Les West 1924-2010
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Les West 1923-2010
My Dad passed away last night in his nursing home where he'd been for the last 6 years or so. Apologies for using this forum to announce the news but he was one of the last ATC 'characters' of the old school; of course I'm biased and memories can be selective too!
The Ministry of Aviation, the MCA, Board of Trade, CAA, NATS all had the pleasure of employing him in a job he loved doing. He never got to travel much in his ATC career (his choice), after a stint in Redhill Tower he got a posting to Heathrow Tower in the 50s (northside!), SATCC only 200 yards away, then to the 'new' Heathrow Tower about 800 yards away, CATO Uxbridge, a massive 5 miles away then back to Heathrow Tower til he retired in 1983. He never worked at West Drayton for which he was eternally grateful ha!ha!
I was about 12 when I got the ATC 'bug'. Listening to him at home sharing stories with the likes of Freddie Frost, Ted Elliot, Aubrey (Hilly) Hilliard, Jack Hollis etc, they were in stitches with laughter for most of the time. OK, it was a different world back in those days but it sounded bloody FUN!! His familiarisation flight list is extensive. I've got his reports somewhere!
I'm sounding like him now but the younger ATC generation - through no fault of their own - can't begin to realise how relatively primitive ATC was in those days; procedural separation, primary radar that failed often, the aircraft types in the 50s and 60s blah blah LOL (that's enough nostalgia! Ed).
He had standards, a sense of fair play and above all a sense of humour. He had his moments, don't we all? I'm glad I scraped through my 'O'/'A' levels (too much time 'plane spotting) to join ATC myself back in 1973 and be a part of his world first hand and continue the appreciation of how UK ATC has altered in the last 60 years; I guess you had to be there.
He's always been given honourable and affectionate mentions at Heathrow Nostalgia evenings thanks to Al Carter and Brendan McCartney (Sidney Greenstreet, "Will Les's suit ever come back into fashion", the 20 year attempts at dieting - "Les West fell over in the corridor and rocked himself to sleep trying to get up"). He passed away at the end of a first half, remember those? He'd have appreciated that irony too.
Thanks for your patience in reading this, if nothing else it's helped me gather my memories on a decent chap.
The Ministry of Aviation, the MCA, Board of Trade, CAA, NATS all had the pleasure of employing him in a job he loved doing. He never got to travel much in his ATC career (his choice), after a stint in Redhill Tower he got a posting to Heathrow Tower in the 50s (northside!), SATCC only 200 yards away, then to the 'new' Heathrow Tower about 800 yards away, CATO Uxbridge, a massive 5 miles away then back to Heathrow Tower til he retired in 1983. He never worked at West Drayton for which he was eternally grateful ha!ha!
I was about 12 when I got the ATC 'bug'. Listening to him at home sharing stories with the likes of Freddie Frost, Ted Elliot, Aubrey (Hilly) Hilliard, Jack Hollis etc, they were in stitches with laughter for most of the time. OK, it was a different world back in those days but it sounded bloody FUN!! His familiarisation flight list is extensive. I've got his reports somewhere!
I'm sounding like him now but the younger ATC generation - through no fault of their own - can't begin to realise how relatively primitive ATC was in those days; procedural separation, primary radar that failed often, the aircraft types in the 50s and 60s blah blah LOL (that's enough nostalgia! Ed).
He had standards, a sense of fair play and above all a sense of humour. He had his moments, don't we all? I'm glad I scraped through my 'O'/'A' levels (too much time 'plane spotting) to join ATC myself back in 1973 and be a part of his world first hand and continue the appreciation of how UK ATC has altered in the last 60 years; I guess you had to be there.
He's always been given honourable and affectionate mentions at Heathrow Nostalgia evenings thanks to Al Carter and Brendan McCartney (Sidney Greenstreet, "Will Les's suit ever come back into fashion", the 20 year attempts at dieting - "Les West fell over in the corridor and rocked himself to sleep trying to get up"). He passed away at the end of a first half, remember those? He'd have appreciated that irony too.
Thanks for your patience in reading this, if nothing else it's helped me gather my memories on a decent chap.
Last edited by Lobby Ludd; 8th Jun 2010 at 19:16. Reason: Additional info
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My condolences to you and your family.
