Anything you want to share about yourself
(within reason), the family, friends. Let me have it and it will go
here.
Ron Brown 4th August, 2010.....
More sad news I'm afraid. It is with the
greatest regret that I have to tell you that Ron Brown passed away early
on Wednesday morning 4th August.
Ron was, I'm sure you know, Manager
Flight Engineers for quite a while before his retirement and was greatly
respected. He was a very astute manager and a good and fair man and I,
for one, had the greatest admiration for him.
I'm sure you will join me in sending
condolences to his lovely wife Jo, their daughter Cheryl and two sons
Graig and Brett.
Nothing we can say will help them with the grief that they must be
suffering but our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
A funeral service will be held at:
Uniting Church, 29 Albert Street, Taree, NSW at 11am on Tuesday 10th
August.
Jo has requested that in lieu of flowers
donations be made to The Melanoma Institute of Australia and that would
be greatly appreciated. The Institute can be accessed at:
https://secure.donman.net.au/client/MIA/mia.asp
If you wish, register your details in the
Personal Details section and then in the "Donation Details" click on the
drop down menu for Direct My Donation and change to "In Memory
Donation".
Jo's address for those who
wish it is, 50 Redhead Road, Hallidays Point, NSW 2340.
As a postscript to this,
Brian Bawcombe has asked me to add the following. It says it all:
How Fortunate, by BJ.
I first met Ron Brown in 1959, when we were both
teenage apprentices serving with the Royal Australian Air Force. Ron
was a senior apprentice and quite apart from the two year age
difference, it was very apparent to me from the first meeting that
Ron came from a different mould.
His progress up through the ranks, both as an
Apprentice and later in the permanent Air Force, was testimonial to
this difference, a difference that was reflected in his unswerving
professionalism, dedication to task and strength of character. But
Ron was a quiet achiever, always content to produce results
and leave the ‘Lime Light’ for others. And produce results he
certainly did, always leading by example, demanding the highest of
standards both of himself and of those with whom he had contact.
I was privileged to work under Ron’s command as a
Flight Engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force, constantly
exposed to his high standards, his determined dedication to duty and
his quiet, but exceptional leadership. These were qualities that
were inspirational to all those who served under him and I’m sure,
were responsible in no small way to whatever we have all since
achieved.
For many, this association with Ron was to continue
beyond the Air Force years when we once again found ourselves under
his command as Flight Engineers in Cathay Pacific Airways. Ron’s
professional talents were quickly recognised and rewarded with
promotion through the ranks of Check and Training and into
Management where his organisational and leadership skills continued
to blossom.
Ron was a good boss, a decent boss, a boss who didn’t
tolerate fools, but a boss who always cared about people and did his
best to help others when the opportunity arose. Ron’s participation
in the Sunnyside Club in Hong Kong and his work after retirement in
the Variety Club of New South Wales, assisting handicapped and
underprivileged children, gave him so much pleasure and was so
typical of Ron’s ‘behind the scenes’ activities. Activities
typically pursued with passion but without fan fare.
Ron Brown was a fair person, a person who in reality
demanded little more of people than a fair days work for a fair days
pay. And Ron was a true friend, one who would always step up to the
plate when needed, one who never hesitated to help, whatever the
circumstances.Throughout his life, Ron stood tall and will continue
to do so in the memories of all who have really known him.
How fortunate were we, to have had Ron Brown pass our
way.
Warwick Armitage 21st July, 2010
It's with the deepest regret that I
have to tell you that Warwick passed away on Monday 19th July. A funeral
will take place on Saturday 24th July at the Palmdale Memorial Park Lawn
Cemetery and Crematorium at 11:30. I believe the address is Palmdale
Road, Palmdale, NSW 2258 Tel (02) 4362 1203.
I'm sure that I speak for all of us
when I say that our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Daphne and
their three daughters.
Anyone who knew or flew with Warwick
will know that he was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed.
Daphne's address is 2 Dilkera
Avenue, Valentine, NSW 2280.
MERV ‘GUS’ WALKER 15 JUNE, 2010
From Geoff Walker - Pictures to follow (24th June '01)
Dear Graham
I am sorry to report that Dad passed away suddenly at home in Perth at
midday on 15 June, 2010, just short of his 86th birthday.
He had a long and fruitful life but will be sorely missed by my mother
Joan, myself, my twin brothers Michael and Stephen and the extended
family.
The funeral took place at Fremantle Cemetery on 19 June followed by a
gathering at his favourite watering hole, the Seaview Golf Club in
Cottesloe, overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Dad grew up in Cue in the goldfields of Western Australia and later
Fremantle, in and around the Great Depression.
Both he and Mum developed through their own childhood experiences a
quiet determination to provide a better life for we three boys. This is
a lasting legacy for which we will be forever grateful.
Dad joined the RAAF in 1942, soon after his 18th birthday. His first log
book entry was on 19 December, 1942 at Cunderdin where he undertook his
initial flight training on the mighty Tiger Moth. From there he moved to
Geraldton in early 1943 to continue his flight training on Ansons. In
1944 he was transferred to No. 2 Squadron and flew B25 Mitchells while
based at Truscott Base and Bachelor near Darwin.
Following the conclusion of hostilities he was de-mobbed in 1945 and
returned briefly to civilian life. In 1949, one day prior to receiving a
job offer from Australian National Airlines, he re-joined the RAAF for
six years. An attempt to unwind the course of history was unsuccessful
so he spent the ensuing 6 years at Sale and then Pt Cook, primarily as
an instructor on Wirraways.
During his RAAF career he flew the Tiger Moth, Anson, B25, Wirraway,
Mustang, C47, Lincoln and the Vampire.
In 1954 he joined the Royal Aero Club of WA at Maylands in Perth and
then MacRobertson Miller Airlines where he spent two years flying the
DC3 around Western Australia.
In early April, 1958 we all boarded the Blue Funnel steamer Gorgon for
the trip to Singapore and then on to Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific
Airways DC4, arriving on Anzac Day. My uncle, Peter Lavender was the FO
on that flight.
During Dad's twenty years at Cathay he had the privilege of flying every
type, from the DC3 through to the Tristar. With my uncle Peter they flew
the DC3 at the opening ceremony for the brand spanking new Kai Tak
Airport in 1960.
Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific were good to our family, providing many
thrills and spills, lifelong friendships and opportunity for us
children. The Aero Club, the Shelter Cove Yacht Club, the USRC and golf
at Fanling were all corner posts of our life in Hong Kong. There were
also the ‘other’ dives, which I was not to learn about until later in
life; the Neptune Inn, later Condors Bar, the Palm Court, the White Stag
and other assorted retreats in Tsimshatsui such as Red Lips and Bottoms
Up. The common denominator, cold beer and mates.
Dad retired in 1978 and returned to Perth where he continued his
involvement with aviation.
He joined the Air Training Corp to try and return something to a
profession which gave him so much. One of his cadets who later flew
F18's in the RAAF is now a captain on the Airbus fleet. This was a
source of immense pride.
He also continued his interest in gliding, a pastime in which he first
took an interest while at Palmdale on the Tristar course. He owned a
glider and spent some 600 hours in it, mainly up at Cunderdin. There
were also many hot and sticky hours in the tow plane when no other
licensed pilot was available.
Then followed a shipment of crates from Van's Aircraft, the contents of
which he slowly and laboriously (and with the help of many friends)
turned into an RV6.
Although he only flew the RV6 once, it was to the Langley
Park fly-in on the Perth foreshore with the same young man who he first
met as an ATC cadet.
His time in local government was perhaps the low point of his
retirement. As a Councilor on the Cottesloe Town Council, he met many
affronts to his ingrained sense of fairness and decency.
I still laugh at a plaque that was given to him by Crombie Gilbraith and
Keith Boswell on one of his last trips to Seoul.
" Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
“ I shall fear no evil
“ For I am the meanest SOB in the valley."
He got a big laugh out of that and it is that big laugh that will remain
with me forever.

Dad fondly remembered his 20,000 hours of flight. We
fondly remember his 730,000 hours on terra firma.
I would like to thank all those who shared the sorrow of his passing
with us.
From the Cathay family we were pleased to welcome Adam
Takach, Brian Floyd, Les Hawkes, Geoff Green, Jeff Perret, Wee John
Ridley, Peter Yates, Graham Falkner, Clarrie Turner and Bob Dewar as
well as their wives and families. Unfortunately Lisle McCausland was
unable to join us but the McCausland Clan was ably represented by her
daughter Lisa.


Per Ardua ad Astra
Barry Frazer
(4th March ’10)
Sadly I have to let you know that
Barry has passed away - this from Peter de Souza:
“Just to let you know that Barry Fraser died on the 22nd
Feb in Poole General Hospital where he had been seriously ill for some
time. His funeral service will be at the Bournemouth Crematorium on Tue
9th March at 1100. Confirmation of this can be obtained from daughter
Mandy on 07890 464281 or 01202 466136.”
As you
know, Barry was CX Cabin Staff Training Manager in the 70’s and 80’s.
I’m sure all our thoughts go out to his family.
I’m sorry
to be the bearer of more sad news.
Bob Holder (11th
Nov '09)
More sad news, I'm
afraid. This from Steve Holder to whom we send our sincere
condolences.
Dad passed away last
Saturday in North Queensland after he lost his fight with Cancer.
Dads wishes were to be
cremated in North Queensland then a Ceremony to be held at his
Ultralight Club.
The service is to be held
on Friday 20th November at 1PM.
Gold Coast Sport Flying
Club
1638 Jacob's well Rd
Norwell (Jacob's well)
Brisbane.
Highway exit 38 coming from
Brisbane and 49 coming from the Gold Coast. (Please check directions
in advance as it is tricky to find!)
My apologies if I
haven't contacted you personally, please feel free to pass this
email on if you notice I have missed anyone.
Steve
Home: 07 38229919
Mob: 0400142212
Frank Seaton (5th
Nov '09)
It is with a heavy heart that I sadly have to pass
the news to you that Frank has passed away. All of us knew him well
and respected him highly. In fact, at an induction party when I
joined Cathay, Frank spent a great deal of time with Mike Bradley
and me and helped to make our introduction to Cathay Pacific a truly
friendly and easier experience. I'm sure that you will join me in
sending sincere condolences to all Frank's family in this time of
their sad loss.
The following is the text of a message sent to me
from Guy:
Dear Graham,
We thought to tell you that Dad, Frank William
Harry died in the Paphos Hospice on the Tuesday, 2nd November after
a brief battle with Cancer. It has happened so rapidly that we are
all still shocked.
My mother and Jo and I would be grateful if you
would pass on the sad news.
At present we have Jill's neighbours, Sandy and
Alison from Edinburgh staying at their Paphos home. Over the years
they have become good friends of my Mum and Dad and will be at his
funeral tomorrow. Really small world isn't it.
Dad kept on getting in touch with you about
joining Cathay Classics, alas, now too late.
Best regards to Rose, and Tanya and yourself,
With love to you both from Mum .
Guy.
Lost & Found?
Rowan McMath (30th Oct '09)
Dave Fidler is
desperately seeking Rowan McMath (must owe him some money!).
Dave's email is:
david.fidler@gmail.com
Can anyone help?
Suzie Sharman (9th
Oct '09)
I'm so sorry to be
the bearer of more sad news. I have had a message from Kim Sharman who
has asked me to let you know that Suzie passed away on Wednesday after a
battle with cancer. I am attempting to include a link that explains all,
I do hope it will work:
http://www.rosiebear.co.uk/
I'm sure that all
of our thoughts and prayers go out to Kim, Ben and Andrew.
From Colin Cox
(8th Oct '09)
Dear members (and
friends) of the Guild,
I have been asked to remind those associated with the HK Region, either
now or in the past, that there will be a Memorial Service in London for
our old friend 'Captain Jack' at 1430h on Wednesday 28th October at St.
Michael’s Church, Cornhill, EC3V 9DS. Guests will subsequently be
invited to adjourn to ‘Bonds’ bar in the 'Threadneedles Hotel' at No.5,
Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8AY, just a 5 minute walk away.
Whilst there is no limit on numbers, can anyone who intends to be there
please inform the office in London by email of their names. Email
address is simply gapan@gapan.org - Attn: Mrs Ruth Cundy. This is just
to give some idea of likely numbers attending for planning purposes.
Please forward this email on to others you feel may be interested in
attending and might not be copied in here.
Thank you,
Colin Cox Assistant to The Court
Jack Smith
(5th Sept '09)
As most of
you will be aware, Jack Smith passed away on Tuesday 18th August. I have
copied the original message from Helen, below. I need not say that Jack
was loved and respected by all who knew him. I was privileged to be the
F/E on his last command check before being made a captain so I
particularly miss him.
Helen has
asked me to pass on information about a Memorial Service to be held in
London, the details being given below:
My Dear Friends,
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you that darling Jack
slipped away in the early hours of today (Tuesday 18th August). After
such a long, hard battle, Jack went very peacefully with his family
around him.
With love,
Helen, Jacqui & Juli
*****
Dear Rose and
Graham,
Thank you very much for your kind message. Sorry this is rather a
delayed reply.
I am still finding it hard to accept that Jack has left us - he has
always been there for me, since I was seventeen years' old! However, I
am glad that he is now at peace, after his long and so courageous battle
and I have a wonderful, caring family, so I am very lucky.
I shall forward you a photo of 'Jack' sitting in his favourite corner
barstool at his 'wake' last week at the "Aero Club". This is how I shall
remember him!
_small.jpg)
Jack's funeral was at St John's Cathedral last week but we have arranged
a Memorial Service for him in London with the help of GAPAN. It will be
held at St Michael's Church in the City on 28th October at 2.30pm. If
you could let people know, it would be great to see any old friends in
the UK who are able to attend. Many thanks!
Kind regards,
Helen
Received from David Baker (26th July '09)
Interesting resume of David's
recent adventures - G
Hi All
For those of you who may be interested (you can hit 'delete' now if you
wish) the following is an update on recent developments in my
professional life, or should I say the "soap opera" of a life that has
evolved over the last year.
In March of 2008, The Air Group, the 28 years established company for
whom I had worked for ten years, five as chief pilot, decided to sell
out to a new mega enterprise called Sentient Aviation (odd people with
an odd name but it is in the dictionary!). Seemed a great idea at the
time. Their plan was to purchase ten other corporate aircraft management
companies and combine them to form the largest company of its kind in
the world. They talked about "300+ aircraft, 1000+ pilots and 2500 staff
throughout the US by the end of 2008" . Well, they went ahead and
purchased these companies but that was when their troubles started, 'cos
they didn't have the money to complete any of the purchases! (hmmm,
dealing with smart people here!). So most of the companies went away,
owed millions and pending law suits will keep attorneys well paid for
years I suspect. They decided to back out and sold the wreckage to a
company called Jet Direct, run by a bunch of East Coast incompetents.
They stumbled on, making promises they could never keep, laying off
staff by the hundreds (and not paying them due salary or for leave not
taken etc) until April this year and then conveniently declared
bankruptcy (Chapter 7, no assets of course). Hundreds of ex staff were,
and still are, owed hundreds of thousands of dollars. There was even a
web site opened up by all these abused folk and right now a class action
law suit is being put together, good luck to them! So then along came
Wayfarer Aviation (are you still paying attention, I shall be asking
questions later!). They said they could make a go of it, laid off even
more staff, upset all the aircraft owners by not attending to their
needs, who in turn became so ticked off by their incompetent shenanigans
they took their aircraft elsewhere, Right now at the magnificent Van
Nuys facility (3 x 20K sq ft hangars and 12k sq ft of offices) where we
used to manage 20+ aircraft there are none, not one aircraft, they've
all gone together with most of the staff and the company "manages" (I
use that word in its broadest sense) just 30 aircraft nation wide, most
of them smaller jets not the Gulfstream cabin-class aircraft that
charter so well.
