, Allied forces flew thousands of missions to deliver vital supplies and keep West Berlin alive without escalating into open conflict.

Initially training as a pilot, he was later selected for navigation, eventually becoming the first RAF navigator to reach Air Marshal rank.

During WWII, he flew 28 missions over occupied Europe with Bomber Command.

After the war, Sir John was redirected from a planned posting in Singapore to join the Berlin Airlift. Over 11 months, he completed 263 return flights to Gatow airfield, delivering coal, food, and medicine to a starving city under Soviet siege.

"He never forgot it, and was immensely proud," Peter explained.

"He believed it was one of Britain's finest moments, saving a city without firing a shot. He kept every speech and article about it, even wrote one titled 'The Victory That Britain Forgot.' He was furious when the Post Office refused to issue a commemorative stamp. He thought the nation owed it more recognition."

Sir John Curtiss died in 2013 (Credit: Peter Curtiss)

Between June 1948 and May 1949, Allied aircraft flew over 277,000 missions during the Airlift under gruelling conditions.

The mission was widely regarded as vital in preventing further conflict and ultimately stopping a war.

In later decades, Sir John served in senior roles including station commander at RAF Bruggen, Commandant of RAF Staff College, and Air Officer Commanding No. 18 Group, where he oversaw maritime air operations.

His leadership during the 1982 Falklands War, coordinating British air assets including Vulcan bomber raids from Ascension Island, earned him his first knighthood. He later received a second knighthood, one of few officers awarded both the KBE and KCB.

Sir John retired in 1983 but remained engaged in defence and aviation. He actively participated in the British Berlin Airlift Association, attending commemorations into his 80s.

Retirement also saw Sir John relocate from Westminster to Hampshire, where he died in 2013 surrounded by family. He left four children and 11 grandchildren.

Speaking about his father, Peter said: "He adored his family, every one of us. He was devoted, warm, and had a huge laugh that lit up a room.

"But he was quietly proud of what he'd done. He never bragged. He always knew how important the Airlift was for Berlin and Europe. Without it, he said, the Soviets would have taken the city.

"He kept speeches, clippings, photos, a whole box file, determined to keep the story alive, even if he didn't talk much about himself."

The Veterans' Voice: Berlin Airlift podcast, produced by Legasee Educational Trust, preserves voices like Sir John's for future generations.

By repurposing filmed interviews recorded shortly before his death, the series offers a firsthand glimpse into this critical moment in history.

Having listened to the podcast, Peter said: "The audio recordings are wonderful things, and it's really important to be able to hear the voices of the people who actually participated in these events.

"And Legasee covers so many different aspects of global conflict in the past. And, you know, it's pretty cool from my perspective that the Airlift is one of those things.

Martin Bisiker, Founder of Legasee Educational Trust and podcast Executive Producer, said, "Sir John Curtiss was one of the RAF's most decorated and respected figures, a key player in shaping history.

"His role in the Berlin Airlift and Falklands War reminds us of how courage, strategy, and resolve preserve peace.

"We're honoured to share his voice and now grateful to Peter for openly sharing his father's legacy.

"At a time when tensions in Europe echo the past, these stories are more important than ever. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, we're able to keep these memories alive."

Sir John had four children and 11 grandchildren (Credit: Peter Curtiss)

You can listen to The Veterans' Voice: Berlin Airlift podcast on all major podcast platforms and here.

The series is accompanied by a digital archive of filmed interviews, available through Legasee Educational Trust's website.

Sir John has a memorial plaque in Bushy Park, which was inaugurated by the then Prince of Wales and current King Charles to mark the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Berlin Airlift, which Peter encourages locals to check out.

Speaking about living in Teddington, Peter told Nub News: "It's definitely home. I brought up my second family here. My three kids think of Teddington as their home.

"I love the place. It's got the best of both worlds – the river, the parks, the nice town, and good people.