Brit Helicopter down in Basra? 6/5/06
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I've already posted earlier, but I just had to post again to express my dreadful shock and utter sadness after hearing who the crew was.
None of them will ever be forgotten. Their place in history is secured forever and we aviators that are left can only recall the wonderful and happy times we shared with our fallen colleagues, and hold them in the honour they deserve. I am humbled to have known them.
Their nearest and dearest will be well cared for and looked after, because that is what we do, and frankly we do it well.
God Bless you all, you are so very much in all our thoughts and prayers.
Mr & Mrs Swinging Monkey
None of them will ever be forgotten. Their place in history is secured forever and we aviators that are left can only recall the wonderful and happy times we shared with our fallen colleagues, and hold them in the honour they deserve. I am humbled to have known them.
Their nearest and dearest will be well cared for and looked after, because that is what we do, and frankly we do it well.
God Bless you all, you are so very much in all our thoughts and prayers.
Mr & Mrs Swinging Monkey
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A tragic loss...., and heartfelt condolences to the families of those involved in this incident.
If I may...., a word of comfort to those left behind ....,
from a quotation by Henry Scott Holland....
"Death is nothing at all......
I have only slipped away into the next room....
Call me by my own familiar name....
Speak to me in the easy way which we always used....
Put no difference in your tone....
Wear no false air of solemnity or sorrow....
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes together.....
Please smile. Think of me, Pray for me....."
If I may...., a word of comfort to those left behind ....,
from a quotation by Henry Scott Holland....
"Death is nothing at all......
I have only slipped away into the next room....
Call me by my own familiar name....
Speak to me in the easy way which we always used....
Put no difference in your tone....
Wear no false air of solemnity or sorrow....
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes together.....
Please smile. Think of me, Pray for me....."
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My deepest sympathy to all families and friends.
I didn't know any of them but did work with Sarah's husband Lee during my time in the RAF. - Scouse, words probably won't help much at the moment but my thoughts are with you. Take care mate. Very best regards, Vinny (Leeming '91-'96)
I didn't know any of them but did work with Sarah's husband Lee during my time in the RAF. - Scouse, words probably won't help much at the moment but my thoughts are with you. Take care mate. Very best regards, Vinny (Leeming '91-'96)
Gentleman Aviator
What a tragedy, and yet another indication of how truly joint the Force is now, despite the inter-cap badge banter.
JC I knew best - he was almost too much of a gentleman for the SH Force - but two of the others slightly. JC I remember first as a stude at Shawbury; looking at my logbook I see I did his end of course check on the Wessex. I also recall him as a very diplomatic Course Leader when his course got into a punch-up in Shrewsbury!! As ShyTorque notes above, he had to work hard, but was the embodiment of the theory that those who didn't find it easy themselves at first become the best instructors. He certainly was one of the best, as subsequent tours running the Gazelles at Shawbz and (a post he was born to do) R & S Wing at Benz showed.
Someone once said that anyone who joins the military, particularly as an aviator, writes a cheque they hope will never be cashed... for these it was cashed far too soon. It also seems wrong to this aging aviator that yet another of his ex-studes has got to the Big Happy Hour in the Sky before he has. See you there one day fellas (and S-J).
RIP all and condolences to all whom they loved and who loved them.
Top idea on the booklet Fantaman.
JC I knew best - he was almost too much of a gentleman for the SH Force - but two of the others slightly. JC I remember first as a stude at Shawbury; looking at my logbook I see I did his end of course check on the Wessex. I also recall him as a very diplomatic Course Leader when his course got into a punch-up in Shrewsbury!! As ShyTorque notes above, he had to work hard, but was the embodiment of the theory that those who didn't find it easy themselves at first become the best instructors. He certainly was one of the best, as subsequent tours running the Gazelles at Shawbz and (a post he was born to do) R & S Wing at Benz showed.
Someone once said that anyone who joins the military, particularly as an aviator, writes a cheque they hope will never be cashed... for these it was cashed far too soon. It also seems wrong to this aging aviator that yet another of his ex-studes has got to the Big Happy Hour in the Sky before he has. See you there one day fellas (and S-J).
RIP all and condolences to all whom they loved and who loved them.
Top idea on the booklet Fantaman.
RIP and my thoughts go out to you and your families at this dark time.
A top idea though Fantaman. There are many over on E-Goat who knew them, I'm sure they wouldn't mind being added to a book of condolence.
http://www.e-goat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=956
A top idea though Fantaman. There are many over on E-Goat who knew them, I'm sure they wouldn't mind being added to a book of condolence.
http://www.e-goat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=956
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I rarely post, and never before in this forum as I am not serving military, but the news of this tragedy has deeply moved me as I grew up around former and serving RAF and Army personnel overseas and have many fond memories of good times.
My heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of these five fine people who were doing a wonderful job in very difficult conditions. May their names live for evermore in all our hearts. Sleep well.
God Bless all our men and women serving in Iraq. Stay safe.
Thank you.
My heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of these five fine people who were doing a wonderful job in very difficult conditions. May their names live for evermore in all our hearts. Sleep well.
God Bless all our men and women serving in Iraq. Stay safe.
Thank you.
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Terrible news for the Junglie / SH communities - both past & present. Dazza, you were an inspiration. So many fond memories (at work & play!) RIP. My sympathies to the families of all involved. C
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My sincere condolences to the families of those involved in this incident. May the comments and contributions of these posts give you some comfort during these very difficult days. They were clearly very special and well thought of people. May they rest in peace.
To those that continue to serve in Iraq, our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are doing a remarkable job in such very difficult circumstances. Best wishes to you all.
To those that continue to serve in Iraq, our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are doing a remarkable job in such very difficult circumstances. Best wishes to you all.
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Remember by Christina Rosetti
A moving poem. summarising loss, grief, happy memories and hopes for the future of those who are bereaved and live on.
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
My sympathy to the bereaved and all their relatives and friends.
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
My sympathy to the bereaved and all their relatives and friends.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I thought that some quotes from Omar Khayam Rubaiyat would be fitting here
Khayam, if you are intoxicated with wine, enjoy!
If you are seated with a lover of thine, enjoy!
In the end, the Void the whole world employ
Imagine thou art not, while waiting in line, enjoy
Meaning:
In life devote yourself to joy and love
Behold the beauty of the peaceful dove
Those who live, in the end must all perish
Live as if you are already in heavens above
Literal:
O friend, for the morrow let us not worry
This moment we have now, let us not hurry
When our time comes, we shall not tarry
With seven thousand-year-olds, our burden carry.
Meaning:
O hark, let us not think of the morrow
Cherish this moment, far from sorrow
Life is a temporal gift that we borrow
Whether dead for ages, or leave tomorrow.
Literal:
In childhood we strove to go to school,
Our turn to teach, joyous as a rule
The end of the story is sad and cruel
From dust we came, and gone with winds cool.
Meaning:
Pursuing knowledge in childhood we rise
Until we become masterful and wise
But if we look through the disguise
We see the ties of worldly lies.
Literal:
When the canary made its way to the field
Found the rose and wine smiling, kneeled,
In tongues its message in my ear it thus reeled
Hark, no moment in time did twice yield.
Meaning:
I watched the birds on nature’s stage
Playful, in flight, page after page
Thus opened the doors of my cage
& learnt each moment to fully engage.
Literal:
Heaven is incomplete without a heavenly romance
Let a glass of wine be my present circumstance
Take what is here now, let go of a promised chance
A drumbeat is best heard from a distance.
Meaning:
A future fantasy is no more than vain hope
With wishful minds for which we grope
I’d rather improve my current scope
To an upward trend from a downward slope
Literal:
The day the stallion of time was tamed and trained
Venus and Jupiter were adorned and stained
This life for us was allotted and ordained
This was not our will; were thus chained and restrained.
Meaning:
Same hands that formed Venus and Sun
And wove the fabric that makes time run
Same hands brought us here, and when done
Will leave behind dust, as if we were none.
God bless the five who gave their lives for this country and the good folk of Iraq. You will find no suicide bombers at the gates of heaven. you will share eternal peace with the good and the great
RIP
EM
Khayam, if you are intoxicated with wine, enjoy!
If you are seated with a lover of thine, enjoy!
In the end, the Void the whole world employ
Imagine thou art not, while waiting in line, enjoy
Meaning:
In life devote yourself to joy and love
Behold the beauty of the peaceful dove
Those who live, in the end must all perish
Live as if you are already in heavens above
Literal:
O friend, for the morrow let us not worry
This moment we have now, let us not hurry
When our time comes, we shall not tarry
With seven thousand-year-olds, our burden carry.
Meaning:
O hark, let us not think of the morrow
Cherish this moment, far from sorrow
Life is a temporal gift that we borrow
Whether dead for ages, or leave tomorrow.
Literal:
In childhood we strove to go to school,
Our turn to teach, joyous as a rule
The end of the story is sad and cruel
From dust we came, and gone with winds cool.
Meaning:
Pursuing knowledge in childhood we rise
Until we become masterful and wise
But if we look through the disguise
We see the ties of worldly lies.
Literal:
When the canary made its way to the field
Found the rose and wine smiling, kneeled,
In tongues its message in my ear it thus reeled
Hark, no moment in time did twice yield.
Meaning:
I watched the birds on nature’s stage
Playful, in flight, page after page
Thus opened the doors of my cage
& learnt each moment to fully engage.
Literal:
Heaven is incomplete without a heavenly romance
Let a glass of wine be my present circumstance
Take what is here now, let go of a promised chance
A drumbeat is best heard from a distance.
