Former Members

Ken Chapman

Former RAF Regt Sqn Ldr Ken Chapman, born 19 Jul 15, has died at the age of 93 on 29 Jun 08. Commissioned on 19 Aug 44, he was promoted to Sqn Ldr on 1 Jan 54 and retired on 29 Sep 57. He lived in France for a number of years, before residing in the RAFA Sussexdown Home until his death. He was a member of the Sussex Branch of the RAF Regt Assoc. A Humanist Service will be held at Tribes Undertakers, 130 Broadwater Road, Worthing, BN14 8HU, on Wed 9 Jul 08 at 14.00. The Wake will be at the Sussexdown Home. He is survived by his son, to whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences

D Elliot

Former RAF Regt LAC Gnr D Elliot has died on 23 Jun 08, following a short illness. He joined the RAF as a National Serviceman in 1955 and served with 66 Sqn RAF Regt in Aden until his discharge in 1957. He was a staunch supporter of the Southend Branch of the RAF Regt Association. He is survived by his wife, Lucy, to whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences.

Norman Gerrish MM

We regret to announce the death of former RAF Regt FS Norman Phillip GERRISH, MM, on 1 Jun 08 at the age of 87. As a sergeant in charge of a rifle flt of 2708 Sqn RAF Regt, performed magnificently during the action at Meiktila airstrip in Burma. Despite his leg wound, he rallied his men, taking over a light machine gun and engaging the enemy to good effect. His fire was so effective that al his personnel were able to cross open ground to reach cover. Only then did he join his men - in full view of the enemy. As the Military Medal citation reads: 'His courage, determination and leadership were instrumental in holding two companies of the Japanese and for their ultimate defeat, during which 20 of the enemy were killed. He set a magnificent example in the face of strong opposition'.

Norman Gerrish was born in Bristol on 1 May 21. He joined the RAF in 1941 as a Ground Gunner, shortly after his 20th birthday. After recruit trg, he joined 2810 Sqn RAF Regt on as an AC2. He remained with 2810 Sqn for 3 years and rose to the rank of sgt. He also served briefly with 2882 Sqn before joining 2708 sqn RAF Regt on 25 Oct 44. He embarked with the sqn on 12 Dec 44 for overseas service in the Far East. He remained with 2708 sqn throughout the Burma campaign, finally reaching Hongkong, where the Sqn disbanded in may 46. He was promoted to A/ FS in Mar 46 and was discharged from the RAF on 19 Oct 46. He was the Chairman of the Bristol & Bath Branch of the RAF Regt Assoc until his death.

James Shaw

Former RAF Regt Gnr James (Jim) Shaw died on 13 May 08 in NSW, Australia. Joined the RAF in 1953. After RAF Basic Trg was posted to Dumfries for Regt Trg. Then posted to RAF Watchet for LAA conversion and, from there, went to7/31 (LAA)Sqns RAF Regt at RAF Wunsdorf in 1954. Was then posted to 48 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Aldergrove, NI. He was discharged in 1957 and went to live in Perth but eventually emigrated to Tasmania.

Walter Oliver

Former Ground Gunner and RAF Regt Gnr Walter OLIVER, born 20 Jun 16, died on 27 Mar 08 aged 91. He enlisted in May 40 and served with 2741 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Manston and in Egypt, Palestine Sicily, Algiers, Belgium and Germany. He was demobilized in 1946 and was a founder member of the Norfolk Branch of the RAF Regt Assoc.

Edward Hudson

Former Gnd Gnr and RAF Regt Gnr Edward Herbert HUDSON has died. He served between 1941-46 in India, Burma and Japan.

Wg Cdr John David O'Dwyer-Russell OBE

Former RAF Regt , born 31 Aug 30, died on 26 Apr 08, aged 77, after a long illness. He was commissioned on 31 Aug 50 and promoted to Wing Commander on 1 Jan 73. He commanded, among others, II Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Colerne and 5 Wg RAF Regt at RAF Wittering. He retired on 31 Aug 85.

Arthur ('Chum') Pearson

Former RAF Regt Cpl, Arthur ('Chum') Pearson, born 18 Apr 36, died on 22 Apr 08 aged 72. He served between 1954-58 on 28 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regt at Fazburg and at RAF Guetersloh, West Germany. He was a member of the Cambridgeshire Branch of the Association.

