Patrick (Harry) Worth

Harry joined as A Fitt (E) so we shared classes quite often.  It wasn't until one of our return visits to Halton this century that he told me his name wasn't Harry!  I think we all called him Harry didn't we?  After the popular comedian of the time who, I've just learned, was born in Yorkshire and served in the RAF during the second world war.

He was a member of the brass band (What instument did he play?) and I often did his pack carrying down to workshops and back.  A completely inoffensive bloke, very likeable and good company. 

He was probably best known for once drinking only Vodka at the Shoulder of Mutton, walking out into the cold night air,  and collapsing unconscious on the pavement! 

I'm glad to have known him and particularly glad to have met him again when he came to a couple of our reunions.

Rest in peace Harry.

Absolutely gutted to learn of Harry's death. He and I were air cadets together in Leeds and I probably knew him better than anyone in our entry. He and his wife came to visit me and my wife in Australia about 10 years ago. It was great to see him. We'd served together in 1972-3 at RAF Church Fenton (Yorks), before I bought myself out of the RAF. What most of our guys probably don't know about Harry was that he was an ace glider pilot!

He'd always been a bit overweight, and in recent years had heart surgery, but this has come as a shock.

Stu (Stan) Holloway 

Chris first rose to fame when he rescued a lorry driver near his home town of Edenbridge, Kent while on leave from Halton.  The driver had plunged into Four Elms Pond after a collision with a car and was trapped in his cab.  Chris was then only 17 years old yet he tore open the passenger window in the lorry to allow the driver to escape. "He almost certainly saved him from drowning." said a police spokesman.

Wasn't he a Tenor Drummer?  Or am I mis-remembering?  One of those bods who marched along, swinging their sticks in a very artistic way but only making occasional contact with the drum skin with those tassels.

Chris was present at the first reunion of this century in 2009 at Halton.  (See the web site.)  He also joined us at the "Jim Sparks Reunion" in June 2011.

After that, his health prohibited him from joining us.  He would always send an e-mail explaining how much he would like to be with us but........

A good bloke, one of us and a sad loss to us all and many more I suspect.

Our sympathies go to all his family and friends.

Rest in peace Chris, we'll come and see you before too long.

Sad news indeed, Chris has been my best mate since we both went to Queens Flight after passing out of Halton. 

Rob Savage.

Always sad to hear of our numbers dwindling.  I'm sure we are all creaking a bit now, I certainly am.

Commiserations to his family.  Have a good onward journey Chris.

Bill Preston.

Sorry to hear this sad news of Chris Stratford passing away.

Despite the 53 years, I remember Chris well, as I do so many of you.

Andy Shelbourne.

Sad news indeed.  RIP Chris.

Yours Aye. 

Gordon Sinclair.

So sorry to hear the sad news of my fellow sooty, my condolences to his family. 

Malky Blease.

Such sad news so sorry to hear. RIP Chris.

Alan Hawkins.

Chris had been ill for quite a while and would dearly have loved to attend our get together's but his illness prevented it. Sad news indeed.

Tanky.

Very very sad news about Chris.

We find old colleagues just to lose them again all too soon.

RIP Chris and condolences to all of his family.

Roddy McKenzie.

I'm very sorry to report that Colin Moat passed away on Good Friday 2019. 

As you may know, he had suffered from Parkinson's for many years but had been able to enjoy some of the reunions we held along with his ever attentive and hard working wife, Diana.  Unfortunately his condition deteriorated and was further complicated by dementia so we hadn't seen him since 2014. 

Both Joana and l are saddened to read of Colin’s passing.  God rest his soul.

Gordon and Joana Sinclair

Very sad news about Colin and another one of us embarks on the final posting.

Despite his condition on the times he came to the re-union he was full of fun and mischief.

My condolences to his family. 

Roddy  Mc Kenzie

Sad news indeed, our condolences to his family.

RIP Colin.

Malky and Sue Blease

As they say, getting older isn’t for wimps.  Really unhappy news and RIP Colin 

Alan and Julia Hawkins

Very sad news. 

RIP Colin 

Peter and Fiona Foster

My sincere commiserations to Colin's Family - he was very brave dealing with that ailment - I have only deep respect for his courage and his ability to endure the debilitating effects. 

Rest in Peace Colin.

Alan Roche Litchfield (Litch)

Rest in peace Colin. 

Derek and Sandie Harper

Awful news about Colin. I remember him as if it were yesterday. My condolences to his family - he really was a good bloke. Very, very sad.

David Edwards

Sad news indeed. Please send our sincere condolences to his family. 

Tanky

Sorry to hear the news - RIP Colin - Sympathy to the family.

Davey T

Very sad news, condolences to his family, from 

Clem and Maureen Ord

Saddened to hear of Col's passing. Top guy. Our condolences to the family,

Stu and Jill Holloway

Shame, another one leaves us, how many left? ☹️

Derek Clarkson

Colin's funeral will be at New Southgate Crematorium N11 1JJ at 13:00 on May 17th.  He would have celebrated his 70th on May 18th.