Earlier this week, out of the blue I received a call from the head
office in Boston, asking if I was interested in becoming company overall
chief pilot (I was currently the Western Regional Chief Pilot). Seems
they had terminated the "national" chief pilot, which astounded me as he
was a very good man. This they said was "a promotion with an increase in
salary", hmmm. Downside was I would have to move from California to
Boston, ouch! They made vague promises about relocation expenses, never
came up with a definitive salary and were unable to answer my questions
on the company's financial health or future. I had already seen that the
writing was on the wall with my job, why have two chief pilots with such
a small fleet of aircraft? So, to cut a long story a little shorter, I
sent out resumes (CVs to you Brits) to a few aviation companies. I
quickly got a response from a large corporate aircraft management
company based at Van Nuys , Clay Lacy Aviation, who have been
established 40 years, and on Tuesday I received a call from their
chairman and owner (who I had met on many previous occasions) and he
asked if I could have lunch with him the next day. This I did and he
offered me a job on the spot, initially as a line captain and check
airman on the GIV and GV fleet of aircraft (they have 20+ Gulfstreams)
and a good salary. I even received written confirmation of the offer and
terms and conditions the next morning and I accepted the offer. I went
back to my office and typed my resignation to Wayfarer with no regrets
whatsoever. My first day in the new job was yesterday and tomorrow I am
off to Simuflite in Dallas for a week to do my six monthly class and
simulator training. What a relief, the last year has been very stressful
for all of us ex Air Group folks, never knowing when the axe would fall
(I give Wayfarer 90 days before they go under). I am thrilled to be
starting over, no office duties, no 80 mile commute five days a week, no
hassles, just fly the line and enjoy my time off, bliss.
Thanks for getting this far without nodding off, but I just had to let
someone know! Take care,
Yours aye,
David
Received from Mike Jones (26th May '09)
Hi there
My father Maurice Jones
(Cathay 1967-1977) has recently passed away and I wonder if you
could put a mention of this on the cathayclassics website. I know
that a few of the classics will remember dad and some were in fairly
regular touch with him.
His address books etc
have been lost and I think this may be a better way of passing the
information across.
Dad died on 22/5/2009
after a short but devastating illness, his funeral and cremation
took place in Lincoln.
Mum Rosemary keeps on
going although obviously feels the loss of dad after 63 years of
marriage.
Many thanks
Mike Jones
Norman
Davis
(30th May '09)
Sadly, I have received the
following news and request from Samantha Davis. I'm sure you will
join with me in offering condolences to his family. Norm was a great
guy and we joined Cathay on the same day in 1971 - Graham.
Dear Graham
I would be most grateful if you
could post the following details on the Cathay Classics website.
It is with much regret that I
announce the passing of my dear Dad, Norman Davis, on the 27th
May 2009 at 7.20pm Australia time.
He was very peaceful at the end,
and died with his dear wife Ericka, daughter Samantha and
grand-daughter Manon, by his side.
His service will be held at St,
Paul’s Anglican Church, Cleveland, Queensland, at 12 noon, on the 4th
June.
In lieu of flowers, it was
Norman’s request that donations be made to his chosen charity, that
he has personally supported since its inception in 2004.
I have set up a web page for any
of you who would like to donate to this worthy cause:
www.everydayhero.com.au/samantha_bremont
God Bless and Many Thanks
Samantha
Tim's 70th
(8th May '09)
Tim Casey enjoyed a surprise
70th birthday party organized by his wife, Gill and daughter Anya.
Although we were invited, sadly Rose and I were unable to attend what
turned out to be a "rollicking" event. The venue was the Royal Air Force
Club, Hodges Room at Piccadilly. Here follows a selection of pictures
after which I've added some names. But due to restraints, (my ability) I
leave you to relate the names to the pictures.
Wayne-husband of Laura, Gerald-brother, Jean Leith-Smith
Harry McLean, Jane Quin, Peter Leith-Smith, Gill, Laura-niece
Gill, Phil Derry, Diane & Phil Yiasoumi, Angie Wade, Peter Mardon
L
to R Julie, Andy-Gill’s brother, Norma Harris
Ken Quin, Andrea & Harry McLean
Brother Gerald and Jean Leith-Smith
Floydy's
80th (21st Feb '09)
First, my apologies for the
dilatory inclusion of this happy event. Recovery from my sojourn in the
GAFA, computer problems (surprise, surprise) internet problems with the
"Site Of The Year - nay - Decade. These are my excuses. Anyway, at last,
for your edification.
Brian Floyd celebrated his
80th birthday with friends in Perth on the 21st February and here are
the rogues who attended, in all their splendour:
Brian Mercer - Brian Floyd -
Clarrie Turner - Wee John Ridley - Bob Dewer - Geoff Green
ME
(19th Dec '08)?
Greetings, fans, followers, debtors and well
wishers.
A few well chosen words to wish you all well during
the forthcoming festive season.
No cards, I’m afraid, as we are guests of the
Antipodeans at present. Naturally, like many of you, I will donate the
savings on cards and stamps to a worthy charity – mine.
As those of you who faithfully follow my adventures
will know, what started out as a few weeks in Perth (the upside down
one) to visit our eldest, Gail and her family, developed into a
monumental incarceration due to Rose falling out of bed and breaking her
arm. Honest, it wasn’t me and she wasn’t smashed at the time – so she
declares.
Anyway, thanks to the excellent service provided by
Sir Charles Gairdener Hospital in Perth, which not only consisted of
x-rays, plaster cast, panadol, etc., ended up with an operation to
insert a metal plate to hold the whole thing together. I cannot
over-emphasize how proficient they were; thank the Lord she was in their
hands and not the NHS in YUK. She is now, thankfully on the mend.
I have, however, niggling doubts about instructions
she says she has received from her physiotherapist demanding that she
does not wash dishes, engage in strenuous cooking including hot
beverages, make beds, lift any objects at all, exceeding the weight of a
glass of white wine. Maybe I’m just overly suspicious!
Time is running out on our visa and we have not, so
far, been able to visit our youngest, Tania and her family. However, we
are in the process of begging the Immigration Department to extend our
three month limit so that we can continue our World Tour of Australia.
However, Perth is now pleasant with decent
temperatures after a rather Artic beginning caused mainly by that
abominable wind, The Fremantle Doctor.
Meeting old friends at the monthly luncheon at the
Albion Pub has also been a joy and we are looking forward to the next
one later this month.
The biggest plus, however, is missing the sunshine
and unbearably high temperatures of a balmy Edinburgh winter.
So, dear friends, Rose and I wish you all a
truly Merry Christmas and, should I tempt fate in the present economic
circumstances, A Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Keep the cheques rolling in – thanks:
Graham & Rose
Stop Press:
Those wonderful and generous officers of the
Immigration Department have now deemed that we can stay and contribute
to the Australian economy for a further three months, at A$240 a head.
Norman
Davis
(16th Dec '08)
Erika would like to let you know
that:
Norman is in hospital in Brisbane having
had a massive brain tumour removed on Friday. He will need to have
further treatment, either radio or chemo therapy as it was malignant.
He is
in the high dependency unit at the moment and if all goes well he hopes
to be home by Christmas Eve. I will keep you in touch with any further
news
From Tracy Lane (Dybal) (11th Dec '08)
With
Tracy's permission -G
Dear Graham
Not sure if you remember me,
it’s been a while. I am Tracy, Lesley’s daughter and I would just
like to let you know about mum and her passing.
Mum was diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer in Feb ’08 and operated on pretty much straight
away. She was given approximately 2 years and started on both
radiotherapy and chemotherapy immediately. Unfortunately her battle
only lasted 9 months.
Mum had been doing really well
up until about the middle of November and then started experiencing
more pain. Fortunately, the worst of it only lasted a few days and
she was hospitalised and passed away on Saturday 29 November 2008.
Her service was held on the Gold
Coast, Australia on 3 December and many old faces turned up to say
their farewells, which I know she would have been happy about. It
was a shame she wasn’t there for the party as I know she would have
enjoyed that too.
Neil, Chris and I would like to
thank everyone for their messages on behalf of mum. She had a
wonderful like and HK was such a big part of it – many memories are
going through my head and I hope that everyone who knew her would
have their own special one.
If there is any other
information you need, please feel free to contact me and I would
appreciate receiving your updates in the future if that is
possible. I understand I didn’t work for CX like mum and dad but
there are so many families I would still like to be in contact with.
Regards
Tracy Lane (DYBALL)
From Tom (5th Dec '08)
Viv Cox 17.03.42 - 31.10.08
Tom, Michael and Julia
have received so many kind messages that I hope that you will understand
us responding in this way. Many wonderful loving memories recalled which
have made her sudden parting very much easier to bear. Thank you. Her
funeral service was inspiring and I hope that you will forgive me for
attaching Viv's photo as it appeared on her service sheet. A final
reminder of our darling 'Archibald Girl'.

Tom Cox
Old Friends
(1st Dec '08)
Sadly and reluctantly I have
to let you know of the passing of two old friends from Cathay.
Leslie Winters (Dyball)
passed away in hospital on November 29th. I have no further
information other than she had been ill for some time. I’m certain she will be
missed by all who knew her.
Pretty much one of the
unsung but important back room boys of CX, Harry Wheatley started in CX
Engineering in 1961 as Power Plant Engineer and remained in that position before
moving on to the Supply Department. A quiet and unassuming man, he was involved
in the change over from piston engines in CX to the introduction of the Allison,
GE CJ805-3B in the CV880 aircraft then later was instrumental in the
introduction of P&W and RR engines. He left CX in 1986 after 25 years of
service. Harry, born 1st October 1934, passed away on Monday 24th November of a liver infection,
aged 74.
Our condolences to all those
that they have left behind.
Us at The Albion (25th Nov '08)
Just had an
enjoyable lunch with members of the Perth Mafia at The Albion pub in Cottesloe,
Perth. It was nice to meet some of the old codgers although a few were missing -
The Bawcombes - in Sydney - The Riddlies - absent, no apologies sent.
The attendance
list was as follows:
Ken & Iris
Hart, Lisle McCausland, Sheila Bremner, Jeff Perret, Les & Jennifer Hawkes,
Charlie Page, Brian Floyd, Doreen Newell, Clarrie Turner, Darellyn Melsom and,
of course, Rose and me, Rose, resplendent in a brand new lipstick pink splint.
Of course, if her right arm had been at fault it would have been green.

It really was
nice to see old friends again. I hope you like the pictures.
Bianca, Rose & Me (22nd
Nov '08)
Recently had a had a very pleasant day out
with Bianca MacDonald who now lives in Perth, not the real one mind you, but the
copy in West Australia where we are presently on holiday.
She picked Rose and I up at our daughter
and son in law's house in Nedlands and drove us North to where she is building
her new house. And what a house it is, very impressive and in the final stages
of construction. We would have to go a long way to find such a superb residence,
made us completely envious.

After the grand tour, she kindly took us
to lunch at Soda's restaurant on the beach nearby. If you've not been there,
give it a go, it's great.
After a great lunch we were driven back in
Mercedes splendour, completing a lovely day. Many thanks, Bianca, from both us.

From the pictures, you might note Rose's
broken arm which has curtailed our Australian tour a fracture (oops - meant
fraction)
Viv Cox (10th Nov '08)
Sorry to be the bearer of more bad news. I
received the following email from Colin and thought Tom might appreciate me
passing the sad news on to his many friends. I'm sure you will join with me in
sending condolences to Tom in his time of sadness. I will not be able to attend
as I am presently in Perth, WA.
Hi Graham,
Long time no hear! Are you aware that Tom Cox’s wife Viv passed away last
Friday? There was a notice in Wednesday’s Daily Telegraph. The funeral is next
Thurs 13th at 15:45h Easthampstead Crematorium, Nr. Wokingham, Berks.
Easthampstead Park
Cemetery & Crematorium
South Road
Nine Mile Ride
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 3DW (Map)
Tel: 01344 420314
Fax: 01344 862953
Email: cem.crem@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Tom would be most appreciative for the support of those who could possibly be
there. Please pass this on to anyone you feel should know.
Best regards,
Colin
From The Telegraph:
"Vivien Rosemary
(née Hodgetts) born 17th March 1942, darling wife of Tom Cox, loving mother to
Mike and Julia, loving grandma to Adam, Natasha, Jasmine and India. She died
peacefully at home on 31st October. Funeral Service at Easthampstead
Crematorium, Wokingham at 3.45p.m. on November 13th. Farewell to our darling
Archibald girl."
Dusty's Send Off (4th Sept '08)
I received this message from
Richard Miller and thought that it was best left verbatim:
Dad's service was a very emotional but a very wonderful tribute to
him and his life, made only better by the many old friends and
familiar faces who came, some of whom we had not seen for such a
long time. For the friends who were unable to attend, your thoughts
and prayers were certainly felt, so thank you again.
A few of the "flyers" suggested I send you a copy of the poem I read
(well, tried to), during the service, as they thought it wholly
appropriate ! I'm sure there is a place like this waiting for them
all - (The picture I have in my mind, it's just like the old Aero
Club at Kai Tak and I'm certain Dad is on San Mig already laughing
at us all !)
I
hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where aircrew can go when their time comes to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a mate whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would ever be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that you ladies could go
And feel safe and secure with the men you would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door.
They would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "Now there’s a good lad!"
And
there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, Dusty, I'm so proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and officials, the taxman, and the noise.
Here all the hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
For this is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test.
Rex Swann (31st Aug '08)
Further to the sad news I have reported
below, I have received this message from Dick Marsh
"Rex Swann, formerly Station
Manager Melbourne, along with many previous posts and drummer in the Great
Australian Jazz Band(?) died on Saturday, the 23rd August.
Funeral service will be at
Christchurch Chapel, South Yarra at 1030 on the Friday, 29th
Sept. Drinks will be after the service at the Bridge Hotel.
Although this is late notice, I am
sure many ex-CX will remember Rex and like to pass on the condolences to his
wife Judy and family.
I shall let you know of any other
details when I receive them,"
Dusty Miller (30th Aug '08)
It is with
great sadness that I have to let you know that Dusty passed away on Sunday 24th
August. The following is an extract from an email which I received from his son,
Richard:
"As you may or may not have been aware, Dad's health had not been
good for a couple of years and had declined rapidly over the last three
or four months. Knowing him as you did, you can imagine he was hating
the state he was in and very frustrated with life. To that end, his
passing was a blessing and he had Mum, James (my brother ) and I with
him when he slipped peacefully away, happy in the knowledge Mum will be
well looked after by us both. She is bearing up well and is ever
strong, despite having suffered a stroke herself only 7 weeks ago. Her
courage and strength still continues to be an inspiration.
It would indeed be very kind if you could post a notice on Cathay
Classics, as his friends and old colleagues were always central to his
life. Should anyone wish to know, his funeral will be held on Wed 3rd.
Sept at 11:30am at St. Mary's Church, Pook Lane, East Lavant, Chichester,
W.Sussex PO18 0AH. I know Mum would love to see any old friends that
would wish to attend. Mum has requested family flowers only but should
anyone wish to make a donation, then this can be done to The Fleet Air
Arm Officers Association, 4 St. James' Square, London, SW1Y 4JU."
I'm sure you would agree with me when I say that our deepest condolences
and prayers are with his family at this trying time.
Sadly, I also have to report that I have been made aware that Rex
Swann, former Cathay Station Manager, Melbourne has also passed away. I
have no further details in this case but I'm sure he will be fondly
remembered by all of us who knew him.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of news of these sad events - Graham.
The Coney- Jones Family (6th August '08)
Thought you
would like to hear some good news. Chris, son of Norman and Judy got married a
week past last Saturday to a lovely looking Alison. See pic:

I'm sure you
will all join me in wishing the beautiful couple a long and happy life together.
Norm and Judy
don't look too bad either!
Sandra Vickers (17th May '08)
It is with great sadness that I have to report
that Sandra Vickers has passed away in Perth, Australia on Thursday 15th May. All of us will remember
Sandra as a truly lovely and sincere lady who was never without a smile and a
kind word for everyone. We were privileged to be neighbours of Sandra and Ken
during our last years in Hong Kong and will never forget the joy that brought to
us.
The following is a copy of an email received by
Graham and Sandy Camier from Russel and was kindly forwarded to us. If we
receive any further information, I will, of course, post it right away.
Dear Graham and Sandy
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Mum died last night. She lost
her place on the transplant list in February due to a general decline in her
health, and she continued to deteriorate steadily from then on.
