Ben Casey
I was an aircrewman with Ben on Hermes in 1982. He and I were on deck at alert 5 for a RAS. The RAS ended and it was decided to go into a vertrep. I got out of the aircraft and Ben went off to start the vertrep. Soon afterwards it was decided that 2 aircraft were required and I got in the second one and went off to join in. The weather deteriorated and it was soon pitch black and a howling gale. Ben's aircraft decided to return for a second pilot but didn't make it back. They ditched in the sea for whatever reason. I remember Ben as a really nice fella. He always had a smile and joke for everyone. He was forever singing Monty Python's "Always look on the bright side of life!" I know we had only just seen it on a film, but with Ben you got the feeling that he was actually like that - always looking on the bright side of life, no matter what. RIP Ben.
PI