Anything you want to share about yourself (within reason), the family, friends. Let me have it and it will go here.

Simon Creasy's Progress (30th April '07)

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 26^th 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 15^th 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 60^th, 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)

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:

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:

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:

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 3^rd. 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 8^th 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