Mum handled her entire illness with incredible dignity and bravery, and we will
be forever proud of her for those and the many other qualities she had. Of
course we were all so hopeful of a successful transplant operation giving her
many more years of life, but that was not to be. We are so desperately
disappointed by Mum's death, but I hope we will soon be able to take comfort
from the knowledge that her suffering is now over.
I would be very grateful if you would let those who knew mum, and with whom you
keep contact, know of her death. Unfortunately Mum's address book was lost
during the move to Australia and I think it may be some time before we can be
sure that all her friends and acquaintance’s have received this sad news.
Kind regards
Russel
Russel’s email address is:
russvickers@msm.com
Pete Jerdan (12th Jan '08)
Our grandson, David, (son of Christine &
Don Lemon) has gone solo on 21st December after 12 days’ tuition –
and now wants to be a pilot !! He finished grade 12 at boarding school last
month and will commence a commercial pilot’s licence course in early 2008. His
first solo resulted in two orbits on mid-downwind to keep him from landing in
line-astern with a B737!!…Grandparents are thrilled to bits. That makes FOUR
pilots in the family…(well, three-and-a-half counting me…)..
Pete & Bev Jerdan
From Me
(22nd Dec '07)
Hi Folks, Rose and I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a
Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Normally I would have added this message to the Home (Index) Page but, in my
inimitable style, I have managed to stuff it up. So, the Home Page is going to
have to remain un-edited for a while, until I can figure out how to restore it
to its former glory. I can't spare the time right now as we are off down to
Norfolk to spend Christmas with our remaining UK resident kids and grand
children.
Anyway, have a great festive season.
From
Simon (22nd Dec '07)
Hello Friends,
To start, may you have a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and Prosperous New
Year.
As promised, here is the last update for Crazie for the year 2007 - may there be
not too many for 2008!
This year had me in hospital only 3 times - each requiring a General Anaesthetic
- but only to inject cortisone into all the scar tissues of my face and hands. I
would like to say that it worked but there is no diminishing of the feeling of
skin contraction but maybe it has slowed down this process. My surgeon says he
doesn't want to operate again until, at the earliest, March 2008 in order to
allow the Anaesthetic to get out of my body, so this is good news for me! Other
than that, physio-therapy occurs 5 times a week on hands and neck. Enough of
me!!
We had a fabulous trip to Japan, Hong Kong and Shanghai last month - it was
great to catch up with familiar faces and places, so much so that it could
become an annual affair. As for the future, it will be in Cape Town for my (and
others) birthday celebrations in February next.
Please excuse the lack of Christmas cards from us this year but time has had us
too busy mainly with physio, so please accept this update as our wishes to you.
Thank you all for your wonderful support and encouragement this year - it has
been very much appreciated.
Simon and Jennie xx
Dave
Priest (23rd June '07)
Once again, sadly, I have some bad news for you. It's with the deepest regret
that I have to report that Dave (Charles) Priest passed away on Tuesday 19th June,
aged 68, after a
long and brave battle with a brain tumour. His partner of many years, Angela
Shilling and his family were with him at the end. No one will ever forget Dave
if, for nothing else, the humour, often colourful but always kind, that was his
hallmark. Dave will be sadly missed by Angela, his children Alexandra, Alisdair
and James and also grandson Oliver.
Angela has asked me to let you know that Dave's funeral will be held at St
Peter's Church, Church Street, Titchfield, Hampshire at 14:15 on Wednesday, 4th July and thereafter at the
Holiday Inn, also at Tichfield. Family flowers only, please. But if you would
like to make a donation to charity, it is suggest that it be to:
Angela's address is;
93 Thyme Avenue, Whiteley Village, Hampshire, PO15 7GJ. Her phone number is
01489 580245 and her email address is:
angela12p@yahoo.co.uk
Sheena Green (20th June '07)
It is with profound sadness that I have to tell you that Sheena, wife of
Geoff Green and mother of Susan and Sarah, passed away peacefully today, 20th
June, at their home in Western Australia. I'm sure I can say that all of our
thoughts and prayers are with Geoff, Susan and Sarah at this, their time of
distress.
Geoff tells me that it
is exactly 48 years, to the day, since they met and first flew together.
Geoff's address is:
10 Waterwheel Road,
Bedfordale, W.A. 6112,
Simon Creasy's Progress
(11th June '07)
Dear Friends,
Just a very quick update. I went into hospital a couple of
weeks' ago and under a General anaesthetic had several
injections of cortisone put in around the lower half of the
face.
The purpose of the cortisone is to soften the scar tissue (which
is causing a certain amount of discomfort) with view of doing
future injection sessions about every 3 weeks into the rest of
the face and neck. Luckily this will not require general
anaesthetic but only sedation! Perhaps I can accelerate that
process with Heinekin!
Anyhow, there will be no further reports for these injection
sessions but when further surgery is called for, next year I
believe, I will keep you all informed.
In the meantime, thank you all for your words of support.
Jennie and I really appreciate them.
Cheers-'n-Beers,
Simon Creasy's Progress
(30th April '07)
Hello Everyone.
For
those whom may be interested, here is the latest update in the
ongoing saga.
Last
week I had consultations with the 2 burns unit surgeons as to what
to do next. The major problem is the continuing contracting of all
scar tissue on the face - this is a normal phenomenon.
The
consensus of opinion was NO further surgery this year. This is VERY
good news for me - it gives the body time to get rid of the full
anaesthesia which lingers up to 18 months' after administration!
However (and there always is one) on June 1st, I return to hospital
to be fully anaesthetised so that cortisone be injected into all
scar tissue and this will be repeated every 6 weeks for the rest of
this year. The purpose of the cortisone is to soften the scar
tissue so the contracting is 'eased' but also allows the surgeons to
study as to where to do the incisions later on. The follow-up
injections will be done with a 'local' and not full anaesthetic.
So,
good news at last and to celebrate, Jennie and I are off next week
(for 2 weeks') to Hawaii and Fiji - lordy knows, we need a break!
As
always, thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and
support without which, life would have been far harder and recovery
longer.
God
bless you all,
Mike's Farewell (19th
Feb '07)
I have to say at the outset that I was not able to attend
Mike's funeral. This, I regret very much. Ann was aware of the reasons
and was understanding. I gather, however, that the service went off as
well as these things can, with a great degree of dignity and support
from the many who did attended. Tribute should be paid to daughter Jody
who was instrumental in the planning and organization. Son, Martin,
delivered a very lovely eulogy which was so touching and accurate that I
thought I would like to share it with those of you, like myself, would
have wished to, but could not attend. It reveals quite a lot about a
full life, much of which I certainly was not aware of. I have
Ann's permission to share it with you. It is, as follows:
Mike Hardy –
A Celebration of His Life
In our time we
meet thousands of different people, some we remember, some we forget,
but occasionally we meet one of life’s special people, someone you
certainly do not forget; Mike, my father was one of those very people, a
remarkable and truly brilliant man, who influenced, inspired and guided
many.
You cannot
understand what it means to have so many friends and family in this one
place; that would have overwhelmed him. Some have travelled from the
other side of the globe and we thank you all.
They say behind
every good man there is a good woman; (some ladies might argue that’s
the other way round), but in the case of Dad and Mum, never have truer
words been said.
From the late
50s when Mum and Dad met, through Dad’s spectacular rise in the Royal
Air Force, then moving halfway round the world to work for the airline
Cathay Pacific where he rose to the Board of Directors, Mum was there at
every step - encouraging, supporting, entertaining, prompting and
guiding. Mum was a vital part of Dad’s success and has been a tower of
strength since he was taken ill, which gave him the strength to fight
on.
As you can
imagine the last three years have been an incredibly hard time and
without the uncompromising and continual support and love from my sister
Jody, I hate to think how much harder it would have been for Mum. Thank
you Jody.
Dad was an only
child, brought up through the Second World War, later attended Worthing
High School. He applied for the Royal Air Force College Cranwell – for
every 350 that applied, only 30 were accepted. He was awarded his pilots
wings on 26th July 1954. Not only did he excel, but he gained
one of the much sort after slots to train as a fighter pilot.
The early 1950’s
were literally pioneering years in jet aviation and Dad and his
colleagues had to learn to fly hard to fight and survive. Of the 36
pilots that graduated with Dad, 8 were tragically killed in flying
accidents over the next decade.
Dad flew a
variety of aircraft including Meteors and Hawker Hunters from 1956 to
1958. He enjoyed low and fast flying and was also happy upside down,
hanging from his harness straps, often with his cockpit canopy mere feet
from the tail of the aircraft below – and all of this at 350 knots.
Not just a
skilled pilot, he was also a highly capable organiser and leader
destined for great things. As such he was selected as an ADC, or
Personal Staff Officer to the legendary Air Commodore Teddy Donaldson,
holder of the 1946 world air speed record and Battle of Britain veteran.
Dad was responsible for planning both Teddy’s daily military and social
life, something he did with great flair. Teddy had a profound influence
on both Mum and Dad and was one of Dad’s great supporters. With Teddy’s
endorsement Dad was selected to become a Qualified Flying Instructor
back at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1961.
After commanding
the Hull University Air Squadron, Dad became the Deputy Chief Instructor
at one of the Flying Training Schools training the next generation of
fighter pilots.
Dad loved the
flying, but found the office work and studying a bit laborious. In one
of his many inspirational moments, he decided he could save the students
a lot of wasted classroom time and the Royal Air Force money by cutting
out the academics and ground school. This was done by borrowing a cement
mixer and bricking up the front door of the school. I believe one
of his assistant bricklayers is here today.
Dad was a modest
man, never one to blow his own trumpet. One day while instructing a
student, there was a loud explosion in the back of his aircraft followed
by a worrying silence and a complete loss of power. He landed the
aircraft with great skill and was commended. The entry in his logbook
hardly mentioned the incident.
A very practical
man – he objected seriously to having to pay extra life insurance
premiums for what was an inherently risky occupation. His reasoning was
that his wife of two years was so attractive, she would receive plenty
of marriage proposals, and he was not going to let the lucky man get the
lump sum, as well as such an incredible lady.
After attending
Staff College and a subsequent staff job, Dad returned to flying, not
the fighters he may have wanted, but commanding a squadron flying the
large 4 engine Hercules transport. This was to be one of the personal
highlights of Dad’s flying career.
In 1973, years
of drought followed by torrential rain left thousands of Nepalese people
on the verge of starvation. The United Nations appealed for help in
distributing food. The British contribution arrived in the form of
aircraft led by Wing Commander Mike Hardy.
Nearly 2,000
tons of grain was delivered by parachute and freefall drop in demanding
high altitude mountainous terrain, often with no escape route for the
aircraft and crews if anything went wrong. Dad’s planning and leadership
ensured the food was safely delivered well ahead of schedule, before the
approaching main monsoon would have halted operations and people
starved. This was achieved despite 70 mph gusts of wind, short
airstrips, torrential rain and baking heat – Dad flew many of the
missions himself.
A glitch in the
supply chain from England meant the only entertainment available night
after night, after night, after night was the film Zulu. Dad joked he
could supply the names of 184 men who knew the film word for word.
Quoted in The
Daily Telegraph Dad summed up the operation saying “We have never
worked so hard in our lives, but given half the chance we would go back
and do it tomorrow”
Later he
commanded the RAF Station at Leeming in North Yorkshire – over 1,500
people and millions of pounds of her majesty’s aircraft. I treasure an
afternoon watching the Red Arrows past very low over just Dad and I, as
we stood near the end of the runway. Not many Dads could arrange that.
I wonder how
high he would have risen in the armed forces had he continued serving,
but he decided on a career change and took Mum to Hong Kong in 1976, to
a new life with Cathay Pacific Airways. What a life that proved to be!
Always dressed
immaculately in a pin striped suit, Dad was always impeccably well
mannered, and in many ways never left the military behind. Walking into
a colleague’s office one morning, he insisted on calling the gentleman
sir - which for an Australian was a bit of a surprise.
Dad’s rise in
Cathay Pacific was impressive, being promoted to General Staff Manager,
then into Flight Operations, soon becoming the first non airline pilot
to be Director Flight Operations.
Over the years
there were many challenges including operations during the first Gulf
War, events leading up to the handover of Hong Kong, the repatriation of
refugees back to Vietnam – all without incident or adverse press.
One of Dad’s
tasks was to negotiate annually with the aircrew. He would be away for
days meeting well into the night gathering cat naps at his desk before
re-entering the negotiations. He gained the pilots hard earned respect –
in fact they made him an honorary member of the union on his retirement.
Quoting from a
letter from Phillip Chen, the current Chief Executive “Mike made a
tremendous contribution to the success and development of Cathay Pacific
over the years. His hard work laid firm foundations for many of the
policies we have in place today, and we are sincerely grateful for his
steady stewardship in the Personnel and Flight Operations areas”
Mum was an
integral part of that success – welcoming new aircrew and their families
to Hong Kong, running the wives club, accompanying him to endless
functions and hosting tremendous parties – 300 people for drinks on
Christmas Eve – no problem!!
Dad loved
gadgets. One Christmas Mum brought him a small hand held radio receiver.
Our house overlooked the tricky approach to Kai Tak Airport so Dad used
to sit by the pool and occasionally watch the planes with the
unmistakeable green striped tails, listening to his pilots talking to
each other on the Cathay frequency. Somehow they found out and from then
on conversations became very short & business like.
Dad believed it
was important to set an example. In London at the beginning of the air
campaign for the first Gulf War, he decided that Mum and he should fly
straight to the Middle East to ease anyone’s concerns there was a risk
to commercial passenger aircraft. They did.
In his leisure
time he never did anything by halves, besides it allowed him to procure
more gadgets. You will remember Dad for his passion for sailing, but he
also skied and scuba dived. Not content with the mundane side of a sport
he started helicopter skiing – well into his 50s.
Dad badly broke
his leg in a skiing accident, neglecting to tell Mum so she would not be
able to worry. I think God was trying to tell him to slow down when he
broke the leg again – not in a skiing accident, but walking the dog
after a rather good Christmas lunch – probably not the dogs fault, more
likely wine topped up by the vast quantities of brandy in Mum’s
Christmas pudding.
I am not sure
where Dad gained his interest in the sea, but he sailed long before I
was born. Fortunately for Dad (and later for myself) the military
encouraged offshore sailing. He may have pushed it a bit far when one
Monday morning at his London office in the Ministry of Defence, he was
found snoring his head off, lying on his desk fully dressed in wet
oilskins.
Mum and Dad
owned a variety of boats, the last being the beautiful Orla. What a
boat, finished and equipped to perfection (of course full of gadgets),
checklists everywhere, lovingly maintained, and very hospitable – gin &
tonics were usually mixed by the jug, not the glass.
One of Dad’s
worries was that Orla would end up as someone’s weekend hobby lying on a
mooring. It meant the world to him that she now belongs to Dougie and
Trish who had been looking at her for two years. It was meant to be. Who
knows where you will see Orla around the globe in the future – happy and
safe sailing to both of you.
After 16 years
in Hong Kong and 4 years in Sussex, Mum and Dad could not have chosen a
better place to live than Hamble. As in the Royal Air Force, and Cathay
Pacific they made many good friends.
I owe a great
debt to friends in Hamble, especially members and staff of the Royal
Southern who have closed round Mum and Jody over the last few weeks,
indeed the last three years. I include Doctors and nurses, especially
Dr. Mark Thompson, whom many of you will know as Tommo.
The Royal
Southern Yacht Club was a passion, not just a club to Dad and I know he
got as much out of it as he put in. As he requested, rolled up next to
his left hand just now is his Royal Southern tie.
Dad would do
anything for Mum – over a year ago he and Jody arranged for my wife
Melanie and I to come to England from Western Australia for a family
Christmas. It was a surprise, and I mean a total surprise for Mum – she
opened the front door on Christmas Eve to a tuneless bunch of carol
singers – to find out it was Mel and I. Mum could not speak. Everything
had been organised with great secrecy & military precision.
Dad’s
grandchildren, James & Katie live in Kenya and wrote “we are sorry we
never got the chance to say goodbye, we love you”.
Although not
always the easiest man to get along with, you always knew where you
stood as he was a fair and totally honest man who believed in the rules
– perhaps a bit old fashioned, but always for the good.
