Nimrod plane crash in Afghanistan - Condolences thread (no tech or update info)
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My thoughts are with all relatives, friends and colleagues of all those onboard XV230 a year ago today. I will be raising a glass or two this afternoon to you all. Per ardua ad astra.
DS
DS
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Yes, I too had a bit of a sad session last night with a few mates where we just talked about the guys and all the good times we had spent together. So many funny and lovely stories to tell about them all. (afraid I am suffering just a little this morning)
To all the people at ISK involved in this, but especially the children, wives and families of the guys lost, your loved ones are still very much in our hearts and minds. There is rearely a day goes by when I dont find myself simply staring into space and thinking about them all. There is usually a tear aswell.
You are an inspiration to many, and I am humbled to know most of you.
God Bless guys and RIP.
TSM
To all the people at ISK involved in this, but especially the children, wives and families of the guys lost, your loved ones are still very much in our hearts and minds. There is rearely a day goes by when I dont find myself simply staring into space and thinking about them all. There is usually a tear aswell.
You are an inspiration to many, and I am humbled to know most of you.
God Bless guys and RIP.
TSM
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To my darling husband and best dad in the world we miss you so much, and to all the wonderful guys of crew 3, XV 230, there is not a day that goes by that we do not remember.
We will remember always and forever. RIP XXX
We will remember always and forever. RIP XXX
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Ben
“I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine” He said.
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charm to gladden you, but should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories, a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over, in search of teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I’ve decided upon you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?”
I fancy that I heard them say; “Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy this child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known, for ever grateful stay.
And should the Angels call for him, much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief we’ll feel,
And try to understand.”
Love you Ben
Show those Angels what flying is all about. RIP Crew 3 XV230
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charm to gladden you, but should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories, a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over, in search of teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I’ve decided upon you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?”
I fancy that I heard them say; “Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy this child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known, for ever grateful stay.
And should the Angels call for him, much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief we’ll feel,
And try to understand.”
Love you Ben
Show those Angels what flying is all about. RIP Crew 3 XV230

To my good pal - Gez,
I only knew you for a year, you hated working at Waddo and were desparate to get back to Kinloss and flying the 'Mighty Rod' You touched so many lives and helped me in my hour of need (when others wouldn't)and helped me move home, driving my wagon (how you turned that wagon on a sixpence I'll never know!) It was good fun being on shift with you and takin the mick out of Gunner tho! My old man often said to me, never have any regrets son - however, that animated discussion you had with my (Scottish) father-in-law on malts and which Whiskey was the best, you had both tried most of them between you! I just wished you had let me buy a bottle of your favourite tipple as a token of mine and my families thanks.
God bless mate, you and your crew(mates) are sorely missed, because of you and the courage you showed, I am able to sit in my front room and raise a glass to you all.
RIP fella
Lest we forget
I only knew you for a year, you hated working at Waddo and were desparate to get back to Kinloss and flying the 'Mighty Rod' You touched so many lives and helped me in my hour of need (when others wouldn't)and helped me move home, driving my wagon (how you turned that wagon on a sixpence I'll never know!) It was good fun being on shift with you and takin the mick out of Gunner tho! My old man often said to me, never have any regrets son - however, that animated discussion you had with my (Scottish) father-in-law on malts and which Whiskey was the best, you had both tried most of them between you! I just wished you had let me buy a bottle of your favourite tipple as a token of mine and my families thanks.
God bless mate, you and your crew(mates) are sorely missed, because of you and the courage you showed, I am able to sit in my front room and raise a glass to you all.
RIP fella
Lest we forget
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Remembered Always
I placed a poppy cross in the Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens for the crews of XV230 and the Toronto and Kinloss crashes.
Rest easy friends and look down kindly on those you left behind. You will always be remembered.
I have a photo but can't work out how to post it. If anyone would like a copy PM me with an E Mail address)
Old Dog (ex 42,51,203,206,120 and 236 OCU)
Rest easy friends and look down kindly on those you left behind. You will always be remembered.