Ralph Walker

Former RAF Regt gnr Ralph Walker died recently. He served from 1946-56 on, among others, 59 (Rifle) Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Vahn, 17 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regt at Celle and also in Egypt. He was a keen supporter of the Tyne & Wear Branch of the RAF Regt Assoc.

Godfrey MacDonal Turney

Former RAF Regt WO Godfrey MacDonald Turney died in early 2008.

Ray Passey

Former Gnr Roy Passey of Brierley Hill, West Midlands, born 29 May 31, died on 20 Mar 08 after after a long illness, He was a National Serviceman from Aug 49 - Aug 51 and served on 60 (Rifle) Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Fassburg in West Germany.

Albert Worton

Former RAF Regt Sgt Albert Worton, born 30 Jul 21, died on 10 Apr 08, aged 86. He enlisted as a Gnd Gnr and served from May 41 to Jul 46 in the UK, North Africa, Italy and Palestine Theatres.

Stuart Gray

Former RAF Regt SAC signaller, Stuart Gray was born 30 Jul 35 and died on 16 Feb 08, aged 72. Enlisted Sep 52 and served on 60 (Fd) Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Guetersloh, Gatow and Wunsdorf. Demobilised in Sep 55.

Vic Houghton

Former RAF Regt Sgt, Vic Houghton, born 6 Sep 32, died on 15 Feb 08 aged 75. Joined 2605 (County of Warwick) Sqn RAuxAF Regt initially in Apr 50, but enlisted in the regular RAF in Nov that year. Served with 22 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regt (51-53) before demobilising from RAF Sutton Coldfield in Nov 53, to rejoin 2605 Sqn RAuxAF Regt. He re-joined the regular RAF in Sep 55 and served on nine RAF Regt sqns ( Nos 48, 16, 34, 26, 48, 1, 63, 26, 15) and at RAF Yatesbury, CGDS St Athan, and RAF Locking from where he retired.

Michael Hugh Dymoke Broad

Former RAF Regt Sqn Ldr Michael Broad, born 1 Feb 30, died peacefully in Ottawa, Canada, on 20 Jan 08 aged 77. Former pupil of Wellington College and resident of Lavant, W Sussex. Commissioned 12 Dec 51. Transferred subsequently to the Supply Branch and retired on 30 Sep 75. Worked afterwards for Roedean Girls' School before emigrating to Canada. At the time of his death, he was the major force behind establishing a SSAFA-type organization in Canada for the Canadian Forces and their families.

Thomas Bond

Former Gnd and RAF Regt Gnr, Thomas Bond of Birmingham, born 8 Apr 21, died on 7 Jan 08 aged 86. He enlisted in May 41 and joined 729 Gnd Def Flt, 5 Gp, at RAF Waddington. He transferred to RAF Regt on its formation in 1942 and the Flt was renumbered 2729 Sqn RAF Regt. Served on 2729 Sqn throughout WWII. He participated in Op OVERLORD and landed in Normandy in mid-Jun 44. He was discharged on 8 Jul 46. He was pre-deceased by wife, Mariette, whom he met during his wartime service in Belgium and married at War's end.

Bertram Arthur (Jimmy) James, MC

Former RAF GD and RAF Regt offr, born 17 Apr 15 and died 18 Jan 08, aged 92. Commissioned 1 May 39. Aircrew flt lt of IX Sqn RAF operating from RAF Honington, he was shot down south of Rotterdam on 5 Jun 40 and parachuted to safety. Captured and eventually transferred to Stalag Luft III prison camp near Sagan in Poland, he was No39 in the infamous Great Escape that resulted in 50 of the 76 escapers being shot by the Gestapo. He transferred to the RAF Regt after the War and retired, as a Sqn Ldr, on 11 Jun 58.

John Cronin

Former Gunner, John Cronin, a long standing member of the East Kent Branch of the RAF Regt Association, died in hospital at Canterbury on the 23 Dec 07 after a long battle against cancer. Served from 1950-55 with 57 Sqn RAF Regt in Germany and then 48 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Chivenor.