Once you got to
know him, he had a wicked sense of humour and if you could not see him,
you could certainly hear him, that deep booming laugh.
Courageous to
the end, he fought with incredible strength – a determined, brilliant
and inspirational man.
Nothing will
ever fill the gap you leave; we will miss you with all our hearts, and
that you are at peace means everything.
Mike Hardy, a
man’s man and a true gentleman.
Martin Hardy
Hamble
Thursday 15th
February, 2007
Celebration of Mike's Life (5th
Feb '07)
Arrangements are now in place for Mike's funeral
and, equally importantly, a Celebration of his Life, full and rich, as
we all know, it was.
This will take place at 12 o'clock on Thursday 15th
February at St Andrews Parish Church in Hamble. This is the only church
in Hamble.
I am taking the liberty of including Ann's address,
which is:
22, Old Priory Close,
Hamble,
Southampton,
Hants SO31 4QP
Tel: 02380 561705
Please use this as you think fit but bear in mind
the sadness and grief which must be prevalent during this trying time.
Mike Hardy (3rd Feb '07)
It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that Mike passed
away peacefully at 19:30 on 2nd February, at home, after a long battle with
cancer. Ann and his daughter Jody were with him at the end. It goes
without saying that Mike was greatly respected by all of us and our
sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
At this time, I can only tell you that Mike's funeral will take
place in about ten days time but I will keep you informed if I get any
further news.
I have received the following from Brian Bawcombe
and I really have to post it. It says it all - Graham.
I Remember, by BJ.
I remember receiving letters signed by him in answer to my enquiries
about possible employment, but it was just a name and like the title,
Manager Staff Department, it meant little to me in 1978. I remember
receiving a ticket from him, Penang / Hong Kong return and a letter
inviting me to an interview.
I remember my first meeting with him, going into Staff Department, a
tiny office space manned by just a few and thanking him for the ticket.
I remember he muttered something about it only costing the Company the
price of an in-flight meal, but it meant far more to me.
I remember when he was appointed Director Flight Operations, the first
time someone from outside the Department had held that position and I
remember the hours of debate in the Aero Club that followed that
controversial decision. I remember the quiet, unpretentious attitude of
the man who assumed that role, taking up the challenge and meeting the
demands without fuss or fanfare.
I remember the large figure in dark, pin-stripped suits and the quietly
spoken greetings when passing in the corridors. I remember his laughter,
often the first sound that would betray his proximity.
I remember his warm and disarming hospitality at social evenings in his
home, where even the most junior in the group would be welcomed so
genuinely.
I remember my last meeting with him, over a beer at the Albion Hotel in
Perth a few years ago. I remember a man still full of dreams for the
future which sadly were never to be fulfilled.
I remember Mike Hardy, a man's man and a real gentleman.
Greetings from
the Rances (4th Jan '07)
In lieu of posting
cards, we are again sending electronically our wishes for
A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY
NEW YEAR.
We will
once more donate the money saved to local charities. Please feel free to
reciprocate in a similar manner!
Alison
and her family continue to have full and useful lives. James has
recently been appointed CEO of the new company Margaux Matrix (UK)
Limited, which very cleverly analyses the effectiveness of TV
advertising. Al continues her work as a special needs teacher at the
local primary school. Hannah & Sam are still doing well at their
secondary school. H is already planning what she will read when she gets
to uni. To this end, she & Al recently had a visit to Berlin! All, we
are pleased to report, are in rude health.
Jo is
still struggling a bit health wise, but this does not stop her leading a
very full life both with Tasia & Milenka (still growing like weeds!) and
supporting Simon’s career in the Army. Si is now back full time with the
Grenadiers, of which he is now Senior Major ( 2 i/c) based at Aldershot,
commuting weekly from their lovely cottage in Corton, Wilts.
Rach’s
& Andrew’s business, JustSo, continues to expand, to the
extent where they have acquired a unit on a light industrial estate
conveniently located in their village. Lucy continues to do well and is
very happy in her second year at grammar school. Harry is continuing to
progress academically and shines at his various sports.
For us
life continues apace in Tillington. Next year we are planning a festival
to celebrate the bicentenary of the famous Scots Crown built onto the
church tower and the centenary of the installation of the organ. We are
both on the planning committee and will be actively involved over the
three days of the festival itself. Bob, as usual, has been roped in to
help raise the funds. There is a small diminution in administration,
because we sold the Meribel chalet in June. Small, because the winding
up process of getting out of the French system still requires an
inordinate amount of paperwork!
Sue
continues her flower arranging, church choir and PCC work. Golf took a
bit of a backseat earlier in the year when she had a hysterectomy, but
has played a bit more recently. Although neither of us are playing as
much as we should, for various reasons. Bob damaged his right shoulder
whilst on holiday in Scotland, which was, and still is, holding him back
a bit. Shooting might have to wait a bit longer before recommencing,
although golf is now feasible.
We
were on quite a long holiday in Australia from October, planning to
return late November. We had visited WA, NSW and got to Queensland for
Adrian Bayley’s 60th, which turned into a surprise wedding to
Ann, his partner of five years! We were then on our way further north to
spend some time on Orpheus Island in the Whitsundays. However, we got an
emergency call to return to the UK where Sue’s brother, John, was
critically ill in hospital! We made it to the hospital at Cosham by
mid-afternoon the following day, courtesy of a ten hour time change and
a very efficient Emirates Airlines. John is, at the time of writing (28
Nov), stable and slowly responding to the medical care, which has only
been administered because of the very strong stance taken by Al, Jo and
Rach during a twelve hour vigil at the hospital the day before we got
back! We are so proud of the way they handled the situation and the
courage and determination they showed, which was initiated by Rach when
she went down to visit with her auntie Jean. We visited the hospital
daily for our first week back. Now we are hopeful John is getting the
correct treatment, we are going every other day. Jean still goes daily
and we are only an hour away, if she needs us. The jetlag is now over
and we are gradually getting our own house and garden in some sort of
order. The Christmas activities are also about to build up – you will be
only too aware! On which note, we will sign off.
With
love and best wishes
Bob & Sue
The Stuart-Menteths, alas a little late
at (3rd Jan '07)
This Christmas letter comes to you from
the sunny island of Penang lying a few miles off the north-west coast of
Malaysia. We have finally embraced modern technology so this year our
greetings and news update come to you by email rather than snail mail.
We are spending more time every year in
Malaysia and this summer we decided to buy an apartment on the northern
beach of Batu Ferringhi – an area well known to Hong Kong based
colleagues and their families from the days when we all seemed to bring
our children here for seaside holidays. Our property – a three-bed top
floor unit – provides us with a four hundred foot high view point over
the coast line and is located behind the Rasa Sayang hotel (which has
recently reopened as an expensive six-star spa-resort.)
The property is twelve years old and will
need knocking about and redecorating so we are keeping our other rented
property until all is resolved. And we are keeping our place on the Isle
of Wight in the UK for the time being.
To the children and their news starting
with our eldest, Oliver …
Oliver and Caroline are now starting
their third year of expatriate living in Annecy. Their big news was the
arrival last summer of Annalise, a sister to Georgina. The family has
taken to French living with relative ease and fluency so when visiting
one does not feel one has stumbled onto the set of ‘Allo - ‘Allo.
Oliver’s one-man business thrives however
he takes the rough with the smooth. Right now, for example, he is
surveying aircraft at exotic Luton airport - a less than delightful
winter destination. And yet there are compensations; during this last
year he was able to visit us twice in Penang whilst passing through and
he seems to have touched base on most of the sunnier continents. He has
also discovered that European Business packs its bags and heads for the
hills during both August and the Christmas holidays so he can exploit
those lulls to take a break with his own family. An unusual situation
for the self-employed who often cannot allow themselves to stop for a
holiday.
We are back in Europe during the summer
months and often drive to Annecy from the Isle of Wight. Or we take
easyJet to Geneva from Gatwick. When driving we cross the channel from
Dover to Boulogne with Speedferries. Twenty-nine pounds for a 55 minute
crossing (at 38 knots) – they are doing to the ferry services just what
easyJet and Ryanair have done to the short haul airlines. A super
service but you must book on the net. We usually night stop on the
journey, often at Troyes or Reims although more recently we have slipped
off sideways to Euro-Disney to revisit the ” Pirates of the Caribbean”,
the “Haunted House” and the “Silver Spur Steak House” where a carafe of
good house red is just 6 euros and the lamb chops come crunchy. For
accommodation at the park we choose the Holiday Inn – they offer an
internet rate of 68 euro for a comfortable family room – and they are on
the free shuttle bus route to take you to the entrance.
And next to Hester … who is still busy
marketing her hotels and has moved from south London to live in Crouch
End – not far from the Arsenal FC stadium. This has reduced her
commuting time so she can almost roll out of bed straight into her
Threadneedle Street office. She kindly invited her parents to stay over
the August Bank Holiday at the flagship hotel. Walking round the City
was distinctly weird – all was deserted, shops and pubs closed – just
the remains of fast food packaging and newspapers caught in the gusts to
be sent tumbling down the empty streets. Just like the “Day of the
Triffids”.
That same weekend Hester went to a Harley
Street clinic to have her eyes Lasiked to correct her myopia and
astigmatism. What a success that was! Her vision is now brilliant and
glasses are a thing of the past. It seems the modern techniques have
overcome the past problems which is reassuring seeing one only starts
life with one set of optical equipment.
Hester is always mobile – Japan most
recently for a walking / exploring holiday but often Europe at the
weekends. London City airport is conveniently close to her by the
Dockland Light Railway and Stanstead is accessible through Liverpool
Street station. She also found her way to Penang earlier this year and
combined her visit to us with a trip to Langkawi to attend a friend’s
wedding on the beach of the Andaman hotel. We expect to see her again
early next year.
And then to Clair - who in just a few
weeks time will be launching on her fourth decade.
Yikes! Tempus Fugit and he won’t be
coming back! Concurrent to this advancing age comes the news that she
has been elected a Fellow of the British Display Society – quite right
too; ten or so years ago they awarded her firstly their silver and then
their gold medal so it seems a natural progression. We are all very
chuffed.
She is still in Dubai with Al-Futtaim and
soon will have completed three years there. Housing is an eternal
problem (shades of Hong Kong) and she has had to move when rents have
risen out of her range. Her last move, a month ago, was to a new, more
affordable unit and she is now hoping that she will be able to stay in
one place for a few years.
Life is good in Dubai. Realistic salaries
with lots of responsibilities and no income tax – we well understand why
Clair is happy there. We spent ten days with her last October on our way
out here but had also seen her in England during the summer when she
came over for Annalise’s baptism.
As to us – we are kept busy here in an
expatriate circle that is centered round the E&O and Lone Pine Hotels. I
don’t think that life has changed much since we first visited Penang
thirty years ago – a bit of building, faster roads, longer runway,
internet and moby phones excepted - so a leisurely tiffin, a cold Tiger
beer or a peg of scotch all followed by a Cuban cigar and a siesta are
still seen as a very acceptable way of transitioning from am to pm.
And, for that matter, back again.
But of course life is not all sleeping –
this year we have explored northern Malaysia from coast to coast and as
far south as KL. We have cruised in the Med., the Andaman Sea and more
recently down the coast of Vietnam where I was able to re-introduce
myself to the Mekong river – 44 years after leaving Laos.
We have also discovered that we could
re-enter Hong Kong on our old ID cards and had retained our rights of
abode there; we have lunched on the terrace of the Oriental in Bangkok
and taken a seven hour train from Rome to Zurich through spectacular
alpine scenery, all accompanied by warm white wine and truly atrocious
cooking from the Italian managed restaurant car.
In short – we have been busy and we are
happy to wind up this year by wishing you all the best for the next one!
Elly & Ned's Christmas
Bulletin (31 Dec '06)
Greetings from Maroochydore once again.
What a dreadful year for the poor farmers.
Having spent some time on a farm (many years ago mind you), both
Ned and Mum Ruby can understand what the poor buggers are going
through. If it’s not floods, it’s drought and bushfires. All
this government procrastination about dams, purification of salt
water and such is really a waste of time. Those of us who have
done a bit of international travelling have all consumed
recycled water, whether we knew it at the time or not. Ned
certainly did, from the 1960’s on, and he is still alive. From
all reports, it’s also the cheapest way to go, so why the hell
don’t they just do it? Ned says it goes very well with Scotch,
too.
We’re still happily ensconced beside the
canal, feeding magpies, butcher birds, peewees, pelicans, ducks
and fish. We certainly don’t need any extra pets and it’s an
excellent way to get rid of suitable waste. Mind you, we do tend
to go through a lot of cheese with the butcher birds and
magpies; but the fish that gather at the end of the jetty will
eat anything! Talk about “garbage guts”. (But you go down there
with a line, and they are nowhere to be seen.)
A really wonderful part of the year was
Alan and Ronita coming home from UK at the end of July. An even
more momentous occasion was when they presented us with a
grand-daughter in October. Yes, we are grannies! Saskia Eleanor
was born 27 October at 04:04 a.m. at the Royal Brisbane Women’s
Hospital, weighing in at 8 lbs 2 ozs. Mum and baby are doing
very well, Dad will probably recover by about February and Elly
and Ned are over the moon. Ned’s mum Ruby is a great-grannie yet
again and she’s rapt as well. Refer photo top right. It’s lovely
to have them living in Brisbane, only about an hour away,
instead of on the other side of the world.

The next momentous occasion will be Evan
and Hana getting married in Adelaide in March. We’ll be flying
down for it and are really looking forward to gaining another
lovely daughter-in-law. Evan has been terrorising the Middle
East from the back of an Orion yet again. He finished his third
tour just a few weeks ago. He’s seriously considering a ground
job at “some time in the future”. We reckon Hana will
decide the time “sometime” next year!
Of course Elly and Ned both had birthdays
during the year and Ned is now officially allowed to retire,
having reached the fine old age of 65. He actually “retired”
from Aviation Australia in February this year, but found himself
running a Dash 8 course at Maroochy airport a few days later.
Then Air Niugini wanted a course in Port Moresby, followed
shortly after by Alliance in Brisbane. So he’s still at it, but
working as a “consultant”, whatever that means. So far during
the year he’s run seven F100’s and six Dash 8’s, so he’s been
busier than when he was working full-time! At least now the pay
is a bit better but that provisional tax is a pain.
Mum Ruby had her 91st. birthday
in June. A bit quieter this time, but still a terrific turnout.
It was a Friday so we made it a family pizza night with Kentucky
Fried variations. She now has a walker on loan from some good
friends and is planning to have GT stripes painted on it and a
horn fitted. We reckon a siren might be more appropriate.
Regents Landing and the local shopping centres are definitely
not ready for this!
Best wishes for Christmas and 2007 from us both and from Ruby
too.
Simon Creasy's Progress
(27th Dec '06)
I received the
following email from Simon and though you would like me to share
it with you - G:
Hello, everyone.
Firstly, A VERY MERRY
CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to you and
as we are somewhat in turmoil, please accept this electronic
card rather than the 'snail-mail' type.
I have been in hospital for
far longer than I had hoped but recovery has taken
additional time. Jennie moved into our rental house in
Mission Bay in Auckland and we will be there until the end
of January although we can stay longer if we wish. We will
be going to and from Taupo during this time, depending on
the medical teams' wishes.
If you are interested in the
medical happenings to myself, here goes, otherwise miss the
next two paragraphs! I was called into surgery on 22nd
November and this took 6 1/2 hours, consisting of removing
the 3 original grafts on the neck (as they had not really
been too successful) and replacing them with a single graft
of Integra (the man-made skin). Also both cheeks and chin
were replaced with Integra as well as both forefingers and
little fingers which were 'released' and grafted. A neck
brace was then fitted to keep the head, neck and shoulders
in one position to allow the Integra to 'bed-in'. Also hand
splints were fitted to immobilize them to any movement for
the same reason. As for feeding, this was done via a tube
through the nose into the stomach. I was not meant to speak
at all, but with visitors, mainly Jennie and also Jay Ahlers,
it was difficult not to! All-in-all, not a fun time.
