Obituaries,
Deaths and Funerals
5/4/21
I have just learned that former dog handler Michael Eyles (80)
passed away last week. My condolences go out to the family for
their loss and may Michael rest in peace.
4/4/21
I have been informed that Gordon Burge has died of pancreatic cancer. He was at one stage OC RAF Police at Conningsby.1/4/21
John Forbes
Ladies and
Gentlemen, It is with great sadness that I have to report the
passing of our friend John “Forbesy” Forbes (55yrs) peacefully
in his sleep yesterday evening. John had been suffering from
lung cancer for quite a long time though he remained upbeat
and determined to pull through throughout his intense
treatment program. Unfortunately, it was not to be and John
has now reported for his final posting to the eternal Police
Club in the sky. Rest in Peace John, a true friend, colleague
and fantastic barman. I will publish further details as they
become known from his family
Brian Main
Hi, it’s Johns sister, Helen, here, It
is with much sadness that I write to tell you that my brother
John lost his brave battle with lung cancer and died yesterday
evening. It was very quick and peaceful and I was with him.
He is no longer suffering and for that I am grateful.
John was a legend and he will leave a huge hole in the lives of
his family and friends.
A service man through and through and he will receive a military
service to send him on his way.
Details will be posted on here in due course, please remember
that due to COVID restrictions the service is for 30 people
only. We will, however, enjoy a ‘proper knees up’ to celebrate
his life at a later date.
Rest in peace ‘Forbes’. Xx
29/3/21
Sad
to report the death on 20 March 2021, of retired Sqn Ldr E J
J (Ted) Squires. Ted was born on 9 July 1922,
commissioned on 10 February 1945 and he retired on 21 March
1962. He was stationed in Hamburg in 1946 during the
first years of the RAF SIB investigation into the murders of
those aircrew by the SS and Gestapo who took part in
the "Great Escape".
Ted
always stressed he was never involved in the investigation,
but he "watered and fed", any and all investigators who
moved into or through the area around Hamburg. Ted was
delighted when he joined the SWAB, to find John Murphy MBE
and (the late) Denzil Flew, who he knew in Hamburg.
Ted's funeral will be in St Georges Church,
Modbury (Devon), under the present Covid conditions.
May Ted Rest in Peach.
John Walton.
25/3/21
I understand that Colin Birch
passed away last night. No other details at this time.
Daily Telegraph
BIGGAR.—On
March 13th, peacefully, Margaret Elizabeth Biggar, "Liz", wife
of Group Captain Gerald Biggar, RAF, deceased, most beloved
mother of Caroline and "Mutti" of Alexandra, Dominic and Isla
Elizabeth. No flowers please but donations in memory of Liz
for the NSPCC or the RAF Benevolent Fund can be made online at
www.ajbfunerals.co.uk For all funeral enquiries please contact
Tel: 01249 713134. Placed by Caroline Hewett.
Online ref: A248707
It is with great sadness that I am
writing here to tell you that John McCumiskey has passed away,
John died from cancer. John had lived with Ann at their home
in Alethrico, Larnaca. He moved there after a career in the
RAF Police and a subsequent career in the MDP.
John was a great friend to Kate and myself and will be sorely
missed by us.
RIP Mate.
Stephen Harris
16/3/21
It is with Deep, deep sadness, that I have
to inform my ex colleagues that my dear friend Steve Allen
passed away this morning at his home address in Liverpool.
Steve had been diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer almost 3 years ago and 'dealt' with the effects and
treatments ever since then, in his own inimitable way. With
courage pragmatism and hope.
His family and his faith kept him strong for
so long; but today, he passed away at home; exactly as he had
planned, with his close family and friends, at his bedside, in
the early hours.
I know Steve served at west Raynham,
Bruggen, Aldergrove, Cyprus among other places around the
globe.
If you knew Steve; he had a cheeky sense of
humour and was a genuine; lovely guy and loyal friend; right
to the end.
Rest In Peace; Your duty done.
Endex; Stand down.
You will be sadly missed.
Huge Hugs my friend and much love.
