7 years and 6 months ago Cliff Leach started this iconic PPRuNe thread, on 5th June 2008. Since then he, and others who followed him, have sadly passed on, but they will be forever gratefully remembered for so modestly yet so thoroughly telling us about gaining an RAF Pilots Brevet in WWII, etc (a small but most important addendum to the OP title).
To those who continue his good work, thank you gentlemen. I salute you, and wish you, and everyone here, a Happy New Year!