RIP Colin

Rob & Gill Savage

Sorry to hear of Colin's passing. Sincerest condolences to Colin's family and friends.

Ian Mac Gilvery

Very sad news.  RIP Colin.

We have sent our condolences directly to Diana.

Best wishes,

Chris & Linda Stratford

Sad news indeed. Colin was a great guy and was full of fun on those reunions he managed to attend. Our condolences to Colin’s family.

John & Lizzie Robson.

I first met Jim (Bloodnut) Sparks at RAF Stafford in early 1966 when we were undergoing assessment for suitability for apprenticeship and we kept in touch from then on, getting to know each other's family very well.  Jim's children Tanya, Bonnita, Chris and Tim, at times, referred to us as Aunt and Uncle!!

Jim did very well in the RAF and left after 12 years to undertake a new life in the USA where he blossomed in business management and held a number of high positions, latterly working for an Oil Industry management company as a project manager, a job which took him to places such as Alaska and Australia.  Jim had a massive stroke whilst in Australia in early 2016 and suffered further complications from which he never recovered.  I am so glad that Sue and I got the opportunity to see him during our R66 road trip last June, and say goodbye in person.

Jim was my best friend and, although we saw each other infrequently we both knew we were there for each other, if needed.

Gonna miss you Big Guy!!xxx

Steve Tank.

I really will miss seeing the old Red-Head – and the personality cannot be replaced – nothing can fill the space so let’s just say “Happy Trails” in the best American fashion and drink to his memory when we all meet, along with all the others who are missing.

Allan Litchfield

Very sad news indeed.  I didn't know Jim well at Halton, he was older and much more worldly than I was.  Out of my league as a 15 year old school kid.  When I met him again at our reunions though, I was struck by what a nice bloke he was and generous to a fault.  I had a few (sober) conversations with him and liked him a lot.  At least he lived beyond our fiftieth anniversary even though he won't be joining us in celebrating it.  I will miss him as an old colleague and a newer friend.  Rest in peace Jim. 

Adrian Small.

Dave lost his six year battle with cancer on 25th September 2014.  He lived in South Africa with his wife, Sue and although most of us have not seen him for many years, he will be missed by all his old mates.  Rest in peace Dave.

Adrian Small

Don had suffered from prostate cancer for some time and sadly died on 29th June 2011.  He was one of the first of the entry to be reunited through this web site and Rod and I met him when he came back from Perth to see his family in December 2010.  He was still as nice a bloke as he was 40 years ago with a big wide friendly smile and a ready sense of humour.  I was glad to have known you twice Don, save a seat for me.

Adrian Small

Thats another shocker.Who can forget Don's theory about wings on F1 cars? It completely rewrote the laws of aerodynamics.

Great guy and I am sure sadly missed.

Alan Hawkins.

What a great guy. Wonky hat, wonky smile. Had a very wicked sense of humour, was a real team player, a great and loyal friend, and had some strange theories of just about everything. I had the very real pleasure of talking to him on Skype a few times and we transported back to our younger days, as if the passing years had never happened, we talked for hours and laughed a lot. He was resilient in his approach to his condition and never let it get him down. He leaves behind an extensive, beautiful, family that are a lasting tribute to a really fantastic guy!! You will be very sadly missed Donsy!!

Steve Tank

Geoff, the other red head in the entry, was well known for all the wrong reasons although I never heard any of the entry speak ill of him.

He is believed to have been killed in a motorcycle accident in Canada not long after we passed out. 

Geoff was a fiery individual with red hair and a temperament to match. He was one of life’s outsiders. He never seemed to fit in anywhere and would try not to let himself be included in anything, even the entry. He tried to “leg it” the night before we passed out and I was sent by Sooty to go find him, which I did (long story). Geoff was a very “damaged” person, mainly from his upbringing, which little I dragged from him. He was a very intelligent individual but was not happy with himself. It’s a great shame that circumstances shape you to what you are and not what you could be. Geoff was one of us (208) and it’s very sad to hear of his demise.

Steve Tank

Stuart was very sadly killed in a road accident on the day of his marriage.  I would welcome any further details and any memories of Stu.

What do I remember about Beanz. He was from the South West, I think. He was a trumpeter and was in my room what I was in charge of on 3A Wing. He had a very easy going, happy, humorous, way about him and was always very enthusiastic about anything he did. We, myself, John Trudgian, Eric Smith and Stuart entered a singing competition on 3A wing, which we won. Stuart was ecstatic, because that was the way he was, he had a great competitive edge and wanted to excel in everything he did. To be taken away in the way he was, on his wedding day, was a very great tragedy, I honestly believe that he could have gone far, not only in the RAF but in anything he set his mind to. One of the many great guys that made up the 208th Entry, RAF Halton. It was a pleasure in knowing you Beanz!!