Mark Scott
I’ve just been informed of the really sad news that Stevie Allen has passed away. He had been battling cancer for some time. He was surrounded by his family at the end. I served with Stevie at Gutersloh & Aldergrove and he was a larger than life character. My thought and love are with his family. Taken too soon, Rest Easy my friend and get a round in at the BLC in the sky.
16/3/21
Had
the sad news this morning that Liz Bigger the widow of Gerry
Bigger has passed away. Liz still kept in touch and
was an Associate Member of Wilts Branch.
15/3/21
I
know its not my place but I have heard from Lee Cook via FB
that his father, Steve Cook RAFP has recently passed away. A
good friend and shift mate who retired from RAF Waddington.
RIP
Bill Hodge
12/3/21
I understand that Pete Banasik has died but I have no further details at the moment.
3/3/21
I have just
received information that Paul Benton’s cremation will be on
1st April 2021 @ 1330 hrs at Telford Crematorium .
Not sure how
many are allowed to attend . RIP Paul.
His son
Jonathan is organising it.
Neil Gardiner
This is a little delayed but the man deserves the
tribute here. Paul Benton retired Sgt C.I posted this on his
personal FB page on 28th February 2021.
"A big thank you to all of my
Laarbruch colleagues for your encouragement and good wishes
this is one battle two far I am at peace and accept that
whatever happens is meant to be ,I am the richer for having
known you all"
The feeling many of those who
knew him was that his fruitful and colourful life was near
the end, and indeed his celestial posting came through on
2nd March unfortunately.
He was at Laarbruch 74 - 77
and some of you must have worked with him at his many
postings during his RAFP career. A real gentleman, honest
and true, with a unique sense of humour very popular with
those who knew him.
Rest In Peace Paul Benton.
It is with sorrow that I have to report that
today I attended the funeral of Flt Sgt (rtd ) Paul Benton
RAFPolice at Telford crematorium. He had in attendance family
and friends and three retired RAF Police, Nigel Lacy (Standard
Bearer) David Holland and myself. He had a wicker coffin
draped with the Union Flag and last post played, no bugler
present. A quiet but dignified service. RIP
Mick McQuade
27/2/21
It is with great sadness I have learnt of the
death yesterday of Gp Capt Alec Thompson RAF Provost (Retd),
aged 95 years - RIP
Alan Hildage
1968 P&SS Support Squadron formed and comprised sixty experienced RAF Police NCOs, under the command of Squadron Leader A L C Thompson. It was formed as a task force to provide professional RAF Police assistance wherever it was needed. The squadron was fully self-supporting with all the vehicles and necessary equipment required to undertake a wide variety of tasks anywhere around the world. It was made up of personnel qualified in undertaking SI or CI work together with personnel qualified to drive heavy goods vehicles and motorcycles and technicians who looked after the communications equipment. Some of the work earmarked to be undertaken by the new squadron, included; VIP security; travel control security; convoy escorts; public order duties at anti-nuclear demonstrations and major public ceremonial events as well as responding to operational contingency plans. In the days when service personnel and defence employees in London were paid in cash, personnel from the squadron were detailed each week to protect the vehicles transporting the pay officers from Adastral House, as they delivered salaries to around sixty defence establishments in the city. Prior to the formation of the squadron the tasks had previously been carried out by uniformed provost staff employed at the former police districts.
22/2/21
I have just heard from Peter
Sommerville that George Clapperton has just passed away.
No other details I’m afraid. RIP.
16/2/21
It has been reported that
Ralph Penny of the former W Anglia branch
passed away recently.
Funeral
arrangements are made for 24/2/21 at 1300 hrs at Polebrook,
Oundle.
Anyone who may be considering attending please bear in mind Covid 19 restrictions in relation to numbers.
16/2/21
Kenneth Holt, of North Hykeham passed away
on 21st January 2021 aged 82 years. A great friend of the
community, including the Twinning Association and husband of the
late Mayor Pauline Holt, since arriving in 1978, after serving
21 years in the Royal Air Force. Much loved Partner of Marianne,
Dad to Graeme and the late Deborah and Grandad to Daniel and
Sophie. Funeral service to be private due to current
restrictions.
I was very
sorry to read about the passing of Ken Holt. I served with Ken
on P&SS(NR) in the late 70’s and I used to see him
reasonably often at RAFPA Reunions.