Les was the first Watch Supervisor I had at Heathrow; I remember that he often spoke out loud to the TurkAir ?B727? that would be parked in T2 just below us. He'd say 'Hava Yollari? - no thanks, I just had one'.
Les was the first Watch Supervisor I had at Heathrow; I remember that he often spoke out loud to the TurkAir ?B727? that would be parked in T2 just below us. He'd say 'Hava Yollari? - no thanks, I just had one'.
More than just an ATCO
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Although I can never recall meeting him I was familiar with the namr. Not many of the real old timers left now.
My generation has already started to pass on too, maybe time for a "Remember when ... " thread?
My condolences to his friends and family
My generation has already started to pass on too, maybe time for a "Remember when ... " thread?
My condolences to his friends and family
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A desperately sad day for those of us who knew Les, although probably the vast number of youngsters in ATC now will not have heard of him, which is their loss. It always astounds me how true characters can simply vanish, but with the turnover of staff it is inevitable.
I could write pages about the 10 years I spent working with Les. I was never on his watch, but used to spin with them on afternoons. We had fun times galore!
One afternoon Mary Took shouted that there was an emergency; Les leapt out of the supervisors' chair and crashed down in the middle of the approach room. When he got up he bore an extraordinary resemblance to Captain Mainwaring, with his tie round his neck and his glasses over his ear!!
Then there was the day Les brought up a group of wet-behind-the-ears BA command course types. He'd told them that the Supervisor had to be fully aware of what's going on both in the tower and approach but just as he arrived in the tower there was the screaming roar of a Sea Fury (or something similar) doing a barrel roll along runway 05R, which Les certainly did not know about! The SVFR Director had conveniently cleared it "across Heathrow, along runway 05, not above 1500ft", with very strong emphasise on the "not above". The pilot got the message and we all enjoyed the show. Poor Les probably had lots of phone calls later!
The French were on strike and as the afternoon watch arrived there was a definite lull in the traffic with nothing in the approach sector. We found that Les was on his way so we fixed with the TMA guys to hang on to any traffic for 5 minutes and we all hid behind the radar consoles. Les came bowling in to take over watch to find the entire London Approach room empty!!
When Les retired, I was on my first afternoon spin with B watch. They told me that there would be a small send-off "do" the following evening and that I should wear a bow tie. I never took B Watch seriously so my wife made me a huge bow-tie, about 2 feet wide, out of psychedelic orange and blue material. Of course, when I arrived at work dressed like a circus clown, all of B Watch were wearing their best DJs, frilled shirts and smart bows. At least Les saw the funny side of it!
The bit about Les's suit was a classic. Les was walking around in the approach room and one of the controllers intercommed his colleague and said: "Will Les' suit ever come back into fashion?" A short while later there was a level bust and an incident. When the official transcript appeared sometime later it included all intercom and that sentence had, in the remarks column, the standard phrase "not believed to have and relevance to the incident". When Les retired, one of the controllers involved in that incident wrote "I shall miss the Sidney Greenstreet suits, Les".
I hope you're laughing up there, Les.... What a joy it was to work with you in those Golden Days 30+ years ago. Thanks for the great times.
I offer my very sincere condolences to Les's family. Watch the sky each night - that star twinkling so brightly is probably Les..
RIP and God Bless Les.
Brendan McCartney
I could write pages about the 10 years I spent working with Les. I was never on his watch, but used to spin with them on afternoons. We had fun times galore!
One afternoon Mary Took shouted that there was an emergency; Les leapt out of the supervisors' chair and crashed down in the middle of the approach room. When he got up he bore an extraordinary resemblance to Captain Mainwaring, with his tie round his neck and his glasses over his ear!!
Then there was the day Les brought up a group of wet-behind-the-ears BA command course types. He'd told them that the Supervisor had to be fully aware of what's going on both in the tower and approach but just as he arrived in the tower there was the screaming roar of a Sea Fury (or something similar) doing a barrel roll along runway 05R, which Les certainly did not know about! The SVFR Director had conveniently cleared it "across Heathrow, along runway 05, not above 1500ft", with very strong emphasise on the "not above". The pilot got the message and we all enjoyed the show. Poor Les probably had lots of phone calls later!
The French were on strike and as the afternoon watch arrived there was a definite lull in the traffic with nothing in the approach sector. We found that Les was on his way so we fixed with the TMA guys to hang on to any traffic for 5 minutes and we all hid behind the radar consoles. Les came bowling in to take over watch to find the entire London Approach room empty!!
