Jessica Ingle-Wood, 35, from Rayleigh in Essex, has turned her cancer survival into a mission to preserve aviation history. After completing treatment two years ago, she created a bucket list with the top goal of riding in a historic Avro Lancaster bomber at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby. That experience inspired her debut novel, 'Just Jane,' a wartime love story whose royalties will go entirely to the heritage centre.
From Bucket List to Book
Ingle-Wood described the moment the Lancaster's engines started: "The sound. The vibration. The smell of oil and metal. And then the thought that hits you all at once – the young men who sat in those same seats during the war." She said the idea for the novel was born "somewhere between the noise of the Merlin’s and the history hanging in the air at East Kirkby."
A Love Letter to Bomber Command
The novel follows a wartime operations room worker and a Lancaster pilot flying dangerous missions over Europe. Ingle-Wood called it "a love letter to the aircraft and the brave crews who flew them." She added, "I felt that the men and women of Bomber Command have not always received the recognition they deserve. Through 'Just Jane,' I wanted to honour their courage, sacrifice and resilience."
Fundraising for History
All proceeds from the book will help maintain the historic Lancaster at East Kirkby. The book launches on Thursday, July 9, and is available from major retailers including Amazon and Waterstones. Ingle-Wood hopes to keep the memories of Bomber Command alive for future generations.
