A Sad Loss

[Rossian]

Gp Cpt Pete Whitaker passed away this afternoon, having been brought back from his post in Vienna last Tuesday. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. He will be missed as one of nature's enthousiasts and all-round good bloke. Our sympathy goes out to Linda and their boys and to his parents.
The Ancient Mariner

[Dimmer Switch]

Thanks for circulating this deeply sad news. I, like many others, have nothing but brilliant memories of Whitto - even today I can't think of him without smiling. RIP

[BATS]

RIP Mate !

Deepest sympathy to Linda and the kids - it only seems like yesterday in the scruffs.

[Not Long Here]

All the best in the afterlife Whitto.

[ihoharv]

did BFTS alongside Pete at Church Fenton in '80/81. Top bloke and the first guy to let me ride pillion on his Triumph (I think, eyes were closed all the way) into York.
Served as good counsel to me and, as always and sadly, the good are taken too young.

[hairyeng]

I was so sad to learn of the death of Group Captain Pete Whittaker, or Whitto as his friends called him. I met Whitto when he joined 206 Sqn at RAF Kinloss on his first flying tour after finishing training. You could not help but immediately like this mischievous young man, so full of life and energy. It was during this period that we coined one of his favourite expressions. It started after we landed, shall we say, with a 'bit of a bump'. at Kinloss. As we taxied in, I held up my Flight Engineers log on which I had written the words "I flew with Whitto and lived". Before long, stickers were appearing around the Squadron with those words on them and Pete, for many years afterwards, would use this expression to describe his flying career. In truth, he was a fine and talented pilot who brought so much to the Nimrod Fleet by his common sense and professional approach to aviation.

I was honoured to be invited to his wedding when he married the love of his life, Linda. I have never forgotten the reception we had in the garden of his cottage in Conicaval, a small hamlet situated in the Darnaway Forest, near Nairn. A great afternoon and evening, the beer flowed as the sun set on this fantastic rural setting. Linda and Pete went on to have a great life together and were blessed with two fine sons, who have developed into young men that any father would be proud of.

I do have a confession, Whitto, it was me that gave the boys the supermarket trolley to charge around the Officers' Mess at the Families Happy Hour, which resulted in you having a 'hats on interview' with the Station Commander on the following Monday morning.

I know that the Royal Air Force is going through a bad period at the moment, but despite this I also know that Linda and her family will be getting wonderful support from Pete's friends and colleagues who are serving at this present time. Equally, there is great sadness amongst us retired members who served with Pete.

He was a devout Christian, and although I do not share his faith. I know if there is a heaven, Pete will be in the front pew. The Royal Air Force, and society in general have lost a fine man, and both are a lesser place for his parting.

Fly High My Friend. I did fly with Whitto and Live.

[Rossian]

hairyeng check your PMs
The Ancient Mariner

[buoy15]

My 1st flight with Whitto was in Aug 85 on a Tapestry in Area 2 when he was co-pilot to the then Flt Lt Charlebois(RCAF) This was the start of a long and very enjoyable friendship. We became neighbours briefly in Muirton place and I then had to wait until 1993 till we teamed up again together on the GSU.
Pete had a very quick wit and repartee which could have easily inspired "Flashman" of Black Adder fame; he had a story or joke for every ocassion, personality or individual, which created fun and laughter without offence

"Hairyeng flew with Whitto and lived"

A lot of us were fortunate to fly, live and serve with Whitto and enjoy a great time and experience

A tragic loss - Linda and family - thank you for supporting this lovely man in his brief time with us

Buoy 15

[cum grano salis]

Deeply saddened by this terrible news. So many memories of a truly wonderful bloke. One in particular is the time we landed on a Friday evening, got to the scruffs at about 2100, debriefed the crew that had relieved us when they landed some hours later and then the crew that relieved them. After another Guinness with breakfast and one or two more for the road we finally left at about 1000 on the Saturday morning, Pete blamed me and I blamed him.
I'm having a glass or three of red for you right now Pete, you will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and the boys.

[DuaneDibley]

Whitto: Talented, generous warm and witty.

My Capt when on 206/3.
My Flt Cdr when I had CXX/4.

Sad loss of a quality act - condolences to his loved ones.

[DFM]

A quick tribute, if I may.............One of the best after beer call, after dining in, and after an "on det, so let's have a party, speaker's" you could ever have wished to have in your company and have the privelage of working for. Honest, generous, to the point, and simply wasted as a pilot, as he was too funny, entertaining and didn't have an ego! Should have been on the circuit as a stand-up raconteur.