When Les retired, I was on my first afternoon spin with B watch. They told me that there would be a small send-off "do" the following evening and that I should wear a bow tie. I never took B Watch seriously so my wife made me a huge bow-tie, about 2 feet wide, out of psychedelic orange and blue material. Of course, when I arrived at work dressed like a circus clown, all of B Watch were wearing their best DJs, frilled shirts and smart bows. At least Les saw the funny side of it!
The bit about Les's suit was a classic. Les was walking around in the approach room and one of the controllers intercommed his colleague and said: "Will Les' suit ever come back into fashion?" A short while later there was a level bust and an incident. When the official transcript appeared sometime later it included all intercom and that sentence had, in the remarks column, the standard phrase "not believed to have and relevance to the incident". When Les retired, one of the controllers involved in that incident wrote "I shall miss the Sidney Greenstreet suits, Les".
I hope you're laughing up there, Les.... What a joy it was to work with you in those Golden Days 30+ years ago. Thanks for the great times.
I offer my very sincere condolences to Les's family. Watch the sky each night - that star twinkling so brightly is probably Les..
RIP and God Bless Les.
Brendan McCartney
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Dave,
My condolences to you and your family.
I was on B Watch and worked with your Dad for a number of years.
I had great fun whilst on the watch, with all the jokers, well I suppose they were controllers as well.
Your Dad was a good chap.
Over and Out.
My condolences to you and your family.
I was on B Watch and worked with your Dad for a number of years.
I had great fun whilst on the watch, with all the jokers, well I suppose they were controllers as well.
Your Dad was a good chap.
Over and Out.
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Dave
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was one of the best!
It was thanks to him that I got my cadetship, which you and I shared, and opened the door to the best career anyone could have.
Many years of mirth and satisfaction followed.
Thanks LW!
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was one of the best!
It was thanks to him that I got my cadetship, which you and I shared, and opened the door to the best career anyone could have.
Many years of mirth and satisfaction followed.
Thanks LW!
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
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As said before Dave, sad news indeed. Lyn and I only spent a few months on B watch before we headed over the pond, but many good memories in those months.
Condolences,
Barry & Lyn
Condolences,
Barry & Lyn
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I was on D watch in the early 70's and spent many night duties listening in awe to the Hollis/West laugh in. Much better than Live at the Apollo.
I even went on a fam. flight to LLLD with Waud and Hickman meeting Les there. We hired a car and drove to the Red Sea . Really hot we were dressed accordingly. Les was in his Sidney Greenstreet suit - white bowling hat,bow tie and his flappy suit. We thought about setting up a stall to take his picture but thought better of it. Anyway on the way back we come upon an arab leading a camel. Les ever ready for a photo opportunity says stop. I stop, Les goes back. Keith, Al and I are snoozing in the heat when I look in the mirror and see Les being pursued by arab and camel and cries of "money,money,money" from the arab. The other two say drive off. I have never seen Les so active. I thought about driving off,but I realised he was doing our fam.flight reports.He clambered in , he was breathless until we reached Tel Aviv. I reckon I saved your dad's life that day Dave and well worth it. Shame on you Keith(up there) and AH.
I may now have to lay to rest the real Les West's trouser story. I have regaled in the story so many times but it always gets a laugh. It is still available in airmiss report LY 219 - BE 5120 South of OCK circa 1971 give or take a year. Those call signs might not be quite right.
I still remember your dad plonking you on the lighting panel with your spotter's book on D watch. Have you still got those shorts?
He was a little great character, I miss him alredy,see you soon Dave.
AC
I even went on a fam. flight to LLLD with Waud and Hickman meeting Les there. We hired a car and drove to the Red Sea . Really hot we were dressed accordingly. Les was in his Sidney Greenstreet suit - white bowling hat,bow tie and his flappy suit. We thought about setting up a stall to take his picture but thought better of it. Anyway on the way back we come upon an arab leading a camel. Les ever ready for a photo opportunity says stop. I stop, Les goes back. Keith, Al and I are snoozing in the heat when I look in the mirror and see Les being pursued by arab and camel and cries of "money,money,money" from the arab. The other two say drive off. I have never seen Les so active. I thought about driving off,but I realised he was doing our fam.flight reports.He clambered in , he was breathless until we reached Tel Aviv. I reckon I saved your dad's life that day Dave and well worth it. Shame on you Keith(up there) and AH.