Ken was
genuinely one of life’s true gentlemen.
May he Rest in
Peace.
Neil Rusling
I
was saddened to learn that Ken Holt had passed.
I
first met him in January 1974 at RAF Debden when we were both on
a CI Course and consequently were accommodated in the same
barrack room as the other JNCOs on the course. Ken was a
friendly person and possessed the skills of a comedian who
always managed to look on the bright side of life with good
humour, whatever challenges it threw at him.
During
the
course we all had to prepare and deliver a short talk on a
subject of our own choice to the rest of the students ,
Ted Halliwell the instructor and the Station Education
Officer, (SEdO), to prepare us to deliver security
education when back on our own units.
Ken
did little, if any, preparation for his talk and
decided to wing it. He used a course
photograph which was displayed on the screen via some
ancient device which gave it a sepia tone. It might have been
called an Episcope? He pretended these people were
WW1 pilots and talked at length, about their fictitious
exploits. One of those in the photo he used was Sgt Bernie
Rice and he introduced him as Wg Cdr Bernie who gave the Germans
rice! He continued to describe the fake Squadronss
activities and the aircraft they used as the Sopworth Camel for
desert warfare, the Sopwith Dolphin for sea warfare etc. He had
all of us in stitches except the SEdO who thought his talk was
serious and at the conclusion made some minor criticism on
the way he had delivered it.
Ken
and I served together at RAF P&SS (NR) at RAF Newton, albeit
on different sections, in the late 1970s prior to
his discharge .
After
my
discharge from the service in 1991 I moved to Lincoln and met
Ken who was then the Operations Manager for a local security
firm. He had lost none of his good humour and
friendliness. During the period 1996 - 2005 I worked at
the ASDA store in North Hykeham and Ken was a frequent shopper
as he lived locally. We always had a chat and often talked
about our service days.
Ken
was one in a million and I am proud to have worked with him and
been his friend. My deepest condolences to his
family .
Attached
is
a photo from the CI Course in Jan 1974. Ken Holt is in the
middle of the back row.
13/2/21
SAC Jon Wilkes
Jon sadly passed away at home on Fri 5 February. A Reservist
on 605 Squadron since 2016, Jon was no stranger to military
life having joined the RAF Police in 1987 and became a
qualified dog handler. He had many stories to tell about his
time including his 2 seconds of fame as an extra in the James
Bond film “The Living Daylights.” After he left the RAF he
worked for the RSPCA and Prison Service but his reconnection
to the military saw him join us as a Driver.
Jon was always reliable, providing support to a number of
Exercises and undertaking short notice tasking requests for
RAF Cosford including its Air Show. A larger than life
character, he had a very positive outlook on life and an
infectious smile. A key member of the MT cadre, his commitment
to his friends and Squadron was unwavering, right to the end.
Jon will be missed by us all very much and our thoughts and
prayers are with his wife Lisa, his children, family and
friends at this incredibly sad time.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
5/2/21
4/2/21
It
is with great sadness I inform you of the passing of North
Yorkshire Branch Member Derek Forbes at home on 2nd February
2021.
Derek served 51-56 a Veteran of the Korean War and a very
loyal member and supporter of the NYB.
Our Sincere Condolences to his wife Margaret.
Ken Turner
The
Funeral Service for Derek will take place on 4th March
11-00hrs at York Crematorium
Bishopton Rd , YO 23 2QY.
It is hoped the Branch Standard will be paraded.
31/1/21
It is with
great sadness that I inform you of the sudden passing of my
Mum, Shirley, today Sat 30th who died at home peacefully
with my Dad retired WO Peter Markwick. Very quick, no pain
with the bloke she loved all her adult life. Graham Markwick
29/1/21
Keith
Bridger represented Bexhill North at East Sussex County
Council from 1997 to 2005, during which he was Labour party
leader.
He also served as a councillor for
Rother District Council from 2003 to 2007, representing
Sidley, alongside his wife Helen, who was elected in with him.
He was also deputy mayor for
Bexhill from 2006 to 2007.
His daughter, Ruth Eldridge, paid
tribute to him.