Jack Luxton

Former Gunner, Jack (Francis John) died on 27 Dec 07. A former member of 2706 Sqn RAF Regt, he served in Burma during WWII and had been an active member of the local branches of both the Burma Star Association and the RBL, until he broke his hip in a fall about 4½ years ago. Member of the RAF Regt Comrades' Assoc since 1988.

Fred Meadows

Former RAF Regt WO. Known as 'Grazing'. Born 12 Mar 15 and died 7 Dec 07, aged 92, in Clacton, Essex. Errand boy at Boots the Chemist before enlisting in 1935. Joined the RAF Regt in 1942 and served in Amman, Jordan, with 21 LAA Sqn for five years and with the Queen's Flight. Was the SWO at the RAF Regt Depot Catterick in 1957. Retired in 1965 and joined the Post Office.

Ken Hawkins - Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Lincolnshire Branch Chairman, Ken Hawkins. Ken, a staunch member of the branch, was rushed in to Leicester Hospital; over the weekend of 9/10 December. An operation which followed was unsuccessful as it was discovered that he had peritonitis and this proved fatal with other complications. Ken's wife, June, and other members of the family were at his bedside throughout until the end. Sadly, Ken passed away at 1600 hrs on 14 December 2006. Everyone in the Branch is thinking of June and the family members at this sad time. Ken was a great supporter of the Lincolnshire Branch and an ardent "Armoured Car Man". He was always keen to lend a hand and join the Branch's various activities. Ken will be sadly missed by us all for his generous support and jovial nature. Memories of him will remain with us all for the rest of our lives.

Norman Wildbore

It is with deep regret that I must announce the death on Thursday 4th August 2006, of Birmingham Branch member former Gunner Norman Wildbore of Enderby, Leicestershire. Norman enlisted on 13th June 1947 and after his Basic Training at RAF Padgate and No 6 School of Recruit Training, RAF Innsworth, he was posted to RAF Credenhill to complete an Equipment Course where he qualified as an Equipment Assistant. He was then posted to RAF El Hamra in Egypt where he joined A Flight, 2 (Armoured Car) Squadron. He served with that Squadron in Jerusalem, RAF Amman, Transjordan, RAF Habbaniya, Iraq and back to RAF El Hamra. Norman was posted back to the UK on completion of his service and was discharged on 25th July 1949. He was awarded the General Service Medal (Palestine). Such was his affection for his service career that he named his house "Habbaniya".

Former Sergeant George Chapman (Birmingham Branch Member)

It is with deep regret to announce the death of Birmingham Branch member, former Sergeant George Chapman of Machynlleth, Powys, Wales. During his long membership of the Birmingham Branch, he was a consistent benefactor to the Birmingham Branch in particular and to the RAF Regiment Association in general. George began his military career in the 1930’s when he joined the Irish Guards. On 6th July 1940, he joined the Royal Air Force and served, first as a Ground gunner and later, as a member of the RAF Regiment. During his service in the RAF, in 1941 he became an Instructor and a member of the Demonstration Team at Filey.
In addition, in that year, he also became the RAF Southern Area Lightweight Boxing Champion. George later served in South East Asia Command (SEAC) and in addition to his other medals, was awarded the Burma Star. George served throughout the Second World War and completed his service on 2nd May 1946 when he was discharged. After his service, George developed a very successful career in publishing. As well as being a long serving member of the RAF Regiment Association, George also joined the Irish Guards Association and eventually became President of his local branch.

Rabbi Burns

Former RAF Regt SAC Rabbi Burns, born 30 Mar 36, died on 29 Feb 08 aged 71. He served from 1954-66 in the Middle East (Suez), RAF Bridgenorth, 34 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Nicosia, 2 (Fd) Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Malta, RAF Felixstowe and 63 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Tengah. He was survived by his wife, Nan, to whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences.

Horace Holmes

Former RAF Regt LAC Horace Leslie Holmes (Les), born 7 Feb 1921, died 23 Feb 2008, aged 87. He was called up for RAF service at the outbreak of WWII and transferred to the RAF Regt on its formation. Served throughout the War on 2763 and 2724 Sqns RAF Regt until the end of the War. Left the Corps in Mar 45 and joined the Royal Military Police, with which he served for a further five years.