Inspirational

[hippocrates]

Another one passes. What an awesome man.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/23/db2301.xml

[Curtis E Carr]

They don't make 'em like that any more. What a guy!

[LOTA]

Had the pleasure to meet him on a few occasions - and do some work with him as well. What a character,still flouting authority well into old age. A hell raiser, but a gentleman as well. Sad to see him go...

[Early Stacker]

Top Chap! Anybody know if his biog is still available - might just have to add it to my reading list!

[tonker]

I wonder if he would have shaken President wheresmydinnerjacket's hand, and appeared on television appeasing the Iranian regine after being captured?

I think not.:*

[Roland Pulfrew]

Ladies and Gents

In case you didn't know, the DT has produced a series of books covering their military obituaries. IIRC there is a book covering "Airmen's" obits and another series on "military" obits. Not sure if they do a naval version.

A fascinating, humbling and inspirational read if you are interested.

[sycamore]

I used to live in the Sgt`s Mess Annex(accomodation) at Ternhill in `64,and it was called Barthropp House, presumably after Paddy.However,I believe it`s all been pulled down now.....

[exscribbler]

Here you are, Roland:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Telegraph-Book-Naval-Obituaries/dp/1904010911 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Telegraph-Book-Naval-Obituaries/dp/1904010911)

Great men, no matter which Service.

[Green Flash]

Top man. People like us are here, now, because people like him were there, then. :ok:

[Tigs2]

We all seem so much duller these days!:(

If there is an afterlife he will create havoc;)

[teeteringhead]

Early Stacker

Yes! I refer you to the answer I gave earlier this week on the "Good Read" thread ..

Having seen this obituary in today's Torygraph, I've found a secondhand copy of Paddy Barthropp's autobiog (with the help of a South American river .....) which ought to be good.

Loved the bit in the obit about his repatriation as a Kriegie after VE day - nicked a Mercedes fire engine and drove from Lubeck to Brussels - including an overnight stop in Hamburg where he and his companion enjoyed the favours of two frauleins ..... in exchange for a tin of corned beef .....

....... wonder what he'd have thought of today's RAF ........



... and it wasn't the only copy ....:ok:

[tezzer]

Tell me that the 288 Meteor flypast mentioned in the Torygraph article is a typo, please ?

[Wader2]

No, why would it be a typo?

This was a force that bought 200 V-bombers. That could mount an attack on the UK in the 60s with 300 bombers in 20 minutes and meet them with 200 all-weather fighters, mostly Sea Vixen and Lightning.

[henry crun]

tezzer: Coronation Review by Eric Bucklow says that number is a misprint, there were only a total of 264 Meteors in the flypast.

W/C Barthropp did not lead the lot, he was leading formation number 32, comprising twelve aircraft from 63 squadron and twelve from 56.

There were 108 Meteors ahead of him.