shocked at the devastation brought by the Blitz but their
home Durham Cottage was untouched by the bombing.
Shortly thereafter it was found that Olivier had slight
nerve damage in one ear and was rejected by the RAF
but accepted by the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm and told
to report in May 1941. At 34 Olivier was overage for
operational combat flying and was posted to the only
suitable vacancy available a training squadron equipped
with prewar obsolete biplanes training airgunners,
for orientation flights. Adding to
his gloomy prospects were a few
smashups destroying at least two Fleet Air Arm aircraft on the ground.