Two weeks after the original
surgery it was back into it again, but this time for 'only'
four hours, where the Integra was covered with one layer of
my own skin, taken from two donor sites, one on top of my
head and the other the top of my leg. After a week all
dressings were removed and it was found that the Integra on
the chin had not taken and this meant that it had to be cut
away and replaced with my own skin. Otherwise all other
Integra sites were successful but it meant that I had to
stay longer in hospital to allow the chin and hands to
recover. Luckily, during the skin grafting session, they
took more than needed (standard procedure) and this was
used where required. From here it is just time.
Our daughter, Fleur is now
back in N.Z working (and loving it) at Huka Lodge here in
Taupo, so for us it is great to have her closer to home.
The Sydney apartment is now sold.
Once again, so many thanks
for your messages, thoughts and wishes you have sent - it is
so much appreciated.
With love and best wishes,
Simon
Newsy
Letter from David Baines - Unedited - I Hasten To Add (18th Dec '06)
Greetings for
the festive season, and apologies again this year for the lack
of Christmas cards
We have changed addresses, Formerly we lived at Xalet Grandalla
named for the national flower of Andorra, (narcissus poeticus)
which used to grow in our front garden but when the flowers
became overgrown by the cotoneaster I arbitrarily changed the
address to 24 which was the plot number on the developers plan,
thinking I would also remove the Grand Allah association in case
Mossad paid us a midnight visit, but the council bolted on the
new number on the front door without consultation, so we are now
number 19, Urb. Sorribes.
Everybody is getting older and Veronika took me to the village
hall and registered my name on the old folks register, not
because they are any help with medical assistance, but more
because the Andorrans have the longest longevity in the world,
83.4 years, with an active calendar. Among the expats the social
conversation increasingly turns to geriatric infirmity. Last
week we attended a dinner where the hostess gave a graphical
description of her husband’s colonoscopy, where she
simultaneously handed out sausage rolls providing, with the
little brown torpedoes wrapped in a pastry tube, an unintended,
but graphic simile in case the imagination failed
Veronika continues in good health and despite receiving a clean
bill of health from the cancer clinic in Toulouse, makes a
sentimental journey there every year for reassurance. In my own
case I find that as I pass the three quarter century mark I am
down to three and a half of the available five senses. About a
year ago following the observation of faint double images, I had
a cataract removed from my right eye but noticed that after the
operation I had a fuzzy spot floating in my vision, so I started
wearing glasses which are very successful because I can see the
spot much more clearly now.
I don’t smell as well as I used to. If at all. It is not to
advertise a lack of bathing but more to acknowledge an olfactory
inhibition that I have noticed over the last few years. Apart
from the chance that it could be an early indication of
Alzheimer’s disease, I pondered about the loss of one of my
senses and decided that if you are going to lose any of them,
smell is definitely the first discard, because for every spring
rose that sheds its fragrance for a few weeks on the April
evening, there are at least 25 flatulent topers along the bar
releasing there flatus every five minutes, and they do this for
12 months in the year. Indeed after my first sniff of a dried
fish shop in Hong Kong in 1967 the memory remains, and it occurs
to me that this might be the original cause of my problem.
Indeed I think that in an emergency it could be used for general
anesthesia.
Early in the year we followed the progress of the Airbus 380
which is assembled in Toulouse just north of Andorra. Sadly at
the end of the year it doesn’t seem to be doing too well
because, it is hinted, the German part, which is the tailplane,
doesn’t fit the French Fuselage, but while they were trying to
sort out this problem I remained impressed with the details of
the toilets, The standard fit has 20, with 3000 feet of piping
connecting to the septic tank in the rear of the fuselage, where
in the event of a crash only the economy class passengers will
be in the proverbial. The tank retains an ambient pressure
differential from the pressurized cabin which drives the ejecta
down the pipe at speeds reaching 130 mph, which must add an
entirely new dimension to the phrase ‘bowel movement’. They had
another problem during the high speed flutter testing, when they
drove the aircraft up to an impressive mach 0.96 nearing the
speed of sound, but they had to reduce speed and postpone the
test because the undercarriage doors started to fall off. So
while the European aircraft industry might be falling behind in
aircraft sales, it is becoming a world leader in sewage
disposal.
Having sold the BanBi last year to an aircraft dealer in Madrid
, the first aircraft that we built in Andorra, the Challenger,
was getting old and we gave it away to a group in Belgium who
promised to keep it flying. It needed a bit of an overhaul and
as it was towed away I knew how a mother felt as she gave her
child up for adoption. I thought I had given up flying for good
and let my license lapse and resigned myself to vicarious
enjoyment of the sport but attending an aerobatic contest in
Spain last week I met one of the aircraft owners who also had
served in Zweibrucken where we both flew F-86 Sabres for the
RCAF in the ‘50s. He insisted that I flew, with a copilot, one
of his three aircraft that had been entered in the competition
and apologised because it couldn’t be flown with too violent
aerobatics
having been
refueled for the flight back to Madrid. As I strapped myself
into the parachute provided and noticed the instruments, half in
Cyrillic script, the small gauge at the bottom of the instrument
panel was a G-meter which measures the centrifugal force in any
turn. The min/max readings which were retained on the dial were
plus 3.5 and minus 5.5 so I was very glad that nobody expected
anything too startling from me and after a few rolls and a loop
we came back in before per ardua ad nausea set in
We didn’t much traveling this year mostly on behalf of our
ailing labrador Malicia who was too infirm for neither the
kennels nor even a willing friend, mostly due to an increasing
incontinence and needing garden excursions at 3 am, but she died
in August and we promptly booked a cruise solely because it
started and stopped in Barcelona, which is just down the road.
The Ship was the Century from Celebrity Cruise Lines and was
generally OK except for the high prices for wines and drinks,
and three weeks after disembarking a small news item in the
paper stated that a cruise passenger from the same ship had
fallen overboard and was not found. Veronika said it was
probably when he got his bar bill.
The Parrot, Albert, remains with us, but there are several
willing bird minders that allow us to park him while we are
away. He is vocal almost to a point of conversation. His
favourite expression “it’s time to go.” is freely given to late
lingering visitors.
We had a group of guests in the living room and during
conversation it turned out that myself alone was the only male
in the room who had not attempted the Cresta Run, the bobsled
run at St Moritz. Perhaps I should research other non-achievments,
like failing to become an ace when I was a fighter pilot. For
information, an ace is any pilot who has destroyed five enemy
aircraft. Not many people know that I had three destroyed
aircraft to my credit but as they happened to be ones in which I
was flying, they didn’t count
We are going away from Andorra for an extensive voyage across
the Atlantic and around the Caribbean and will be absent from 17
Dec until 22 Jan.
Norm
(30th Oct '06)
The eulogy that
follows was written by Norm's son and passed to me by Dave Smith
with the option to amend it in length if I saw fit. Well, having
read it I found it so interesting that I could not bring myself to
cut it down in any way. I hope you, dear friends, agree with me.
EULOGY for DAD PART 1 -
Anthony Marsh
Norman John Marsh , Swampy or Swamp to his Air Force mates was born
in Kerang on 27 July 1921. He was born into the loving family of
Jack and Ellen Marsh and was their only child.
Norm's younger years were spent around the Bendigo district where he
went to school. He achieved his intermediate certificate or year 10
in 1935 before leaving school at the age of 14.
He loved life and played football, cycled and swam. He also played
the trumpet in the Municipal Band.
His first job was working with the Victorian Railways in Bendigo.
With the outbreak of WWII he enlisted with the RAAF in June of 1939
just before his 18th birthday. Norm started as a Stores clerk with
the rank of Aircraftman (AC) and progressed through to Leading
Aircraftman . During this time he attended night school having
already decided there were more exciting opportunities available
flying.
Swampy did his Initial and Elementary flying training in Australia
at Somers and Benalla in 1941 - 42.on Wackett aircraft.
On one occasion flying solo in a Wackett the fuel pressure gauge
broke, spraying fuel into the cockpit, followed by the engine
failing . Swampy selected a paddock and glided the aircraft safely
back to the ground . His instructor was relieved when he heard
Swampy and the aircraft were both OK, especially since they hadn't
covered forced landings as yet .
Swampy then headed off to Canada under the Empire Air Training
Scheme. He did his service flying training at Dunville on Harvard
and Yale aircraft , graduating in October1942 as a Sergeant pilot.
He then trained as an instructor and instructed on Harvard and Fleet
Finch aircraft for a year by which time he was a Flt Sergeant.
During his time in Canada he also kept up his swimming, winning
events in a swimming carnival at Camp Borden.
Swampy became well acquainted with the cold winters in Canada,
flying from Camp Borden to Ottawa in a Tiger Moth to check whether
his promotion to Pilot Officer had come through. Eventually Swamp
found out that he had already been promoted to pilot officer on 1
July 1943. Having found out he was now a commissioned officer he
duly made his way to the Officers Mess for dinner in his Flt Sgts
uniform . Unfortunately he was told rather unceremoniously that
until they received the paperwork at the base he would be dining at
the Sergeant's Mess. On completion of instructing duties he did
operational training on the Hurricane before converting onto the
Spitfire and joining No 453 Sqn RAAF, in England.
Initially operations were over Normandy where 453 was one of the
first Sqn's and the only RAAF Sqn operating on the ground in Europe
during the Normandy invasion. Swampy was also amongst a group of 453
pilots who were the first to operate Spitfires into Germany.
453 Sqn returned to the UK and commence dive bombing operations
against heavily defended V2 rocket sites around the Hague in
Holland.
On 27 Sept 1944 with 5 other spitfires over Arnhem in Holland , they
encountered approximately 50 ME109's. During the encounter they shot
down 4 ME 109's .Swampy got one of them.
On March 20 1945 Swamp's Spitfire was hit by ground fire. His engine
was losing oil pressure so he headed for the sea so he could be
picked up by Air Sea Rescue .Swampy climbed out onto the wing only
to find he hadn't disconnected his radio leads from the aircraft; so
he climbed back into the cockpit and disconnected before climbing
out again. Safely off the wing he parachuted into the cold sea. He
struggled to get into the raft until he remembered the correct
technique taught at an air sea rescue course.
453 mounted a rescue mission , but, unfortunately it was
unsuccessful. Thirty six hours in the water later, he eventually
drifted to shore and was picked up by the Germans. Swamp was taken
to hospital and treated for immersion, his feet had restricted
movement for the next two months . He was then interrogated and
transferred to a POW camp for airmen near the Baltic Sea. The POW
camp was liberated by the Russians who then tried to move the airmen
further east , but fortunately the Americans liberated them a second
time and airlifted them to safety .The Russians were having second
thoughts about the fate of these airmen with the looming of the Cold
War.
Returning to Australia , a whole new life now lay ahead of Norm .He
had joined the RAAF as an aircraftman at 17years of age and had been
discharged 6 ½ years later at the age of 24 as a Flight Lieutenant
and a Spitfire pilot. It had been hard work loads of fun and a real
adventure. He didn't even have his Australian drivers license as yet
, but that's another story .
I'll now hand over to Richard to tell you about Dad's life after the
war.
Dad's Eulogy Part 2 - Richard (Dick) Marsh
After returning from the war, Norm began his civil aviation career
with Australian National Airways in March 1946. During his time with
ANA, he flew DC3's and 4's continuing to do this until 1953. During
this period, he met and married his beautiful wife, Roma and they
had their 1st son, Simon in Melbourne.
In order to save sufficient money for a house in Kew he left
Australia's shores for Burma and a busy job flying DC3's for Union
of Burma Airways. Not one to shy away from hard work, Norm flew
relentlessly in the next 12 months operating in and out of Rangoon.
During his time in Burma, Dad was operating at the pioneering edge
of Asian aviation. Some of the villages they were operating into had
not seen a white man before, let alone a great silver bird. Norm and
Roma's second son, Anthony was born in Burma in 1953.
The lure of bigger aircraft hailed and Dad was enticed over to Hong
Kong and a career with Cathay Pacific Airways in 1954. Throughout
his time in Cathay, he flew a range of aircraft from the Douglas DC3
to the Boeing 707. During his conversion to the DC6 in the United
States, he flew with Bill Bridgeman. Bill was the Douglas test pilot
who tested the Douglas "skyrocket" to Mach 1.8 and 80,000ft. This
remarkable feat by the Douglas test pilot was achieved in August
1951. As a testament to Dad's natural flying ability, Bridgeman
later remarked that Norm would be a welcome addition to the test
pilot scheme.
Hong Kong was a pretty relaxed expatriate affair back then, not the
modern metropolis it is now. The parties were formal but
occasionally became rather less so when, ladies in ball gowns and
men in the black ties and suits, had to journey home in a 'wallah
wallah' crossing the harbour from Hong Kong Island back to Kowloon
after all the ferries had stopped at midnight.
During his tenure at Cathay from 1954 until 1973, Norm climbed
quickly up the ranks of the steadily growing airline and finished
his time in HKG as the Director Flight Operations. He had assisted
in moving the small airline from piston aircraft through the
turbine-engine phase and into the jet era. Not bad for the boy from
Bendigo who left school at 14. Jill and I were both born in HKG
during those early years there.
It was in his last years in Hong Kong that the company nearly lost
there 'boss', courtesy of another of the Cathay pilots. One of the
senior pilots had taken Norm for a ride in an old vintage Stearman
biplane. Dad was sitting in the front seat with the flying pilot
directly behind him. Dad was keen to get some photos and to get the
right shots had unfastened the shoulder harness. Without warning,
the pilot behind, who shall remain nameless, rolled the aircraft
inverted. Dad wasn't ready for this and as the camera shot out of
the cockpit he reached his arms up to catch it. You can imagine the
horror of the pilot flying seeing the boss in front, arms extended,
camera disappearing and shoulder straps flowing in the breeze.
Fortunately, Dad had his lap strap on and was still firmly secured
to the seat. The appearance of dropping the boss into the waters
below must have left an enduring imprint on the pilot concerned!
After retiring early from Cathay in 1973, Dad and Mum returned to
Melbourne where Dad was promptly snapped up as an examiner of airmen
for the Dept. of Civil Aviation. During his employment with DCA, he
obtained hid first wide body endorsement on the Airbus, A300
During Norm's flying career, he went from flying 'warbirds' such as
the Hurricane and Spitfire, the early transport aircraft like the
DC3 through to the first twin-engine, wide body aircraft, the A300.
In Aug 1975, in his professional capacity with DCA he was also
fortunate to fly as an industry observer on the Concorde from
Melbourne to Singapore and back. His commercial flying career had
spanned some of the first airliners through to the wide-body era and
included a flight at over twice the speed of sound and just a shade
less than 60,000ft altitude. His 40 - odd years of aviation resulted
in over 20,000 hours flying experience, much of that in hot humid
and testing mountainous terrain.
Throughout his aviation career, the one thing that struck my
siblings and I was the humble understatement he made of all his
significant and somewhat remarkable achievements.
Dad was always one to lead by example. This quality resulted in so
many of his work colleagues commenting years later what a wonderful
and supportive pilot, manager and mentor he had been to many of
them.
Norm was never afraid to take on new challenges and his progress
through his flying career is testimony to this. He was forever
learning and ensuring he was always the quintessential professional.
I will now hand over to Simon to talk a little about Dad's
experience post-flying although, as will become apparent to most, he
remained very connected to the aviation world.
Dad's Eulogy Part 3 - Simon Marsh
Anth and Rich have covered Dad's working life and earlier which
highlight many of his qualities. Dad was a multi talented man, a
great all round sportsman, a natural when it came to flying and in
his business life, obviously highly respected for his good judgement
and leadership. But it was his people skills and his values that he
was most admired for and the reason for his success as a person, and
most importantly he was a family man who always put the family
first.
After Dad retired, his life continued to blossom with new interests,
new adventures and new challenges. Such was the strength of the
relationships that Dad developed over his life from a young adult
until his retirement that they continued through his retirement to
now. He valued the friendships that he developed along the journey
of his life and he put in the effort to ensure they were maintained.
He was constantly attending various functions such as Retired Pilots
Assoc, the Early Birds, the Normandy Veterans, Cathay functions and
so on.
He never lost his love for Cathay Pacific, the aviation industry and
his old mates from 453 Squadron. You would have thought he was still
employed by Cathay the way he followed its continuing successs and
development since he left in 1973 and this was strengthened when
Richard followed in his footsteps in 1984. In his retirement, there
were numerous trips to Hong Kong just to make sure everyone at
Cathay were doing the right thing by his beloved airline.