I may now have to lay to rest the real Les West's trouser story. I have regaled in the story so many times but it always gets a laugh. It is still available in airmiss report LY 219 - BE 5120 South of OCK circa 1971 give or take a year. Those call signs might not be quite right.
I still remember your dad plonking you on the lighting panel with your spotter's book on D watch. Have you still got those shorts?
He was a little great character, I miss him alredy,see you soon Dave.
AC
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Originally Posted by ace freighters
Have you still got those shorts?
D, sincere condolences to you and your family.
S.M.E.G.
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I joined B watch as a young ATCA in 1981 and Les was my watch manager. What an introduction to ATC. I have nothing but great memories of a great man. He was a truly exceptional character that always made everyone laugh.
R.I.P.
R.I.P.
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Dave
I worked with your Dad on both D & B Watches through the 70s and 80s. A true gent and a great character who will be sadly missed. I have many happy memories of him through those years, especially the Mary Took incident, and I felt very privileged to be asked to make a presentation to him on his retirement. Please accept my condolences to you and your family.
R.I.P. Les
Arthur Budd
I worked with your Dad on both D & B Watches through the 70s and 80s. A true gent and a great character who will be sadly missed. I have many happy memories of him through those years, especially the Mary Took incident, and I felt very privileged to be asked to make a presentation to him on his retirement. Please accept my condolences to you and your family.
R.I.P. Les
Arthur Budd
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Les's Tel Aviv Fam Flight Report 19/2/69-23/2/69
Al,
I've just dug out his report on that Fam trip, it's 5 pages long! ELAL LY234 outbound London-Rome-Tel Aviv. The day before terrorists had attacked an ELAL aircraft at Zurich so the airline was in a bit of disarray to say the least. Whilst he was out there he reports that there were border incursions, bomb attack in a Jerusalem supermarket and a bus struck a landmine! Just as he was about to board the return flight an airport truck damaged the B707 causing a 3 hour delay and an aircraft switch which routed back via Zurich (LY411)! By the way, I haven't got those shorts but I've still got the spotters book!
I've just dug out his report on that Fam trip, it's 5 pages long! ELAL LY234 outbound London-Rome-Tel Aviv. The day before terrorists had attacked an ELAL aircraft at Zurich so the airline was in a bit of disarray to say the least. Whilst he was out there he reports that there were border incursions, bomb attack in a Jerusalem supermarket and a bus struck a landmine! Just as he was about to board the return flight an airport truck damaged the B707 causing a 3 hour delay and an aircraft switch which routed back via Zurich (LY411)! By the way, I haven't got those shorts but I've still got the spotters book!
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Thanks for the memories
Thank you to all of you for your kind words, it's brought a big smile to all the family recalling these stories.
I believe his habit of whistling whilst coming up the Heathrow Tower steep stairs at the end of the night shift gave the ATC staff up there enough time to clear away the old cups and newspapers before he puffed his way to the top. Such thoughtfulness!
I'm currently working my way through his ATC paperwork, fascinating! For example he was awarded £3 by the MoA Central Suggestion Scheme Committee in Sept 1965 for suggesting that the reporting point of Abm Dieppe should be renamed Fecamp to avoid confusion to both London and Paris ATCCs. Shortened to FC and then realigned to ETT Etretat (ETRAT) on the new Amber 34. He also introduced 'VR' (Veule-les-Rose) on Amber 1, VRO then VEULE. His legacy lives on!!
I believe his habit of whistling whilst coming up the Heathrow Tower steep stairs at the end of the night shift gave the ATC staff up there enough time to clear away the old cups and newspapers before he puffed his way to the top. Such thoughtfulness!
I'm currently working my way through his ATC paperwork, fascinating! For example he was awarded £3 by the MoA Central Suggestion Scheme Committee in Sept 1965 for suggesting that the reporting point of Abm Dieppe should be renamed Fecamp to avoid confusion to both London and Paris ATCCs. Shortened to FC and then realigned to ETT Etretat (ETRAT) on the new Amber 34. He also introduced 'VR' (Veule-les-Rose) on Amber 1, VRO then VEULE. His legacy lives on!!
