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View Full Version : WingCo Peter Hulme (SOAF) R.I.P.


airhead10
31st Jan 2005, 23:31
The following information for anyone who may remember Peter.

Muqaddam Tayyar Peter Hulme


Peter Hulme, ex SOAF, has died aged 75 and the burial service was held at Sheffield on 5th January 2005. Peter has been extremely ill for some while before his death, mainly as a result of the war wounds that he suffered in Oman. The service was attended by a few ex SOAF friends.

Peter joined the SOAF as a contract officer in 1969. Originally he flew the Dakota aircraft but soon transferred to the Strikemaster when they were introduced in July 1969. His previous experience with the Jet Provost provided much valuable expertise. Thereafter, his specialist aircraft in SOAF was the Strikemaster and he also enjoyed flying the Beaver aircraft.

He was a very skilled pilot and aviator and much admired and respected by everyone with whom he had contact. He was promoted to be OC SOAF TAC, (the Dhofar SOAF Ops organisation) in 1971. There, he led by example and dedication, setting extremely high standards. He was never slow to give praise where deserved and, equally, not afraid to offer objective criticism whenever he felt it necessary. There can be no doubt of his loyalty and commitment to the Sultanate and he flew many dangerous sorties, often over the border, in pursuit of the infiltrating adoo. On one of these sorties he was wounded slightly and soaked with fuel while on a recce over the town of Hauf, but he managed to fly his aircraft back to the airfield at Salalah. For this he was awarded the Gallantry Medal. Later, again in Salalah, he sustained a serious wound in the leg when an adoo RCL round landed and exploded in the Officer’s Mess compound. He was sent to the UK for hospitalisation and treatment which lasted 14 months.

Peter was a generous person, fond of a joke, and was a very popular and respected member of SOAF. He was always available to help other SAF/SOAF members in any way possible. He left Oman in 1976.

He became the most decorated officer in SOAF, with the Gallantry Medal, Bravery Medal and the Sultan’s Commendation Medal. The Gallantry Medal was presented personally by HM Sultan Qaboos, in a ceremony in the Palace which was also attended by his wife Margaret. Peter leaves behind his wife Margaret, a son David and a daughter Jennifer, all three of whom visited Oman on several occasions.

teeteringhead
1st Feb 2005, 08:21
Fee amman illah Muqaddam Peter

I first met Peter in 1973, when he returned to SOAF after his initial treatment following the Salalah Officers' Mess rocketing.

Despite (IIRC) wearing at least one leg-iron (if that's the correct term) at the time, he was delighted at his progress:

PH: Never mind the "irons", I've got strength and plantiflexion (movement of foot downward at ankle) in both ankles.

Young Teeters: (slightly confused) Oh, er, that's good Sir.

PH: Yes - means I can still work the toe-brakes on the Strikie!

a measure of the man......

.... Only Allah lives forever...(Q25:58)

Compass Call
1st Feb 2005, 17:51
Sad loss of a very, very brave man.

My condolences to his family.



CC

aaaaa
1st Feb 2005, 18:51
Airhead 10, thank you for your post.

I remember Peter well as being both a very brave and fun loving man. I was living in the Oman at the time, accompanying my now late husband whilst he was attached to SOAF. They became good friends, even though being at loggerheads on occasions.

Thanks to being his turn in obtaining a necessary replenishment of refreshments in the Officers Mess, Salalah, the addoo missed my husband but got Peter, who was outside. Through sheer guts, determination and b***dy mindedness Peter made a great recovery and returned to the Oman with his customary positive attitude. I always felt however, that it was slightly tinged with sadness at the disrutpion of his beloved flying that his injury had caused.

My prayers go out to Margaret and his family at this time and hopefully their grief will be helped in the knowledge that he was such a popular, colourful and brave person.

aa

airhead10
2nd Feb 2005, 06:09
Thanks you all for your kind words, I shall pass them on.

aa - you are perfectly correct that his inability to fly, (despite numerous attempts even in a Defender), was a hard thing for him to accept. After "flying a desk" at Seeb he finally called it quits. I am proud to have known him and proud to be in possession of his log books which make fascinating reading.

Thanks again.

katz
3rd Feb 2005, 03:24
My condolences to his family and friends and may he rest in peace

Katz