Clem Clemett RIP

[hummerUK]

Good evening all,

I’m sorry to announce that my Dad, Sqn Ldr Clem Clemett, passed away yesterday after a short battle with cancer. He spent over 34 years in the RAF as a Navigator, most of that time based at Lyneham on C-130 and I know touched many lives.

I know there are a number of ex-truckie and ex-SF Flt groups are already aware and will be putting out the news and funeral details when we have them but I wanted to make sure as many people as possible had the opportunity to say goodbye to him.

I will update here once we have details for his funeral but it will almost certainly be in the Lyneham/Dauntsey area. Please do private message me if you would like to be kept up to date directly.

Best,

Sqn Ldr Clem Clemett (Jr)

[PapaDolmio]

Hi Clem,

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your dad.
I worked on the ops desk when he was a staff Nav on STS/57R in the 90s and flew with him many times on TS and route trips. One particular trip I remember was the Arnhem 40th Anniversary 12 ship in very marginal weather- we were number 12 and the SKE kit was u/s which made it quite interesting staying with the others at times, not to mention going IMC over the DZ whilst on the run in to drop 80 paras sim stick at, if I'm not mistaken, 800ft. Your dads language was priceless!
I also remember your dog (Key?) who was a constant companion on the sqn and driving his car (a massive citroen?) over to Malmsbury for him once- although I can't remember why!
The last thing that springs to mind was that he ran the STS tea swindle and was often forced to employ 'menaces' in his own inimitable way to cajole us permanently skint Ops staff to pay up! Also during this time he bought a coffee machine for the sqn- unfortunately the coffee for it was rather expensive and funds became low- his solution was to use the 'spare' coffee satchets from the surplus in-flight rations and we must have spent hours with a pair of scissors cutting the satchets and pouring them into the hopper. I hope these anecdotes bring some comfort.

I did 30 years in the RAF and my time at Lyneham was the best 5 years of my career, both professionally and socially. Your dad helped to play a part in this- he was a larger than life character and a real gentleman.

[teeteringhead]

RIP Clem

We were on the same AOTS course at Church Fenton in 1968. Ran into each other now and then, most recently at a reception in RAF Club for those of us (surely some mistake!!) who'd been members for 50 years. Recognised each other straight away....

Blue skies M8.

[Flipster130]

Clem (v1) was an absolute gent (as I am sure is v2)...and a fellow taff. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Flip

[Brian 48nav]

Sad news though not entirely unexpected as Paddy Harper, when he and his lovely lady stayed with us last summer, had intimated that Clem was unwell. I remember him coming to 30, as a first tourist, just about the time we moved from Fairford to Lyneham. Last saw Clem when we called in to see him at Dauntsey about 5 years ago, after spending NYE at Angus and Joans' just up the road at Great Somerford.

RIP my old friend.

[bunta130]

Clem was a very talented nav and fine bloke, with a heart of gold and a real appreciation of and support for those around him (albeit, he may well have given a different impression on first acquaintance).

He was my nav going through the OCU as a young copilot (after his return from HK), and a colleague on STF in the mid 90's. I couldn't have wished for a better chap in either situation, nor a nicer and more genuine mate to have a few beers with.

Blue skies to one of Lyneham's great characters.

My very best wishes and condolences to Clem Jr and the wider family.

Pete D

[Carlisle]

Sad news - Clem was a senior Nav on my first Sqn (LXX) in the 90's and one of those who, despite his initial gruff exterior, took us junior Navs under his wing. I still recall his face (and choice use of words) when he was screening me on my first Para-Wedge sortie and I called "cut" a little too early resulting in DZ score of "one and a half miles at 6 o'clock" thereby joining the infamous Para Wedge 3 (along with Tommo and Veggie). I last met your dad when I was on the staff at Cranwell and therefore assume it would have been at your graduation? A true Gentleman aviator - my condolences to the family - "Per Ardua".

[MechGov]

Sad news. I liked Clem and enjoyed working with him on STS. Blue skies mate.

[Mal Drop]

Clem was one of the finest gentlemen I had the privilege of serving with. Behind his sometimes slightly gruff exterior was an exceptional aviator with a heart of pure gold. He was a legend amongst his fellow Navs and his down-to-earth, practical advice was highly valued by those he taught when he was an STS instructor. Beyond that, he was a key member of the volunteers at IAT and then later, RIAT, where (again) he provided invaluable guidance and, as ever, his wonderful humour. Those of us who knew him will miss him greatly, but I feel enriched for having known him at all.

My condolences on your loss, Huw.

[hummerUK]

Details for Dad’s funeral now confirmed.

The service will be held at 1000 on Thu 7 Mar 24 at:

North Wilts Crematorium
Royal Wootton Bassett
SN4 8ET

The wake will follow on in the Withymead Room, Basset Down Golf Complex, SN4 9QW.

Please let me know via direct message if you’d like to be included in the email distro for any changes or updates.

Best,

Clem