Sqn Ldr Brian Jopling QGM RAF Retd

[WK622]

For those local to Brize, the current Oxford Times has a fine and quite detailed obituary to Brian on Page 45. Our paths crossed at Linton, Luqa and Shawbury - a very sad loss.

[OKOC]

Another renal cancer victim

I am very sorry to learn that Brian died from Renal cancer. Why, oh why was Brian yet another victim of this type of cancer--why, oh why are so many aircrew dying from this disease?

I tried to get some answers on how many aircrew were killed by Renal cancer from MOD back in 2001 when 4 truckie friends (all of whom I knew well) were diagnosed within 3 months of each other--and as you would expect I hit a brick wall with a bland MOD response of "no more than the national average".

Renal cancer accounts for only 3.1% of Cancer deaths in UK each year so my question still stands MOD--"How many aircrew are diagnosed with Renal cancer each year, and should our military doctors investigate if there is a link".

Incidentally, there is a very good renal Cancer support group that meets every month at The Churchill Hospital, Headington. Please PM me if anyone needs any more info on this group--they do excellent work.

Again, my deepest sympathy to Brian's family.

[aljop]

Renal cancer and aircrew

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone on Pprune for their kind condolences and attendances at Brian's funeral in Carterton last week. I am Alan, Brian's older brother and along with our Mam and all of my own extended family and Rosie's whole family, would like to say how proud we were of "our Brian". He was an amazing man, so courageous not only in RAF life but also during the last few days of his life when he still kept himself chirpy and cracking jokes with all and sundry. He has left a massive void in all of our lives. Unfortunately, Brian did have renal cancer but the "doc's" were unable to find the "primary source" of the cancer and were unable to target where the cancer started. However, myself and families scoured the world for solutions or ongoing trials and were in contact with specialists in Australian and USA, alas without a chance of getting Brian to any of them before he took to being too ill. The topic you have raised about aircrew and renal cancer has come alongside my own wondering of whether there have been any aircrew who have passed away with cancer who were on the stricken Atlantic Conveyor. I do know that it was carrying phosphorous of some type, some of the make up of the ship was made using aluminium - which when burnt gives off toxic gases - the diesel fuel on board and probably some other noxious substances we don't know about. I have often wondered if Brian had earlier succumbed to some of these toxic gases before he had the chance to use his respirator and something has lain dormant in his body until last year when he was diagnosed with "Unknown Primary Source Cancer". Thank you once again to you all for your kindness and most of all, your friendships you had with "Our Brian". Best wishes to you all and your families.

[airborne_artist]

Squadron Leader Brian Jopling - obituary - Telegraph

[WASALOADIE]

Very sad, but nice words about a real gentleman.

[Onceapilot]

Thank you, Airborne Artist, for posting that obituary.

OAP