I Remember the Hamlet in Conicavel and just about remember the drinking contest that he and Linda (and rest of the Sqn) engaged in to see off the Portugese Maritme Sqn when he subbed as chief host on CXX many moons ago...........lots and lots of laughter and plenty plenty good times.

Very very sad to hear of his passing, our thoughts are with Linda and boys. Keep on smiling through the hurt guys, and you know the Hairy Eng is right on the money when he said,...... and I paraphrase,...." the RAF and everyone else (even those who didn't know him) have lost a fine man and we find ourself in a lesser place for his parting"......shine on you crazy diamond!

[Rather be Gardening]

A lovely man - kind, decent and eye-wateringly funny. He was proud of his lovely Linda, and of his sons. Truly an officer and a gentlemen, who wasn't afraid to take hard decisions, when the easier option would have been the wrong one. And you should have seen his Ricky Gervais and Doctor Evil impressions!

God Bless, Pete. The world's a poorer place without you.

[Rossian]

To all those who contributed. Linda has read this thread and is deeply moved by your posts, "what a guy I was married to" she said. A sentiment I'm sure we all agree with. The funeral will be at Yately next Wednesday (21st Feb) and a memorial service further down the track.
The Ancient Mariner

[Judge Rembrandt]

Very sad news. My sincerest condolences to Linda and sons on their terrible loss.
I first met ‘Whitto’ when he was a young –ish – Nimrod captain who could fly the ‘Mighty Bunter’ but couldn’t legally drive a car! He was years ahead of Del Boy with his ‘plastic pig’.
I had the pleasure, years later, of working for him when he was Boss of the NOCU. A real work hard, play harder kind of guy – always fun to be with. We shared a love of motorbikes and on a day off during a display stint on the West Coast decided we would rent a couple of bikes. Well we couldn’t find any real bikes, but toured the Nappa Valley and down to San Francisco on a couple of fully dressed Harleys – a fantastic day out in great company! He was a real gent in the finest tradition and as commented on earlier, just a funny, funny man. I’d go so far as to say he was one of the nicest Bosses I have ever ‘torched’ at a beer call and I know he will be missed by all that had the pleasure of coming into contact with him, in whichever format.
RIP Sir.
JP

[Thierry130]

Very very sad news. I worked with Pete in the air many moons ago and on the ground more recently. A really nice guy and a good mate. Condolences to Linda and the family. Rest in Peace my Friend.

[DFM]

Read your PM's:D

[Spiny]

What a bloke, knew him for years. He gave me my nickname years ago and I doubt if anyone actually knows my real name, all because of Whitto!!!
My thoughts go out to Linda and the boys.
I feel sorry for his god up there, he will be entertained by Whitto for ever!
RIP

[MRA4Man]

Hairy Eng that was your finest piece of writing. He was the boy.

I never actually flew with Whitto but we were pilot contemporaries since I joined the Nimrod Force back in '83. He will be sadly missed.

The funeral is on Wednesday but Linda has asked for a relatively private affair and we will respect that.

If you wish to send a condolence card e-mail me direct and I will give you the address rather than publish it here.

We will put together a Memorial Service after Easter probably at Halton for accessibilty to say farewell to a fine man and a great friend.



RIP

[olddog]

I only knew Whitto slightly. I come from a previous generation of maritime aviators, a contemporary of Hairy Eng! My memories are of a naturally funny and happy man who had the same warm smile of greeting for everyone regardless of rank or trade. A true gentleman who made the world a happier and better place. Rest easy Whitto and keep a clear runway for us when we come to join you!

[Recusant]

A really decent, honest and charming bloke.

RIP.

[covec]

I enjoyed serving with you in Cornwall...God Speed.

My condolences to Linda and the family. He is a great loss to the maritime force too...

[Avtur]

Good one Steve!!

[ShortFatOne]

To Linda and the boys I must first say how sorry we were to hear of Pete's passing. Our condolences to you all in this difficult time.

To Whito, who I am sure is reading this as I write, I say what an absolute honour, privilege and pleasure it was to serve with you. From my early days on 42 Sqn at St Mawgan, where you rapidly identified that my forte would not be staff work; the sad lament of the pipes over Algeciras bay as you stood on the wall outside the North Front Mess in Gib playing out the Sqn as it drowned its sorrows of being disbanded; the running battle of wits and practical jokes with a certain Canadian exchange officer (Nige 'not bad for a guy on vacation' Walsworth); being re-united on 42R as Boss and QFI. Most of all we shall never forget your willingness and eagerness to be in our honour guard at our wedding and the joy and happiness you spread on that wonderful day.

