From Mr Philip Skelsey
Sir: I heard the 'voice of calm reason' that Philip Hensher describes (Books, 10 May) when Orwell gave a talk in 1942. When he started, he asked us to close our eyes for a minute or so, think back to the period before war started, and consider what was the biggest change we had seen since then.
He must have canvassed our views — I remember nothing about that — but I do remember what he himself said. He was living not far from Lord's cricket ground and saw those who wanted to be pilots in the RAF reporting for duty there. They came from all classes, and he realised that men who might ultimately take the controls of fighters and bombers and command formations of aircraft would not all be drawn from the upper classes of society. They could include anyone with the necessary qualities — whoever he was. This removal of class barriers to promotion would spread and not stop when the war ended. This was the most important change in Britain since September 1939.
I remember nothing else of what Orwell said, only his appearance — gaunt, hollowcheeked, just as he appeared in photographs — and his manner: analytical, gently detached but not condescending. Philip Skelsey London NW8
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