Dad always had an adventurous spirit, which is evidenced from the
stories that Rich and Anth have already related and these continued
into his retirement. Roma and he were always discovering new places
to travel, Dad had an insatiable appetite for exploring something
new. In the last twelve months at the age of 84 and not in mint
condition he and Mum went on a cruise around New Zealand. As much as
he enjoyed it I think he was finally ready to concede that extended
overseas trips were a thing of the past. One trip that epitomized
his adventurous spirit was when Mum and he set off at 70 years of
age with Dan and Marj Grabau, two friends of a similar age to fly
across Australia in a single - engine Piper aircraft. With the
incessant roar of the engine and very basic comforts they set off
from Balranald and station hopped across Central Australia to Broome
and back.
However, I think Dad's final trip three weeks ago was one of his
most memorable. Anth, and his son Christian, Dad and I travelled to
Temora in country NSW to attend an air show at a well known air
museum owned by David Lowey to celebrate the purchase of a Spitfire
known as FUP, which was originally in Dad's Squadron 453. Ten of
Dad's old squadron mates were there and they were all treated like
Living Legends. Even our Prime Minister attended and was privileged
enough to have his photograph taken with our flying heroes. Even
though Dad's health was not good leading up to the trip there was no
way he wasn't going. His excitement in the weeks leading up to the
trip was like some little kid waiting for their first trip to Luna
Park.
As Dad moved into retirement, he found new interests and new
friends. Golf and Green Acres were no exception. Typical of Dad, he
got stuck into golf with the trademark passion and energy that he
pursued all his interests. He also quickly gathered a whole new set
of friends and became a popular figure around the golf club. In
those days he would play competition three days a week and would
also have a chip and putt on many other days, much to the despair of
Mum. Such was Dads positive outlook on life he retained his full
membership at Green Acres up until last August and he continued to
talk about making a come back over the last twelve months even
though he could barely walk to the end of the driveway. In fact,
such was his determination that he went to the Bulleen driving range
with Richard one day for a practice hit. That sums up Dad. He never
gave up on anything even when the odds were stacked against him. He
had this amazing positive attitude about life and people. He never
said a bad word about anyone. He always saw the positive side of
things.
Finally, the family and particularly Roma were the most important
things in his life. Dad and Mums marriage was made in heaven. After
nearly 60 years of marriage, they were still as solid as a rock. Dad
adored Mum and it was so obvious right up until last week end. And
Mum was so supportive of Dad. The support she gave to him
particularly over the past 2 years when his health started to get
the better of him was an inspiration. Dad was a fantastic role model
for us, his children. He supported and backed us on our decisions,
encouraged us with our dreams, but always after providing careful
guidance and counsel in the process. He never imposed his views but
made them known in a subtle kind of way. He also welcomed our
partners into the family accepting them as they were, given they
were from quite different backgrounds. He embraced Sue Brennan,
Susan Bowron, Jane Gorman and Mick Harper as if they were his own
family and I know they each had a close and loving relationship with
Norm. The values he taught us by his actions are reflected in our
lives and the lives of our children. He had a special relationship
with all of the 13 grandchildren and he will leave a lasting legacy
with them. The love they showed him in his last hours is a testament
to this relationship.
Dad, even though you are no longer with us, the memories you leave
with us all, family and friends, and the things you have taught us
will last forever.
Bon Voyage from all of us, may your last flight be the best ever.
Norm
Marsh (25th Oct '06)
I have received the
following from Dick Marsh and I quote it to you verbatim as I am
sure many of you will want to respond as I would if I were able:
I believe you have been in
contact with Dave Smith regarding my father, Norm Marsh. Could you
post this on your site for those who may be in the vicinity of
Melbourne and who may wish to attend the funeral service.
Dad’s funeral will be held
at St John’s Catholic Church, at
1100 on Friday the 27th Oct.
Refreshments will be at my
house, 7 Higham Rd Hawthorn East.
Jane and I will welcome all
of Norm’s old colleagues and friends so please encourage anyone to
come along and celebrate Norm’s
The address of the church
is:
52 Yarra St
Heidelberg
Victoria
Norman Marsh (24th Oct '06)
Sadly I have to report that Norm
Marsh passed away on the 22nd at his home in Melbourne. He had been ill
for some time. I'm sure that many of you will remember Norm with
fondness and would have wanted to know.
I have received the
following from Dave Smith and I think it succinctly reflects all our
thoughts:
Norm's passing is of great sadness to me, not only because we had a
very close working relationship in the Company, but more
particularly because he was a man of very high character, a
dedicated family man, great company socially and of a very friendly
disposition. Whatever the occasion you would always be greeted
with a ready smile, even in difficult times, and we had a few.
I first met Norm when he joined CPA around 1955. His flying career
started with service in the RAAF in WWII as a Spitfire pilot.
After the war he joined Australian National Airlines, from there he
went to Union of Burma Airways and then to Cathay Pacific Airways
where he rose, through the ranks, to the position of Director of
Flight Operations.
In the early days the Operations Department was not very well
organised. The Company was struggling financially and we were
understaffed. However, through high morale and dedication from all
levels of staff, the Company's fortunes gradually improved. The
flying staff deserve a special mention as they were driven extremely
hard at times, but, even so, in those days, they were always
cooperative, no flight time limitations, no guaranteed days off.
From the Head Office in Hong Kong to the junior employees of the
Company there was a strong desire to make the Company succeed. The
work ethic was excellent. All Departments joined in, worked
together and helped each other in times of difficulty. It was on
this basis that the foundations of Cathay Pacific were formed.
Gradually we were able to set up a Staff Department, a Ground
Training Department, a Briefing Office and Aircraft Movements
Department and to purchase a Flight Simulator.
I could go on at length, but suffice it to say that Norman Marsh
played a huge part in getting these Departments up and running.
This was in addition to his flying duties and in the earlier days,
before Aircraft Movements was organised, to handling aircraft delays
at out-stations, perhaps at midnight or early hours of the
morning. This could involve re-rostering of crews, repositioning
of crews, re-scheduling of aircraft. He would probably be rostered
out on a flight later in the day. The work load was heavy to say
the least, but as said earlier he would always turn up with a smile
on his face ready for the next day's work. He was a wonderful man
and I thank him for his friendship and great support over the years.
Lorna and I extend our deepest sympathy to Roma, Jill, Simon,
Anthony ,Richard and their families. He will be sadly missed by
his family and his many friends around the world.
A Bit Of News from Kim Sharman (13th
[Friday] Oct '06)
At last, I hear you cry! Trust
all is well with you and the family.
Had an interesting time lately with meeting a few ex CX colleagues.
Met up with Barrie Hesketh in Brighton in September, who has set up an
interesting business in the fashion accessory trade. He seems very happy
and has just recently remarried. Didn’t have a lot of time together as
it was fairly late at night when we met up.
Spent an enjoyable evening with Hans Haan at the travellers Club in
London, where he was one of six wine makers from around the world at a
tasting. He has done very well with his wines, and has recently won the
Gold Medal in a world wide competition for the best blended wine. Having
sampled it, it is terrific stuff. He has created a huge reputation for
himself in this field and looks very well on it. I have passed the URL
of the site on to him. His email address is excellence@haanwines.co.au
Found myself being an entry in Brian Mercer’s book on page 199! I missed
the chance to catch up with him when he was in London. Apparently Paul
Jenner arranged a do for him at the RAF Club which is threatening to
become an annual event.
Keep up the good work. It is much appreciated although I know it is a
chore doing it. I have the same problem with my commercial site!
Kind regards,
The "do" mentioned above
apparently did take place and the picture, below, sent to me by Brian
would appear to prove it:
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Johnny Mac's Send Off (30th June '06)
Not unexpected, but it
would appear that the send off for Johnny was really well attended. It
only proves how well thought of he was. As a tribute, I have copied a
couple of reports which I have received. The first is from Brian Mercer
to which I have added a plug for his forthcoming book - poor old chap,
he really needs the royalties. Seriously, I do hope it's a great
success. The second is from another Brian of Bawcombe flavour which,
you'll agree also says it all. I've also added a group picture sent to
me by Adam Takach, thanks, Adam.
Brian Mercer
How are you? Geoff Green told
me about this website and before you wonder what planet I've been hiding
on, I have to say that I am very new to this IT stuff and frankly not
very good at it.
Amazing turn-out for Johnnie
Macs' send off yesterday; there must have about 300 people; some I
hadn't seen for 30 yrs. Including Bob Crocket and Nick Carter who came
all the way from UK just for the funeral. But then John was one of the
really good guys and stood out like a shining light when I joined Cathay
in Jan. 68.
There is an attachment to this
e-mail which will probably interest you and it all started about 2 years
ago when I had a letter from an aviation author in the UK called David
Watkins. He was writing a book about the DeHaviland Venom and I was able
to help him with stuff about the Venom ops. in Malaya during the
fifties. (Malayan Emergency period. He told me that I should write a
book. I thought about it for a while and then decided to have a go. To
my surprise Pen and Sword Books of Barnsley UK liked it and are
publishing it any time now.
The book cover design is
attached. (not attached -G) There are some mistakes on it ( they
couldn't even get my name right) and their first proof was a shambles so
I have my fingers crossed that they make a better job of the final
product. There is a long chapter dealing with Cathay. My best wishes to
you and your family. Brian Mercer.

Brian Bawcombe
Managed to transit London and
Hong Kong for a quick trip home from Copenhagen, and was then able to
attend John McCausland's Funeral.
Although John left Hong Kong
around the same time that I joined Cathay Pacific, I was fortunate to
meet him in Perth during our retirement years and spent many enjoyable
'last Tuesdays of the month' in the company of this gentle and
charismatic man. His early life and career in Cathay was largely
unknown to me, but today, thanks to the courage and pride of his
siblings, all of whom gave testimony to their father, I have a greater
appreciation of the person I was so proud to call a friend.
Of John's six children, one
related a story today of a woman, a single parent, who attended a Beauty
Consultant's Course with her in Hong Kong, with the intention of
establishing an new income earning career. When John's daughter told
him the woman had failed the course, John wrote a cheque to pay for the
woman to do the course again and sent it anonymously to the school with
the instructions that they were to ensure she passed the course this
time around! This was really a measure of the man I had come to know.
The Service, held today in Perth
was attended by some 200 people, with Cathay being well represented by
the likes of Bob and Shelagh Dewar, Brian Mercer, Hal Dyball, Bob
Crocket, Brian Floyd, Geoff Green, Brian Lewis, Haden Ashley, Geoff
Perret, Adam Takach, Les Hawks, Frank Laity, and Clarrie Turner. I know
I may have messed up seniority or missed out some others along with
wives and partners, but that's without intent.
Jet lag precluded me joining the
guys for a few beers but I'm sure somewhere in town today, glasses were
raised by many old friends in memory of a really great guy that we were
all so fortunate to know.
(I have to add that BJ was a
bit reluctant to let me publish his wee report, feeling that it might
appear that he's hogging the website. Bless him, I don't know what I'd
do without his inputs so I've taken an editorial decision and added it
anyway - G)
John McCausland (13th June '06)
It is with the deepest
personal regret that I have to tell you that John passed away peacefully
this morning. He died at home, aged 76, his family were with him.
I am sure you will all agree
with me when I describe John as a true gentleman, in the truest sense of
the word. I know that anyone who was fortunate enough to be involved
with Johnny whilst he carried out his duties in the check and training
department was, indeed, a lucky student. Nothing phased him and his
approach was always with kindness and understanding. He never changed
and treated everyone, both professionally and socially, with an easy
going grace that placed him high in all of our esteem.
I pass on, to his wife, Lisle,
daughters and son, all
our thoughts, sympathy and prayers. Well done, during a rich and
fulfilling life, a true and honest gentleman.
Lisle' address is:
3 Prospect Street
Claremont, 6010,
Western Australia
If any of you would like to
add anything, please let me know and it shall be done.
Simon Creasy - Good News (28th May
'06)
I have just received the
following email from Simon which I present to you, with his permission,
in its entirety as, I'm sure you will agree, represents good news
particularly since he obviously still retains his sense of humour:
Hello Everyone,
I have, yesterday, come out of 2 operations in Auckland this
month. I went in on 10th May to have releases on hands, lower lip
and both eyes. The hands took so long that the surgeons ran out of
time and I had to go back 2 weeks' later to have the job completed.
Since the accident in October last, I have undergone some 11
operations and the surgeon has said I have enough anaesthetic in me
so no more ops this year to get rid of the chemicals. This is good
news as it means we can 'hibernate' in Taupo for recovery and we are
vacating the rental apartment here in Auckland as of the end of this
month. We will come up to Auckland as and when the docs want.
Our future plans are to go to Oz in November and South
Africa in February next year and in the meantime, please keep in
e-mail contact and, once again, on behalf of Jennie, our girls and
myself, so very many thanks for your words of encouragement and
prayers and wishes for the future - all muchly appreciated.
Very best regards to everyone,
Simon 'Crazie'.
Elly and Nev Edwards (24th April '06)
Received the following from
Nev and have his permission to publish it - thanks Nev, - G. Please,
every body else, I beseech you, how about an input.
14
April 2006.
Hi
Graham and Rose,
Awfully sorry not to have been in touch. You know only too well how it
is. I am also lazy, indolent and recalcitrant. Just ask Elly.
Since
Cyril and Dorothy Carey left for Mudgee, the only ex-CX people I ever
hear from are young Peter Jerdan, who I believe is removing himself and
Bev from their Buderim residence for more serene pastures, and there is
that strapping young chap Adam Takach, who resides in Sydney and is thus
only available at the end of either a telephone or email.
I
retired from Aviation Australia on Feb 3rd. this year. Elly
and I thought that this was to be the beginning of a well-deserved rest
away from the dreaded noisy airborne things that we have all been
involved with all of our working lives.
Next
day, a phone call had me preparing for a Dash 8 course, starting on the
8th Feb. “Oh well,” I thought, “one more won’t hurt, and it
is a little money in the bank.” I also arranged that I could
conduct it at Maroochy airport, just over the river from home. Halfway
through the course, there was a call from my old mates in Air Niugini.
Could I possibly see my way clear to do some ground courses for their
Fokker 100 pilots? “Oh well.” I thought, “One course won’t hurt.”
Suddenly, there are five courses this year and probably some more next
year and I’m on a contract! And maybe they want me to do their Dash 8’s
as well. I’m more in demand in retirement than I was when working for a
living! Fortunately, Elly has been blessed with a fine sense of humour.
Otherwise, all is well here in Maroochydore. Our youngest son Alan and
his wife Ronita have indicated that they will be coming home for good
late July. That means they’ll be staying with good old mum and dad of
course. We think they will be after jobs in Brisbane as they are
definitely townies, not country. Also, Evan and his girlfriend Hana will
be getting married in Adelaide early next year, so we’ll be off down
there for the wedding.
Anyway, hope you and the family are all well. Somehow, I don’t see us
getting to go in your direction unless we get a lottery win, so if you
get to come in this direction, please email to arrange a small libation
or three.
Love
the website. Keep up the good work.
With
very best wishes from Elly and myself,
Nev.
The Stockels - Keeping It In The
Family. (8th April '06)
Dear Graham,
A few thoughts for your great web site.
The Stockels.
Karen and Jennifer Stockel both married Cathay Pilots and both Mark
Prochazka and James Morison are now Airbus Captains, Mark is a
Boeing man and will return to the Boeing fleet as soon as possible,
James likes the Airbus schedules. For those of you who remember
Captain Neil Morison who was killed in the Convair crash over
Vietnam, James is his eldest son. Neil's younger son Andrew is also
a Captain with Cathay.
As most of you are probably aware, Cathay has recently made a huge
order, over 100 aircraft, for Boeing 777 and 787 derivatives and
intends to standardize on Boeing aircraft. The older 747's will be
phased out or become freighters.
Jane and I still live on the Gold Coast and travel for about 4
months of the year as Jane's company is contracted to do all the
design work for one of the largest factories in China, this takes us
to Hong Kong for an average of one week every month which is great
to see the girls and the grandchildren.