She said: “Dad always had time for
everyone and anyone who met him instantly liked him, as he was
just an all round good guy, a real gentleman who will be
sorely missed by all his family and all who knew him.
He was a very active member of All
Saints Church, singing in the choir and participating in all
fundraising events, including the flower festival and his
legendary pantomimes.
“He was also a huge part of the
community in Sidley and always wrote and directed All Saints
Church’s pantomimes yearly, starring every year as the panto
dame.
“Dad assisted with all the groups
associated with the 1st Sidley Scout Group from Beavers to
Scouts. He would help with badges and story-telling. He used
to manage Sidley Rangers Football Club many years ago and
became a qualified referee locally. “Dad was 82 when he passed
on January 10 following a short battle with Covid-19.”
Keith served as a probation officer
for 45 years locally after leaving the RAF where he served for
13 years as an RAF police dog handler.
He served in Aden, Cyprus and Hong
Kong.
Keith’s funeral will be held on
February 11 at All Saints Church and will be live streamed on
its Facebook page.
Ruth said: “In
his memory we have set up a Gofundme page to raise money to
replace the wooden cross above the door at All Saints as he
was deeply saddened when the original rotted.”
29/1/21
It is with great sadness that l inform you of the death of the
very lovely Barbara Spencer, wife and life-time partner of Nigel
Spencer,
Barbara’s health had declined to such an extent that since 2016
it has been necessary for her to reside in Hooklands Care Home,
Bracklesham Bay but Nigel has visited Barbara daily and the
other members of their large family visited very frequently. On
17th January 2021 it became obvious that Barbara had become
infected with Covid and on the afternoon of Friday 22nd January
she passed away at Hooklands Care Home. Aged just twenty-one
years Barbara enlisted with the Women’s Royal Air Force serving
as a Stewardess at Wilmslow, Hereford and then RAF Hospital Ely.
Nigel was serving with the RAF Police at Waterbeach in Ely and
this is how they came to meet. In 1967 Nigel demobbed and joined
West Sussex Police Constabulary. Nigel did not actually retire
from Police duties until 31/1/2015
Derek Marjoram
with the
news of the loss of Insp Paul McNamara, of the Ministry of Defence
Police, who lost his battle with Covid-19 on Wednesday.
More sad news copied from Gainsborough breakfast
veterans club, there will be a guard of honour for him if
any is local and wishes to attend.
I am
honoured to be conducting the Funeral Service for a fellow
vet who served in the Royal Air Force as RAF Police.
Serving some 25 years including service in Malaya, Bahrain
and Cyprus at the time of of the Coup in 1974.
Flight
Sergeant Bill Gardner
To be
held at Lea Fields Crematorium on Friday January 29th at
13:30
Guard
of Honour would be wonderful.
Jon Hodgson
25/1/21
It is with great
regret that I have learned of the passing of St Michael’s Branch member Raymond ‘Pop’ Nealon
of Braunschweig, Germany on 28th April 2020 aged 91
years. He served in the RAFP from 1946 to 1969 attaining the
rank of Sergeant He is survived by his wife Ruth and three
children.
May Raymond Rest
in Peace.
Neil Rusling
15/1/21
It is
with deep sadness that I have to inform you of the death of
one of the greatest Warrant Officers in the RAF Police, former
WO Norman Dodds who passed away at 1930 hours on Monday 11
January 2021. You could not meet a more genuine and pleasant
individual and I was proud to have served with him at
P&SS(Det) Gutersloh. Dee Dodds phoned me this evening to
relay the news. Norman was suffering from COPD. RIP Norman
David Swaithe
15/1/21
Sad news I'm afraid chaps. For
those who met my good friend Mark, (The stonemason who
created Buster's Memorial for us) he took his own life
a few days ago and is now flying free with the birds.
RIP Mark and thank you for all you did.
Scott Etheridge
6/1/21
Andrew
Dunkley, former RAFP is making his final journey as I
type, please spare a thought for him and his wife
Marie and 2 girls as they say their goodbyes, sorry I
couldn't be there guys. Taken too soon RIP Andy, take
a seat at the bar!!
Sarah Criddle
4/1/21