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When I arrived at LL as a Cadet in the early 70's I had the pleasure of being posted to B Watch and the unforgettable Les & Harry (the colonel) show. After graduation I continued at LL as an ATCO and thought what a great job and everywhere else must be like this!
Brendan's bow tie, flying paper planes off the balcony to see if we could get them to the Queens Building, the trouser incident - all true and more. Les's perpetual diet was another - "how's the diet going Les, is it hard?" "No I can eat as much as I want, only thing is I'm now eating lunch for 3 weeks time" was the reply.
The noise level on the Watch was something else but the list of characters on the Watch was superb all led by the unforgettable Les.
God bless, thanks for the great times.
Malcolm Ross
Brendan's bow tie, flying paper planes off the balcony to see if we could get them to the Queens Building, the trouser incident - all true and more. Les's perpetual diet was another - "how's the diet going Les, is it hard?" "No I can eat as much as I want, only thing is I'm now eating lunch for 3 weeks time" was the reply.
The noise level on the Watch was something else but the list of characters on the Watch was superb all led by the unforgettable Les.
God bless, thanks for the great times.
Malcolm Ross
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While I'm not in the ATC circle I do recall my schools days in Twickenham where I watched traffic going into Heathrow and at the same time hearing them on a radio (well a detuned VHF set). There's a very good chance I heard a few of you with Les.
From what you folk's have written there's no doubt that aviation has lost a true charactor.
RIP
From what you folk's have written there's no doubt that aviation has lost a true charactor.
RIP
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Windowjob
Ah, I remember the paper darts.
First day in the job as an ATCA 3, and I walk from the bus stop in the central area to the tower through a carpet of the things. For some reason, the immortal Paddy Haycock was doing a tour of duty in the training section....he explained what they were all about as he took me across for a tour of Queens building and Flight Clearance.
Never worked with Les West, but knew him by sight and reputation....one of the Hall of Fame ATCOs.....RIP
Ah, I remember the paper darts.
First day in the job as an ATCA 3, and I walk from the bus stop in the central area to the tower through a carpet of the things. For some reason, the immortal Paddy Haycock was doing a tour of duty in the training section....he explained what they were all about as he took me across for a tour of Queens building and Flight Clearance.
Never worked with Les West, but knew him by sight and reputation....one of the Hall of Fame ATCOs.....RIP
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Dave
I was also on D watch from 1971 and remember your dad very well as our deputy watch supervisor to Jack Hollis. I also remember you turning up on a regular basis presumably on school holiday time? I have to admit to being one of the participants in "the Les West trouser mystery". It's funny but I don't remember what the actual incident was but I was on No1 south and John Cant on No1 North when John intercommed the trouser comment! I replied and low and behold we had an incident within a minute or so. Forms were filled in and in due course the transcript was produced where the offending comments came to light. I remember being lectured on the need to be aware when using the R/T / intercom that all was recorded by Jack Hollis I think!! Ah well.
Seems a long time ago now but I do remember him well. Wishing you and all of your family the very best.
Take care Dave
PL
I was also on D watch from 1971 and remember your dad very well as our deputy watch supervisor to Jack Hollis. I also remember you turning up on a regular basis presumably on school holiday time? I have to admit to being one of the participants in "the Les West trouser mystery". It's funny but I don't remember what the actual incident was but I was on No1 south and John Cant on No1 North when John intercommed the trouser comment! I replied and low and behold we had an incident within a minute or so. Forms were filled in and in due course the transcript was produced where the offending comments came to light. I remember being lectured on the need to be aware when using the R/T / intercom that all was recorded by Jack Hollis I think!! Ah well.
Seems a long time ago now but I do remember him well. Wishing you and all of your family the very best.
Take care Dave
PL
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Hi Dave
Only just read your post sitting on the ferry heading 'across' from the IOM.
So sorry to hear of your loss, Les was my watch manager at EGLL for the short time I was there from 76 - 79. Always very amiable, even when we locked horns on my second solo night shift as App ATCA over who's job it was to make the tea!
All the best
Jon Wornham
EGNS
Only just read your post sitting on the ferry heading 'across' from the IOM.
So sorry to hear of your loss, Les was my watch manager at EGLL for the short time I was there from 76 - 79. Always very amiable, even when we locked horns on my second solo night shift as App ATCA over who's job it was to make the tea!
All the best
Jon Wornham
EGNS