We are still active in the Bentley owners and drivers club and
participate in most of the rally's. My golf got worse and worse, so
now I have taken up bowling which is more relaxing now I have passed
the 70 mark.
Kind Regards,
Peter & Jane Stockel
.
Much appreciate the complement - G
Don Delaney (3rd April '06)
Sadly, I have to report that Don
Delaney passed away on 14th February, this year. Many of you would know
Don as Engineering Manager of Cathay Pacific. A private, family funeral
was held. I know all our sympathies go out to his wife Wanda.
Looking For (12th March '06)
Ann Lovegrove and Heather Hanson
are trying to get in touch with David or Gwen Roden. I have not been
able to help. If any of you good people can assist, Ann's email
address is on the "Contacts" page.
The Perth Mafia Xmas Bash (25th Jan
'06)
A bit late in
publishing due to computer crisis, so apologies to Hen Hart. I do wish
the UK mob got together like this.
Barry Palmer 2nd Jan '06)
A bit late, but I have
received the following message from Peter DeSouza:
Perhaps you would like
to promulgate the sad news that Barry Palmer died on the 21st December
from cancer (aged 68). Barry was a lifelong friend of mine and well
known to many Cathay personnel of our vintage. He spent most of his
working life in the travel industry and frequently visited HKG with
various groups in tow. Married to Hiroko, a charming Japanese lady, he
lived for many years in Japan and had recently retired back there to the
family home in Otsu.His cancer was only recently diagnosed and assessed
as incurable.
Ray
Hanna AFC (2nd Dec '05)
It is with deep personal
sadness that I have to report the following. I say personal since I was
honoured to know Ray quite well and was lucky enough to have him as my
instructor whilst undergoing an aerobatic flying instructors course, in
Hong Kong, a long time ago. The following text is copied from an email
that I have received via Adam Takach, I hope the writer, Tudor Owen,
will forgive me for the copy, as it says it all.
"With deep sadness I report that my good
friend Ray Hanna passed away yesterday. He passed away peacefully, aged
77 years.
Ray joined the Royal Air Force in 1949 having
learned to fly in New Zealand in 1947/48. Following training on the
Prentice, Harvard and Meteor he was fortunate enough to fly such piston
types as the Tempest V, Sea Fury, Balliol and Beaufighter. His first
operational posting was to 79 Squadron, 2ATAF flying FR9 Meteors. Ray
first led a team of four Hunters in 1957. In the fifties, he flew nearly
all the early British jets including Vampires, Venoms, Attackers, Sea
Hawks, Swifts and Javelins. In 1963/64 he was a member of the College of
Air Warfare Meteor Team and was selected for the newly-formed Red Arrows
as No 3 in 1965.
To the best of my knowledge, he remains the longest serving Leader in
the history of the team.
Ray's leadership is widely regarded as making the Arrows the
world-renowned aerobatics team they ultimately became and, in
recognition of his contribution, he was awarded a bar to his AFC
previously awarded for several feats of airmanship.
Ray retired from the RAF in 1971 for a new career in civil aviation,
initially on the Boeing 707 with Lloyd International Airways followed by
seven years with Cathay Pacific, again with the 707, and for two years
the Lockheed L-1011 Tri-Star. In 1979 he was asked to head a private
diplomatic 707 company with world-wide operations.
With his son Mark, who was so tragically killed flying an Me109 six
years ago, he built up a vintage warbird collection at Duxford which
ultimately became the renowned 'Old Flying Machine Company.' In addition
to achieving acclaim on the display circuit, the OFMC has numerous movie
credits
Ray was undoubtedly one of the finest display
pilots ever, and regarded by many as the best of the best. Ray
displaying his famous Mark IX Spitfire MH434 was a joy to behold, and a
sight which will be sorely missed on the display circuit.
Far more important, he was a fine man. Not only did I admire him
enormously, but I regarded it as an honour to have been a friend.
Tudor Owen."
Simon Creasy Accident (19th Oct '05)
I'm sure that many of you will
have already learned that Simon had an extremely serious accident on the
18th when his Lanceair aircraft apparently suffered an engine failure.
The accident occurred about 20
kilometers south of Taupo near a place called Te Rangiita. Simon was
accompanied by a nephew from London and apparently both have suffered
severe burns.
Notably, and not surprisingly,
Simon has been highly praised for his ability in getting the aircraft on
the ground under extremely difficult circumstances and in particularly
difficult terrain.
I'm sure we all pray for his and
his cousins speedy and complete recovery. I will keep you posted if I
have further news.
My thanks to all of you who sent
me details of the unfortunate event.
Ray & Elaine Kenneally
Hi, Graham
You may certainly put my email address on the list. You never know,
someone may even try to contact me.
I now live at Phillip Island which is about 100k southeast of Melbourne.
We have been here for almost 15years.
On return to Oz I went to work for Australian Airlines but got caught up
in the infamous pilots strike and decided it was no longer a nice place
to work so move down to the "Island" Life is quiet and the only person
from Cathay apart from Ron Taaffe recently has been Bruce Arscott who
has a holiday home down here although I haven't seen or heard from him
for some time now. He keeps changing his email address and my mail has
been returned so I have been waiting for him to contact me,
I sometimes manage to get a bit of free time - being retired I no longer
have any free time and I wonder how in the hell I was once able to find
time for work . I am happy to knock up the odd article occasionally
Talking of the pilots strike, I did meet Gary Cooper back then and he is
the only person I know who actually gained by the fiasco. He applied for
a job at the time and hoped he may get a r/h seat on the 707 freighter
Ansett operated at the time - he got a 767 command and for once I saw Gary
smile and was a little happy
Will get back to you
(Ray's address is on the
Contacts list - G)
Geoff Gratwick (7th June '05)
It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Geoff passed away
on the 24th May after a long battle with cancer. Geoff, who was General
Manager Flying just before his retirement was respected by all and was a
true gentleman. I'm sure I speak for you all in extending our sincere
sympathy to his family.
Ron & Kay Taafe (1st June '05)
Hello Graham.
Kay & I have been living in
Melbourne for a year now & we are enjoying it. We moved here
from Forster on the NSW north coast to assist with our Daughter,
Jodie's wedding last December. We live on a Greg Norman designed golf
course estate called Sanctuary Lakes, just up the road from the old
Point Cook Airforce Base. The course is to hard for a thrasher like me
but the living so close to the city, is great.
I still have an interest in
vintage & classic cars & presently drive a 66 E Type that Kay & I first
rode in over 30 years ago. It belonged to an old friend in USA & we
brought it to Aust when he passed away.
I have joined a group that
is restoring an old B24 Liberator. It was used as a home (minus wings)
after the war & had lain in a field, overgrown with trees for years :-
http://www.users.bigpond.com/paulmcc/b24/b24.htm lets you have a
look at it.
Roger
Ron
It was while I was being
introduced to the other members of the group that I bumped into Rodger
Williams, ex F/E who is also living in Melbourne. He is well & sends his
regards.
Hope this finds you all happy &
well as we are.
Cheers,
Ron & Kay.
Bill Jones. (17th May '05)
I've just
received the following sad news from Peter & Bev Jerdan. I'm sure I
speak for all of you, who knew Bill that our thought go out to Jan.
"To all
ex-Cathay staff who knew him, this is to advise that Bill Jones died
peacefully on Sunday 15th May . His funeral will be conducted
at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Buderim at 11.00 am on Friday 20th
May 2005. Jan Jones’ address is:
31 King Street
Buderim QLD 4556
Phone (07)
54451414"
Captains Jerdan, Jerdan & Jerdan (8th May
'05)
Sounds like a
soliciters company, but no, I've heard that there's three of them now.
Can you imagine the mayhem with all three in the cockpit, the mind
boggles. Anyway, congratulations to them all.
Dave Holbourn - A Blast from the Past
(2nd May '05)
Hi Graeme, I've been
meaning to get in contact for a while and pass on my contact details,
thanks for running a really great web page-- I hope to take an active
interest and make contact with some of my old CX mates. I retired from
flying nearly 3yrs ago and would you believe I'm 60 this year ( just a
boy I hear you say) anyway, I'm still here, now as a full time Sim
Inst'r on the Classic-- that's 19 yrs on the same aeroplane and 22yrs in
CX and I love it and of course dear old HKG. Anyway, here are the
contact details for your website.
Dianne and Dave
Holbourn
Email: cherrywood@iprimus.com.au
In Hkg Email:
lildave@netvigator.com
In addition there
is a chap at Goolwa Sth Aust where I have my Nanchang who is an old
friend of Warwick Armitage and would like to make contact. He is- John
Harding, PO Box 270 NAIRNE Sth Aust 5252
Tel: 61 8 8388 6996
mob: 0403 55 1707. I believe that John and Warwick used to fly together
in their previous Aussi airline life.
Graeme , I trust
that this note finds you and yours well and happy and I look forward to
hearing from you. Best Rgds Dave Holbourn.
Thanks for the
complement Dave and thanks for making contact.
Dave did give his
address and telephone number but I'm reluctant to publish that sort of
detail. I'm sure if you contact him by email, he'll gladly let you have
it.
Michael - See
Below (2nd May '05)
I gather from Gordon Smith that Michael's farewell
went well, as follows:
"What a wonderful night it was
last night at the HKG Aviation Club, the farewell drinks & diner for
Michael was just great.
Michael Kadoorie, Adam Takach,
Jack Smith & Brain Lewis’s son all gave short speeches thanking him for
his commitment to the club during the past 38 years.
In recognition of his time the
club they gave him a life’s associate membership with no monthly fees.
Adam took some photos of the
night that he will email to you.
I’m here in HKG for a couple
more weeks just visiting my son who now works for Dragonair as an A320
F/O.
Bumped into Rob Gawler & Stuart
Davies here in Discovery Bay, Rob lives here and Stuart was visiting his
daughter.
Well that’s it for now, just
wanted to let you know that Michael had a great farewell and will be
missed by us all."
Gordon.
Photos courtesy Adam Takach - many thanks.
Michael - The
Aero Club's Chief Barman. (29th March '05)
I've just heard
from present Aero Club members that Michael is retiring on the 30th
April after 38 years behind the bar. He also turns 65 on that day (alas,
he's 35 days younger than I am). I bet he could tell a tale or two.

The suggestion is that some of you might like to
drop him a line or, if you are in the vicinity, pop in and say farewell. Rose and I spent a fair
while with him a couple of months ago.
The email address of the Aero Club, or to give it
its posh new title of about twenty years ago, the Hong Kong Aviation
Club, is:
gm@hkaviationclub.com.hk
So, there's no excuse not to make contact.
By the way, does anyone know Michael's surname. To
put you out of your misery, it's Ko.
Charlie Abbs and
Don Unmack (29th March '05)
I have just received a message from Adam Takach and
I'm very sorry to report that both Charlie Abbs and Don Unmack have
passed away. I have no other information but it goes without saying that
our sympathy and thoughts go out to their relatives as they do to
Lyell's. As you are all aware, Charlie and Don were both flight
engineers with the company.
Lyell Loutit
(20th March '05)
Sadly, I have to tell you that Lyell Loutit passed
away a month or so ago. This information was relayed to my by Geoff
Green and Jim Stuart-Menteth, but I have no further information.
Many of the older hands will remember Lyell but for
the others, he was a very senior First Officer on the Convairs and had
previously been a professional wireless operator. Lyell's passion in
life was always radio and he had a pretty efficient set up in the flat
where he lived, I think on the Mid Levels. I can well remember being
able to contact Lyell on HF when it was literally impossible to get
through to Hong Kong Dragon or anyone else on SSB. He always declared
that his antenna was a length of wire chucked over his balcony.
Addition From John Williams:
I have just been up on the site
and seen your note about Lyell Loutit and felt I would like to saw a few
words about him as I came to know him quite well.
As you say Lyle was an ex R.O; I
met him on one of my early simulator sessions in the 880........he had
no real idea as to how the FD 108 worked and I tried to help him. We
soon discovered that we had something in common........radio.......I was
a qualified Maritime R.O. and knew what a morse key was but I had let
my ham call expire and it was Lyle who pushed me into getting a Hong
Kong callsign VS6HG. I was living in the harbour Hotel at the time so he
invited me to "share" his shack with him on the Peak.
When you say antenna I will
always remember the first time I saw it.....it was huge.
He was a lonely character but
had many friends in the Ham Radio World who thought highly of him and
there was always a huge "build up" of Hams from the four corners of the
World when he came ON AIR.
Talking of Hams, Geoff Green, Lyle and I were the only Cathay hams at
the time..........I can imagine that Geoff must have heard about Lyle
from the Ham World........I can't find a contact for him, do you have
his e-mail address?
I
can't help with Geoff's email address, he has never contacted me. If
anyone can, how about passing it on - G
Lost & Found (22nd Nov '04)
I get a number of enquiries from our colleagues who
have, one way or another, lost contact with friends. In an effort to
help, I'll post these. If anyone can assist, please drop me an email,
or, if you are able, contact the folk direct.
01. From Dianne Duggan
'I have been trying to
find out how to contact Trish Ellis for a couple of years. I have been
given telephone numbers, and addresses, but my letters keep coming back!
Is there anyone out there who can help please?'
Can you post this notice
for me please?
Best wishes,
Dianne Duggan.
<mailto:dianne@bushwood.plus.com>
“Bushwood”, Witheridge Hill Bottom, Highmoor, Henley on Thames,
Oxfordshire, RG9 5PE, U.K. Tel/Fax +44 (0)1491 641223
02. From George Young
Not strictly aircrew, but in an effort to assist.
George, ex Cathay Engineering, would like to make contact with Rhienhart
Walter who was also Cathay Engineering - Out Stations. I'm sure many of
you will remember Rhienhart as the German engineer in Bahrain and
Jakarta, a bit brusk at times, but a heart of gold. If anyone know where
he now is, please let me know and I will pass the message on.
03. John Williams.
John is trying to contact ex Cathay Flight Engineer
Jim Tully. He's tried HKAOA with no success. Johns email address is:
johnwilliams@telefonica.net.
From Terry
Duggan (23rd Oct '04)
Since my last 'retirement', I have been relaxing, and endeavouring to
become as proficient on my computer as my three year old granddaughter.
Actually, we now have two granddaughters, as Michael and Carolyn became
very busy in the past few years and Natasha and Alexandra were born only
13 months apart.
We also ski a lot in the winter, as we have a (small) share in a super
lodge in Chamonix.
We try to visit Hong Kong about once every eighteen months, usually on
the way to Australia to see relatives. Actually, the thought of retiring
back to Australia is very tempting, but as long as our kids are over
here, we will probably stay in Europe (and then there is the skiing...).
Siobhan 'makes' films for Discovery TV (and is married to a tax
accountant - beat that!), and Michael is property developing in
Yorkshire where his lovely wife comes from. They all seem to live the
life of Riley (Reilly?), and make their fare share of trips around
Europe, and indeed the world.
Dianne crowned her fifteen years of
study and research by gaining her Ph.D. at the University of London in
architectural history, and has been busy writing academic articles, and
giving the odd lecture ever since (including at Oxford!). If you want to
know anything about the early history of
Covent Garden,
ask her.
Michael
Cuttler (15th Sept '04)
Sadly, I have to tell you that Michael, son of
Allan and Sue Cuttler passed away on Tuesday 7th September, he had been
suffering from lung cancer. Although I have only now been able to post
this sad news, and it's therefore a bit late, the funeral will be held
on Friday 17th September at
1300.
It will be
held at the Easthampstead Park Crematorium
(Tel. 01344-420314), South Road, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham. Berks.
Directions to the
crematorium can be found at:
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Drop down
the 'Quick Find' list Select: 'Cemetery & Crematorium' Go to the 'How to
find us' paragraph Click on the word 'Map'.A separate window a map will
now open.
After the
service refreshments will be served at the nearby Easthampstead Park
Conference Centre (Tel.0118- 9780686) off
Peacock Lane, Wokingham
Berks. Obviously all are welcome to attend.
Donations in
lieu of flowers can be made to the Duchess of Kent House Trust and sent
to the Funeral directors, A.B.Walker and Son, (Tel.0118-9573650) 16,
Eldon Road,. Reading, RG1 4DL
Allan was a Tristar F/E and
still works for Cathay. Our thought go out to him and Sue.
