British Helicopter Crash in Iraq
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: somewhere in a 12x12
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wrote a note in my diary........
Simply said...........
Didn't know Kris that well, but well enough to know that I can't buy a top bloke another beer. Tragic loss.
'Nuff said
Simply said...........
Didn't know Kris that well, but well enough to know that I can't buy a top bloke another beer. Tragic loss.
'Nuff said
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only just tracked this down. Was also on UWAS with Kris and shocked to hear the news.
I'll always remember him as an incredibly genuine guy who was seemingly always cheerful. Even when we de-bagged him and threw him in the Moray Firth he still came out with a smile on his face.
A tragic loss - rest in peace Kris
I'll always remember him as an incredibly genuine guy who was seemingly always cheerful. Even when we de-bagged him and threw him in the Moray Firth he still came out with a smile on his face.
A tragic loss - rest in peace Kris
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never knew the guy, but thought this poem would be apt, taken from a book of aviation poetry called 'Because I Fly'
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management -type would e'er be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke!
The kind of a place where a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There MUST be a place where old pilots go, when
Their wings become weary, when their airspeed gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "flown west" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if the thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the mist you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he'd taught YOU to fly,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased you are here!
For this is the place where true flyers come,
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.."
"This is Heaven, my son: You've passed your last check!"
RIP
TheBeeKeeper
(DH82b)
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management -type would e'er be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke!
The kind of a place where a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There MUST be a place where old pilots go, when
Their wings become weary, when their airspeed gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "flown west" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if the thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the mist you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he'd taught YOU to fly,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased you are here!
For this is the place where true flyers come,
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.."
"This is Heaven, my son: You've passed your last check!"
RIP
TheBeeKeeper
(DH82b)
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Dorset
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a contemporary Red Dragon I was gutted when I found out this morning about his tragic death. Kris had a heart of gold - my condolences to his family and Squadron oppos at this time.
I remember Kris as a fun yet conscientious chap who always saw the bright side, though it did take him a while to forgive me for the 'ring' game + forks incident at Swanton Morley!
Fly safe and I hope there were a good crop of "Red Dragons in the house tonight!" to say goodbye.
I remember Kris as a fun yet conscientious chap who always saw the bright side, though it did take him a while to forgive me for the 'ring' game + forks incident at Swanton Morley!
Fly safe and I hope there were a good crop of "Red Dragons in the house tonight!" to say goodbye.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Attended the funeral today. The Padre quoted the PPrune comments above, along with the comment: From THE website!
Give Benson their due, they sent him off in a class act. Wont bring him back though, and for all that he could talk for Britain, he was an all round good egg and will be missed a lot on the Puma fleet, and from the previous comments he made a lot of friends along the way. The nature of the service today fitted the individual perfectly and included a well written obituary strongly read by his sister. The crews that did the "missing man" were faultless from where I was standing. Couldnt see the day out sadly, but I just know that there will be some serious bad heads in Wally world tomorrow. Concluding with the final verse read by his mum:
We will remember him: Au Revoir Kris
Give Benson their due, they sent him off in a class act. Wont bring him back though, and for all that he could talk for Britain, he was an all round good egg and will be missed a lot on the Puma fleet, and from the previous comments he made a lot of friends along the way. The nature of the service today fitted the individual perfectly and included a well written obituary strongly read by his sister. The crews that did the "missing man" were faultless from where I was standing. Couldnt see the day out sadly, but I just know that there will be some serious bad heads in Wally world tomorrow. Concluding with the final verse read by his mum:
We will remember him: Au Revoir Kris
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Blackpool
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kris Gover
I was one of Kris's closest friends. Been through 2 and a half years in Ireland with him, CR workup on 33 sqn and a few days of being in Iraq together. All I can say is that Kris was without doubt the most genuine nicest bloke that ever lived. His enthusiasm and zest for life puts us all to shame. I feel that part of me died with him that sad day but am fully dedicated to keeping his memory alive.
Sorely missed bloke, miss him walking into my boyfriends room insisting on a few beers, and then staying for a few hours! But through my tears I always smile when I think of him. Love you always Kris, M.
Sorely missed bloke, miss him walking into my boyfriends room insisting on a few beers, and then staying for a few hours! But through my tears I always smile when I think of him. Love you always Kris, M.