Steve Tank

I was at RAF Scampton with Dave from leaving Halton until I moved on to Coningsby in about 1973 .  I only ever knew him as Dave, not Stu. He came from the Scunthorpe area, at least that's where his parents lived at that time. As far as I know, he was killed on the A15 just north of Caenby Corner coming back to Scampton from Scunthorpe for a night shift (13 November 1973) A car towing a caravan was overtaking a lorry in one of the notorious A15 dips. Dave had no chance, he swerved to miss the van and went head on into the truck. Dave had been married a couple of weeks and had just moved into quarters at Hemswell. He is buried next to his brother in the Church at Coningsby. Dave's brother had been killed while flying a Phantom F4 from Coningsby 21 November 1972. He was always full of life, a real charmer, especially with the ladies. I have many happy memories of time spent with Dave. 

Bill Preston

David Atkinson caught malaria while working overseas with Bristow's Helicopters and sadly failed to survive it.  The date and full details are unknown to me but I would be glad to enter them here if anyone has more information.

I thought Akky was one of those chaps who would live forever, always smiling, always happy, never angry and nobody ever angry with him. He wrecked my motorbike while I was on detachment to Madagascar, but it was impossible to be annoyed with him. I had been trying to find him and Bill Denman, would have loved to have met up with him again................Bugger.

Dave Colbert

I remember little Akky and his irrepressible humour.Wasn't he a trumpeter?  'Ah na man' still reminds me of Akky.   Coming from the soft south I hardly understood a word but the good humour always shone through.  'Ganging oot ta neet' still sounds Norwegian and having spent  a  few years in Scandinavia  I realised the bloody Vikings have a lot to answer for.  Its shocking to think that little Akky has been gone for so long though and in such a preventable way.

Alan Hawkins

David Pridmore passed away on April 27th 2006 - he was terminally ill with bowel cancer. He was a devoted family man and had 3 children; 2 sons and 1 daughter. He had a successful career working for 'Bristows Helipcopters' as a helicopter engineer/inspector for 28 years. After being made redundant from Bristows in 2004 he was asked to carry on servicing a helicopter owned by the Barclay brothers who live on Brecqhou (a private island off Guernsey) - it was his dream job. It would be lovely to hear any memories people have of Dave. All the Best. Rebecca.

Rebecca Pridmore (David's daughter)

Such sad news to hear from Rebecca  Pridmore about the death of her father Dave. He was a terrific bloke, very quiet but with a dry sense of humour. We were posted to St Athan together with several others had a good laugh hanging out and going to the 'scrubbers ball' on Thursday nights. We worked in different areas and only met in the NAAFI so it was always beer 'o' clock as they say in Aus. He was posted and so I lost contact which was a shame. It would have been great to keep in contact. My condolences to Rebecca and family at your sad loss.

Don Window

Dave had a less obvious sense of humour than some but although he was never going to be Mr Universe he  could make you laugh .His request for a 'lar birra chuddy' took some understanding too until I realised he meant he preferred Wrigleys gum.

Alan Hawkins

There are more photographs of Dave here

At six feet seven inches it was hard to miss Big Jim.  There follow some memories from some of us who knew him forty years ago.

Jim was the perpetual right marker - at 6' 7" what else could he be!?

Me , Harry, Jim, Taff Matthews, Dave Hinchcliffe, Mal Blease, Chris Stratford, Tim Broome, Rog Gard and  just a few others were all together in the same room for our first year on 3 wing, and Jim was a good mate. The 'prop' fitters were a small group, so we were pretty close as these things go.

Jim made Master Engineer and was much loved and respected by all those who flew with and knew him. I am saddened because he will always be a 19 year old, blond haired, lanky bastard, engine fitter apprentice in my head.

Stuart Holloway

What a sad and sobering thing.Such a nice, well loved guy.

And he was our age.

Alan Hawkins

What sad news, who could not remember Jim. I remember he had to have a special extended bed and the rest of us had to pull our beds away from the wall so that all the foot of the beds appeared to be in line. "Rest in peace Jim."

David Colbert

Jim was a great guy as the attributes show. I always remembered him as stated - big man with a big heart.

Man, life is too short.

Jim Sparks

Sad news indeed. I remember "Big Jim" well, especially his nostrils, I was always staring up at them!!! He truly was a gentleman. He stood head and shoulders above most but never looked down on anyone. He will be sorely missed and my sincere condolences go to his family.

Steve Tank

I would just like to express my sadness at the news of Jim Skate. I didn't have much to do with Jim at Halton but have always remembered him as a gentle giant. My condolences to family and friends.

Don Window

I was reading the In Memorium page of the website and was very saddened to hear about big Jim Skate, he was a big man in many more ways than just his altitude.

Malky Blease

Further tributes may be found at this site from Jim's flying colleagues.

  http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/374637-m-eng-jim-skate.html

Mick ended up as a "lifer" in the mob and very sadly died just before he was due to retire.

Mick had a superb Cornish accent and took a lot of stick for it with good grace.  We spent a lot of time together while we were at Wattisham and he introduced me to his family on the farm in Cornwall.  A good friend and a great bloke, I'm proud to have known him.

Adrian Small 

Jim had left the RAF and was running the village shop and Post Office at Wittering when he died suddenly at the age of just 48 years.  

He was probably my biggest mate at Halton, we were in the Brass Band together and he was Best Man at my wedding.              

Malky Blease