Meaning:
A future fantasy is no more than vain hope
With wishful minds for which we grope
I’d rather improve my current scope
To an upward trend from a downward slope
Literal:
The day the stallion of time was tamed and trained
Venus and Jupiter were adorned and stained
This life for us was allotted and ordained
This was not our will; were thus chained and restrained.
Meaning:
Same hands that formed Venus and Sun
And wove the fabric that makes time run
Same hands brought us here, and when done
Will leave behind dust, as if we were none.
God bless the five who gave their lives for this country and the good folk of Iraq. You will find no suicide bombers at the gates of heaven. you will share eternal peace with the good and the great
RIP
EM
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Originally Posted by fantaman
Evening Folks,
I must admit that even though I didn't know any of the souls on board the helicopter, I'm not surprised by the response on pprune. It would appear that those who did know them, held them all in highest regard.
With everyone’s blessing I would like to put an idea forward. At the end of this month, I would like to take all the comments and post's from this thread (apart from the press/question related ones) and turn them into a book of condolence. I will find a tasteful book cover and with the help of the local graphic’s section will print off the thoughts.
I will then send three copies to 847 Sqn and two to RAF Benson so that our late colleagues families and friends can see that although the crew may be gone, they have not been forgotten. I'm sure the family and friends already but I think it would be a nice way to honour them.
Please feel fee to agree or disagree with the idea and let me know your thoughts, both good and bad.
Thanks
I must admit that even though I didn't know any of the souls on board the helicopter, I'm not surprised by the response on pprune. It would appear that those who did know them, held them all in highest regard.
With everyone’s blessing I would like to put an idea forward. At the end of this month, I would like to take all the comments and post's from this thread (apart from the press/question related ones) and turn them into a book of condolence. I will find a tasteful book cover and with the help of the local graphic’s section will print off the thoughts.
I will then send three copies to 847 Sqn and two to RAF Benson so that our late colleagues families and friends can see that although the crew may be gone, they have not been forgotten. I'm sure the family and friends already but I think it would be a nice way to honour them.
Please feel fee to agree or disagree with the idea and let me know your thoughts, both good and bad.
Thanks
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it may be early and forgive me, but can anyone at Yeovs tell me if there is a service planned at St Barts. I'm long gone from Somerset and the mob, but still drop in there evry so often to remember lost friends.
Thanks
PM
Thanks
PM
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A terrible day
Im re writing this message as i put it in the wrong place yesterday,sorry but i wanted it to be included with eveyone elses for the family.Of course our hearts and thoughts go to all the people were taken,but this is for the family and friends of captain david dobson.On our last posting in ni i worked in the place david called home,and would like you to know your son was a perfect gentleman kind,sincere,considerate and genuine and as a mother of four sons and a wife of one it was a pleasure and a privallige to look after him,and sneak him extra black cherry yoghurts!god bless you all.
Mrs and Mr Bikeface
Mrs and Mr Bikeface
Strangers to me they all were, but I am still saddened by their tragic passing, as I am with all our losses. Sincere condolences to familes, friends and colleagues, I hope you all find the strength and help you need at this time.
Fantaman, an excellent idea, best of luck in your endeavours.
A2QFI, I've seen that poem before, a fine and poignant post...
Best wishes all
Jobza
Fantaman, an excellent idea, best of luck in your endeavours.
A2QFI, I've seen that poem before, a fine and poignant post...
Best wishes all
Jobza
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Met John a couple of times at Odiham, truly a nice bloke. Worked with Sarah-Jane's husband Scouse in Gib many years ago. My family and my thoughts are with you and the other families at this very difficult time.
Fantaman, think your idea is excellent fully back you up
Fantaman, think your idea is excellent fully back you up
Deepest Respects
I think the book of condolences idea from fantaman is a lovely suggestion,
Words are not enough at times like these but I hope our messages can offer some comfort to those who have lost their loved ones.
Deepest heartfelt condolences - it is an absolute tragedy - they were
such honourable & wonderful people.
Deepest respects to one & all
Words are not enough at times like these but I hope our messages can offer some comfort to those who have lost their loved ones.
Deepest heartfelt condolences - it is an absolute tragedy - they were
such honourable & wonderful people.
Deepest respects to one & all
Just a numbered other
Shared a lot of laughs and a lot of ale with you, Daz. Hard to believe I won't be doing it again.
You were a bl00dy star, mate, and a much loved and respected one. RIP. My thoughts are with Liz.
And with the loved ones of the rest of your crew.
With sorrow,
Mr and Mrs Arky
You were a bl00dy star, mate, and a much loved and respected one. RIP. My thoughts are with Liz.
And with the loved ones of the rest of your crew.
With sorrow,
Mr and Mrs Arky