A BICESTER mother whose career with the American military spanned almost four decades has been awarded the Imperial Service Medal.

For most of her 37 years’ service, Audrey Flowers worked at RAF Upper Heyford.

She was stationed at the base during the Cold War, Falklands invasion and Desert Storm.

She later transferred to RAF Croughton, in Northamptonshire, and when she retired in April, more than 100 colleagues gave her a standing ovation.

Last Thursday, she was recalled to the base to be presented with the medal, which must be approved by the Queen.

Fifty former colleagues gathered to watch RAF commander, Squadron leader Annie Gibson-Sexton, pin the medal on Ms Flowers’ lapel.

Ms Flowers’ career at the Upper Heyford base began the day after her son Adrian started primary school in Charlton, near Banbury, in 1972.

Her first post was in the finance department and 17 years later she transferred to the base hospital as chief cashier.

Ms Flowers, of Blenheim Drive, Bicester, said she had fond memories of her time there, as well as some tinged with sadness.

At the height of international hostilities during the Cold War, she said: “Trying to get to work was a nightmare. Roads were completely blocked and troops were everywhere. There was massive security.”

But one of the most harrowing days for her was when two pilots died when their F111 fighter jet came down at the end of the runway in September 1992. The men, Captain Jerry Lindh, 28, and Major David McGuire, 37, could have ejected from the plane, but it would have crashed into the nearby village of Upper Heyford.

She said: “I was there then and I knew both of the troops.

“I heard the bang. It was absolutely unbelievable.

“I had to look after their personal possessions because we had a safe at the hospital.”

During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, she visited injured troops who had been flown back to the 100-bed hospital at the base.

She said: “I used to take them books and sweets and talk to them.

“There was one lad I remember, a marine who was 18 and badly injured. He was very nervous and I found out he liked music, so I got him some music magazines.”

At its peak, more than 8,000 American troops were stationed at the base.

She said: “It was a wonderful place to work — there was such camaraderie.

“My job was very hectic. I started at 8am and some evenings would have to call my babysitter and let her know I was late and could be there until 7pm.

“It broke my heart when Upper Heyford closed. It really was my career and life then.”

l Ms Flowers was the fourth person at Croughton to receive the Imperial Service Medal.