This information was passed
to me by Spike Parker.
Once again, apologies for the late posting.
Blast From The
Past (20th Aug '04)
Hello Graham,
Lorenzo Martin gave me your site URL...great! I was thinking of doing
something like it myself but could not work up the enthusiasm.
Remember me? We joined the group at the same time 1972, I left in 1979;
the best years of my life, I would do it again for nothing but I'm glad
I didn't.
Laurie and I are here in Sotogrande which is a very up-market
development near Gibraltar.
Laurie plays golf and my wife and I run a Real Estate agency.
Lots more and I do have pictures but I'll wait to see if you get this
first.
King regards,
John and Hilli Williams.
www.shop-in-spain.com
From Terry
Duggan (20th Aug '04)
Since my last 'retirement', I have been relaxing, and endeavouring to
become as proficient on my computer as my three year old granddaughter.
Actually, we now have two granddaughters, as Michael and Carolyn became
very busy in the past few years and Natasha and Alexandra were born only
13 months apart.
We also ski a lot in the winter, as we have a (small) share in a super
lodge in Chamonix.
We try to visit Hong Kong about once every eighteen months, usually on
the way to Australia to see relatives. Actually, the thought of retiring
back to Australia is very tempting, but as long as our kids are over
here, we will probably stay in Europe (and then there is the skiing...).
Siobhan 'makes' films for Discovery TV (and is married to a tax
accountant - beat that!), and Michael is property developing in
Yorkshire where his lovely wife comes from. They all seem to live the
life of Riley (Reilly?), and make their fare share of trips around
Europe, and indeed the world.
Dianne crowned her fifteen years of
study and research by gaining her Ph.D. at the University of London in
architectural history, and has been busy writing academic articles, and
giving the odd lecture ever since (including at Oxford!). If you want to
know anything about the early history of
Covent Garden,
ask her.
Jeff Morris
Update (12th July '04)
I’m heavily involved in a
charity operation called “Angel Flight of Vancouver Island”, we fly
folks to medical appointments in Vancouver & Victoria from some of the
remote locations here. Strictly a VFR Daytime operation and at present
we have 20 pilots who donate their time, aircraft & expertise and we
reimburse them for fuel & oil costs. YVR are very good to us and have
waived Landing & Parking fees for our flights. Operate under an
Exemption to an AOC which Transport Canada issued in 2001 and for my
sins I’m V-P & Director Operations. Principle flights are into YVR, I
now have more “landings” at YVR in single engined craft than in 747’s!
This year, our third, we’re running at double last years total so we
should complete about 120 flights. Take a look at our website,
www.angelflight.ca for more info, I’ll
send you some photos if you’d like?
Looking for John Lewis Lloyd
Received a self explanatory email as follows. Can
anyone help?
Hi Graham, I have not had the
pleasure of meeting you but have been steered in your direction by Gary
Ogg who is still with Cathay as a full time sim instructor. He seems to
think that if there is any chance of tracking down John LL you may have
some ideas ? The background to this quest is an attempt to find students
and instructors who formed 101 course in flying training in the RAF. We
graduated in Dec 1954 at RAF Oakington and subsequently went our merry
ways to various Commands. John was not much older than his students
having been selected to go directly from graduating from Cranwell to CFS.
I also spoke with Henry Walker and Brian Lewis who were equally stumped
by my enquiry ! They pass on the their regards. Should you have any
snippet of info that may lead us to him it would be very much
appreciated, the reunion is to be held at the RAF Club on 18th Oct, 04.
Best wishes, Tom Hussey.
Tom’s email is
Tom.Hussey@bigpond.com
Can You Believe This: (20th May
'04)

Come on, George, how did you manipulate the picture?
News From David Baines (7th
April ,04)
Having promised to send you something
following my recent registration, perhaps I’m cheating a bit by
forwarding the letter I sent to friends last Christmas. We have been
doing a lot of cruising the last few years having discovered some good
bargains offered to ex-airline staff, which are reflected below. As the
letter implies we are now living permanently in Andorra having sold the
house in Hawaii, some years ago
We think you are doing a good job
holding the old hands together. Keep it up
Best regards to all
David Baines.
Again in memory of the Christmas
Spirit fashioned by Ebenezer Scrooge, we are not sending Christmas cards
this year, as a gesture to the Andorran Post Offices who manage to
deliver most of ours after the 25th, but to continue to keep
in touch with absent friends here is a brief revue of our 2003
In April we went to Hong Kong,
thinking that the SARS epidemic, with, at that time, only 80 deaths from
the disease, made the chances of catching it in a population of 7.5
million, about the same as winning the Mark 6 Lottery, but failing to
appreciate the quarantine possibilities imposed by other nations
receiving travelers from infected areas. We arrived in Hong Kong
seemingly at a doctor’s convention with everybody running about wearing
surgical masks, and with reports of restrictions being imposed at
Bangkok Airport we hastily caught the last flight that was unrestricted.
We intended to catch a ship from Laem Chabang to return to Europe but
were denied boarding due to our earlier passage through Hong Kong. As we
were unceremoniously turned away at the dock and during the 5-hour delay
in arranging transport and hotels and retrieving baggage, which had been
vigorously plundered during our separation. I complained to the Purser
that it was a poor way to spend my birthday on April 8th We did have to
wait for ten days in Bangkok mostly at the ship’s expense until we could
demonstrate the absence of infection and were later flown to Kuala
Lumpur to catch the Regal Princess, and found that we were in a suite
near the bridge with a bunch of flowers from the Purser. As we had
thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Bangkok, which is a revitalized city
after my memories of staying there on aircrew night-stops with Cathay
Pacific, it was a win-win situation.
Avoiding Viet Nam and Singapore due
to SARS, and Oman, Jordan and Turkey due to Moslem threats altered the
sailing schedule, but they dropped us off in Barcelona instead of Rome,
which avoided the complication of getting a huge assortment of baggage
onto an aircraft.
In the spring I temporarily jumped
the generation gap and had my ears pierced. I considered a small
nautical ring (hello sailor) or perhaps a larger version that sometimes
resembles a small chandelier as worn by some of the musical fraternity,
but decided, as the penetrations were very asymmetric, they were done by
the parrot when he was angry, that I would let them heal shut
In 2003 shopping for other than
comestibles became impossible as our house became completely full,
mostly of objects d’art. I’ve just counted 18 real and 14
candle-like lamps in the living room, giving a display to rival St
Peter’s, and perhaps causing the neighbours to suspect that we have
opened a local coven. Veronika regards an empty niche on a shelf in the
same way as nature abhors a vacuum, and there no longer remained any
space anywhere, to put even the smallest knick-knack, and in June,
Mother-in-law’s inherited living room furniture was carried down from
Switzerland to our house in Andorra. It stood in the garage while we
debated what to do with it and during my absence in the UK, it was
inserted it into our living room, which with its eclectic mix of
furniture styles and seating now for 33 people begins to resemble a
Pakistani doctors waiting room. Should the investment climate decline
even further I do own a stethoscope and might hang my shingle. Doctoring
seems well paid and not too hard, and for anyone wishing to join my
panel, take two aspirins and call me again on Monday
Noticing the increasing rapidity of
the passage of the years, I tried to research my ancestors as I grow
ever closer to joining them. I found my Great Grandfather’s address in
Horbury, Yorkshire, from the 1881 census on the Internet and on a whim
wrote to the postmaster of that town and asked if the building still
existed. “Yes it did,” said Mrs Cudworth, a knowledgeable local
historian who finally received my letter, and also included a lot of the
family history of the18th & 19th C when they were
all making lots of money as worsted spinners. I later went there and
visited ancestral relics and for those who have questioned my legitimacy
in the past I can now demonstrate 8 legal generations and the only
recorded bastard, generations earlier, is not directly in the bloodline,
(although his father is)
In August we arrived at the hotel in
New York two days before the blackout struck, and the power failed over
much of North East America. My first reaction was that Veronika had
plugged her 220-volt hairdryer into the 110-volt socket and permanently
welded the Plaza Hotel to the North American National Grid, but later
investigation showed that it was not her fault. I was impressed with the
New York municipal psyche, when, with total gridlock at 5th
Ave and 57 St, and amateur traffic controllers doing their best, nobody
was blowing any car horns. I think I detected a bit of the blitz spirit
that I remembered from my childhood in the UK. Anyone not in their room
when the power failed, could not re-enter, due to failed electronic
door-locks, until 02:30 the next morning
We visited Greenland, which makes
even Andorra seem overpopulated (55,000 v. 67,000), and tramped through
arctic trouser-soaking bogs to see a glacier, to where we were later
transported around the peninsula by the ship while dinner was served,
and we dined drifting with engines off, surrounded by icebergs. The only
ship that got any closer to icebergs must have been the Titanic. On
leaving, we headed into a gale on the North Atlantic that made us turn
off our course in order to meet the waves head on. This put us a day
behind schedule and forced the cancellation of the later visit to
Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. There were noticeable absentees at meal
times, most probably enjoying what has been described in Australia as a
technicolour yawn, and we met one wave that broke over the bridge, which
was 8 decks above the waterline, and after denting the bulwarks and
damaging part of the superstructure, it entered the theatre where a show
was in progress and formed an attractive cascade down the stairs from
the gallery. The water also entered the cabin of the ship’s chef,
forward from our cabin, and caused his evacuation (I’m aware that there
might be two interpretations of this sentence. Perhaps both apply)
In Reykjavik in September we toured
the town surprised by its modernity, and astonished by the very
agreeable Russian Consol, who issued us both with free coffee and an
instant visa for a later visit to St Petersburg which allowed us to tour
the city independently of the organised tours on offer. The Icelandic
guide book recorded the Phalliological Museum, which claimed to be the
worlds only collection of mammalian male reproductive furniture, lacking
only a human specimen, which shortage was soon to be remedied “by a
patriotic donor”, presumably after death. I debated the merits of
subjecting myself to conjugal comparisons with whales and elephants, but
after a cursory search we failed to find the museum and I consoled
myself with the thought that while most of the Islanders spoke perfect
English, perhaps the potential of language difficulties might prevent me
from explaining that I was not the patriotic donor attempting to make a
live delivery.
We took up golf some years ago in
Hawaii, but after a few months while Veronika continued to play, I lost
interest, finding out that it was more profitable to count the balls
used in gaining the next hole rather than the strokes, so a hole-in-one
meant for me anyway that I didn’t lose any ball en-route, as most go off
sideways when I drive and sometimes when I putt. They recently opened a
9 hole, par 3, golf course in Andorra and I dusted off the clubs and
found that my skills haven’t changed
We’ve never watched sporting events
very much, indeed our TV viewing is normally divided into German
language channels in one room and English in the other, but I became
interested in the 6 nations rugby matches and followed Leicester, my
birth place, in recent years when they started winning championships,
and watched when the World Cup was being played. I suddenly found during
these matches that I had a viewing companion. Sensing a new bond in our
marital relationship I incautiously asked Veronika what was the
new-found attraction, and she replied “I like it when they hit each
other,” which explains why there is no Swiss team in the competition.
Andorra offers free
ski passes to all legal residents over the age of seventy, for all the
Principality’s extensive ski runs, good also in the very up-market
resort of Gstaad in Switzerland, which enjoys reciprocal rights, and
yesterday the first snow fell in Andorra. I reveled in the generosity of
the Government until it occurred to me this morning that I am also an
old-age pensioner in the Principality and while the amount drawn from
the government coffers would not prevent me, on its own, from thirsting
to death, perhaps they have balanced the shortfall of ski lift revenue
against the cessation of further pension payments to, and National
Health expenses for, Andorra’s geriatrics as they shoot off in all
directions into the undiscovered hinterlands of the Pyrenees
Or am I being too cynical?
Thanks Dave, a highly hilarious article, I look
forward to more. To the rest of you (some exceptions, of course) let it
be a lesson to you. Get your
writing talents dusted off. Preacher Graham.
Ros Fairfield (26th March '04)
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Ros, wife of
Roland Fairfield passed away peacefully on the 25th March after a brave
battle with cancer. There will be a family cremation on the 6th April,
followed by a memorial service at their local church, St John's Church,
Merrow, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4QX, also on Tuesday 6th April at 3:30 pm.
The family have asked that no flowers be sent, but, donations may be made,
if you so desire, to Cancer Research UK, c/o Pimms Funeral
Services, Mary Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4QX, Tel: 01483 567394.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roland and his family.
Roland's address is: Toad Hall, 2 Three Pears Road, Merrow,
Guildford, Surrey GU1 2XU.
Rose Lipscombe, wife of Peter
Lipscombe (10th March '04)
Once again, I have to be the bearer of some sad news. Rose Lipscombe,
wife of Peter, has just passed away after an illness. Peter, who as you
know, was a Flight Engineer with Cathay after being so with British
Eagle, and Rose had been together for a remarkable fifty-two years. This
period was not without grief as their daughter, Denise, who attended
school in Hong Kong, passed away in her early thirties. This must be a
terribly difficult period for Peter and I know that you would want me to
extend our deepest sympathy to him. I have to add, that Peter himself is
not in the best of health. Peter's email address is in the Contacts
page.
For All You Flight Simulators (22ndFeb
'04)
The two web sites mentioned are worth a look - G
It's a
while since we've communicated but I've just discovered your new site
format and bookmarked it; very nice, sir. Looks good. I hope you get
some healthy support. As volunteer webmaster for the Swire Mariners
Association, I know that sometimes news can be slow in coming, but is
always appreciated when it gets posted. So I slog on, as you do!
This is
just a note to advise that with the advent of a new, even more
sophisticated flight simulator version in Microsoft's Flight Simulator
2004 (released late summer last year), flying Cathay Pacific in the
virtual world has become even more exciting. I have a new page up now
for Cathay add-ons (mostly free) for this latest simulator, which I
thought you might like to mention somewhere on your site. The new
address is:
http://www.swiremariners.com/cathayhk.html
Have a
look anyway, and see what you think. It may not be everyone's choice of
fun, but given that the same fellows who design our instruments for
simulation design the PFDs and NDs for Boeing, you can see that there's
a reasonable level of realism these days!
A
highlight for me has been to hear from, and to now be in regular
correspondence with, Charles "Chic" Eather. His name is, perhaps, well
known to you! He has his own website at
www.chingchic.com; but more importantly, he is once again putting a
considerable number of hours on his beloved "Betsy" using my
flight simulation models! You'll understand how happy that makes me.
He's one of several Douglas pilots who have been in touch and who now
fly their old ships on home computers.
In any
case, I wish you all good fortune with the new site and a great 2004,
Kind
regards (and to all who know me)
Mark "Dark
Moment" Beaumont
John Bewick (14th Feb '04)
I know that this unfortunate entry is very late, this
being due to me returning to the UK only a day ago.
Many of you will already be aware, but for all others,
it is with profound sadness that I have to report that John passed away
on the the 9th January. A Memorial Service for John was held on Saturday
24th January at the Parish Church Of St Andrews at Evesbatch.
I'm sure you will all share in extending deepest
sympathy to John's wife Jenni, who's address is:
Bauhinia, Evesbatch, Bishops Frome, Worcester, WR6
5BD.
First Contributor - Andy Coverdale
(4th Jan '04)
Hi Graham,
Just a pix of a few young at heart lags meeting up for a beer or 2 on
M\Y Mayayoni in Phuket...December 2003. (see
Gallery page)
Paddy and Angela, Paul Jenner, Dave Rowe and Andy Coverdale.
We all send best wishes and Happy New Year to all the Cathay
Classics.
Please add me to your mailing list...mayayoni@attglobal.net..
I am teaching part time in Korea in the B744 sim...different
!!...Mike Rigg and Barry Bower originally started with FSB ,now Alteon
,a subsidiary of Boeing. but have moved on to pastures less
tiring......if you Ingineers thought us pilots totally incompetent then
try flying with Korean!!!!
Any old chums coming through Phuket to see the temples please email
me and come for a beer on my bateau......I know that LBFMs are of no
interest to anyone anymore but the little blue pill is available without
prescription for elderly punters here ...
luv Andy