Some fantastic memories of the most genuine and honest bloke I think I have ever had the good fortune to meet and, even better, get to know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Stumpy and Alex

p.s See you in the big Scruffs' Bar in the sky, it's your round.

[Rossian]

To all who contributed to this thread:
Pete's Dad read some of the posts here, this afternoon at the service; all of the family has been touched by your generosity. Just all pray that people will find similar things to say about us on our passing.
Thankyou.
The Ancient Mariner

[Zoom]

I didn't know him but I have found this thread a most interesting read about an all-round good egg, and I find myself wanting to know what happened. So, without wishing to appear insensitive or to upset anyone, can I ask what happened?

[TheSmiter]

Top top bloke, one of the best.

Anyone remember the article in the Mail on Sunday magazine (80's vintage) outlining a week in the life of Whitto's crew? Actually very good piece with his humour shining through - the bit I remember especially is the comparison between Whitto and his motor(Reliant Robin) and the dashing young co-pilot (Lamborghini and lots of bling) probably the original Becks!

Always in our thoughts, Pete.

RIP

[Rossian]

TheSmiter:
It was "She" magazine actually and the dashing co-jo was completely suckered by the siggies on the crew as follows. One of them had a sister in law who was Spanish. Got her to write gushing letter about how she'd been overwhelmed by what she'd read in the mag about his flying abilities and how handsome he was. He replied in equally gushing terms. The mail delivery was a bit circuitous but the results of the correspondence (which was extensive) all ended up back on the squadron where finally it was posted on the ops room notice board. Aren't young people cruel? I wonder where HE is now?
The Ancient Mariner

[TheSmiter]

Rossian

Think we may be talking about 2 separate articles and co-pilots - I could be wrong but why let the facts get in the way etc .........

Am pretty sure there was a big spread about a week in the life of Whitto and his 206 crew in the MoS magazine, covering a flight, sim and crew BBQ. The journo was desperate to push the dashing RAF Officer angle; unfortunately Whitto couldn't oblige, so it was left to the suave, sophisticated, well gelled-up and tanned co-pilot (Darren?). Amazingly, he also possessed a sleek red Lamborghini so the image was complete. Darren milked the coverage for all it was worth and allegedly had to fight them off. Much later, the entire Sqn was assembled for a state-of-the-nation. The Boss strode in and was instantly blinded by Darren's engagement ring featuring a massive 'rock' (choosing my words very carefully !) , all parish notices were adjourned while Darren was made to parade his ring in front of the multitude :\ We were no more good for the rest of the day!

Am aware of the other incident, Rossian, involving the 'Spanish' senorita. Believe that was a different spoof on another gullible co carried out by some irksome siggies - wonder if Dai was involved in it?

Two further points:
Co-pilots on the Kipper fleet are still being suckered with depressing regularity, not only by the common soldiery, but also some of the younger AEO's with a bit of 'spiwit' left in them.

Returning to the subject of this thread, Whitto would never allow a siggie to get one over on him. Oops, I forgot, wasn't it Judge Rembrandt who persuaded him to don some tight leathers, jump astride a meaty Harley and cruise through the streets of San Francisco before disappearing into the Nappa Valley sunset together?

And, to the best of my knowledge, neither had served on Guernsey's Own!

Whitto, gentleman aviator and Easy Rider.

[Not Long Here]

Smiter,

Those were the days - the co-pilot was Darryl not Darren and shortly afterwards the car (seem to remember twas a Ferrari) was totalled on the Findhorn Road but all 3 occupents got out safely.

[TheSmiter]

Thank you NLH for filling me in on the minor details!

I guess they were headed for a Crownex (remember those?) pre-George when the place was wall-to-wall and the talk was of wine, women, fast cars and the latest wavetop struggle with Ivan! Afterwards to the Kimberly when the Tikka was less than a fiver.

Happy days, indeed - was very proud to have shared some of them with Whitto.

[Rossian]

The memorial service for Gp Capt Pete Whitaker will be held at the Catholic Memorial Church at RAF Halton on Thurs 19 April 07 at 1200. A reception/wake will follow at Halton House Officers' Mess.
Service personnel attending should wear No1 Service Dress with medals.
Those wishing to attend should tell the project officer by 5 Apr 07. Letters should go to:
SO2 ISTAR Mar
HQ No2 GP
Hurricane Block
RAF High Wycombe
HP14 4UE
or
e-mail [email protected]
If you need accommodation contact Halton accommodation office direct, Raf Halton ext 6163.
Hope to see you there; be prepared to sing lustily (and in tune if you can) and let's give him a good send-off.
The Ancient Mariner