I have a photo but can't work out how to post it. If anyone would like a copy PM me with an E Mail address)
Old Dog (ex 42,51,203,206,120 and 236 OCU)
A really irritating PPRuNer
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My thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible loss of XV230, especially today.
With respect,
Brian
With respect,
Brian
Heroes, one and all
Gary Andrews,
We always said he was the Cliff Richards of Maritime, he looked about 16 years old all of his life.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
We always said he was the Cliff Richards of Maritime, he looked about 16 years old all of his life.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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We will remember them
To the friends and families of all who perished aboard 230:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
My sincere apologies for not being able to attend todays memorial service at the NMA but be assured you and your loved ones are often in our thoughts.
We'll raise a glass tonight boys.
JR
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
My sincere apologies for not being able to attend todays memorial service at the NMA but be assured you and your loved ones are often in our thoughts.
We'll raise a glass tonight boys.
JR
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A Nimrod, I believe, flew low south of Coventry earlier this evening. I only managed a brief glimpse but it was a stunning sight. Made all the more poignant by the date.
With respect to all concerned.
With respect to all concerned.

Today at the National Memorial Arboretum
I had the honour today of attending the Second Anniversary Memorial Service for Crew 3 of No 120 Squadron Royal Air Force, at the National Memorial Arboretum.
I’m not a Nimrod person, so I don’t know some of the people who were there today. But I did meet some friendly faces that I had seen at that fateful inquest in Oxford. It was a great pleasure to see them again.
For anyone who hasn’t been to the National Memorial (I hadn’t), I strongly recommend it. It is.... just a lovely place.
We gathered by the part of the wall where the names of the fourteen who were lost two years ago are inscribed. The resident chaplain at RAF Kinloss, The Reverend Father Squadron Leader Bob Halshaw presided over a lovely remembrance, and - a nice touch - he invited anyone who had brought a token of remembrance to place it at the foot of the wall before we started, so that it could be seen whilst we remembered those who had been lost.
A trumpeter from the Royal Air Force Regiment Band played a stunningly lovely Last Post and Reveille. She (yes it was a she) clearly realised, as she started to play, that the acoustic at that wall, in the open air, was unusually vivid. She played accordingly, and the sound was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Her name was Ruth, and I’m sorry to say I didn’t find out her surname. But she is clearly a musician of entirely appropriate standing for such an occasion. I don’t believe there were many dry eyes when Ruth’s last notes faded away into the wispy cloudscape over Alrewas.
Afterwards we moved to the Royal Air Force Wing, where there is now a Nimrod bench. It has a lovely informal plaque, which just says (I think) “in memory of lost Nimrod mates”. Despite much research, Father Bob hadn’t been able to find a form of blessing for a bench, but he did a pretty good job anyway. Then everyone gave the bench a try, and lots of pictures were taken.
It had all been organised by Mick Bell and his family. (If I’ve missed out other people who were also involved, I apologise. No offence intended.) Mick is the brother of Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell of Crew 3. Mick's distinguished knowledge and evidence contributed much to the deeply important inquest verdict of Coroner Andrew Walker.
It was a lovely day, and there was a cross section of ages there, from grandparents to young children. I hope very much that they were comforted in their sadness by the informal majesty of the place and the gentle beauty of the occasion.
airsound
I’m not a Nimrod person, so I don’t know some of the people who were there today. But I did meet some friendly faces that I had seen at that fateful inquest in Oxford. It was a great pleasure to see them again.
For anyone who hasn’t been to the National Memorial (I hadn’t), I strongly recommend it. It is.... just a lovely place.
We gathered by the part of the wall where the names of the fourteen who were lost two years ago are inscribed. The resident chaplain at RAF Kinloss, The Reverend Father Squadron Leader Bob Halshaw presided over a lovely remembrance, and - a nice touch - he invited anyone who had brought a token of remembrance to place it at the foot of the wall before we started, so that it could be seen whilst we remembered those who had been lost.
A trumpeter from the Royal Air Force Regiment Band played a stunningly lovely Last Post and Reveille. She (yes it was a she) clearly realised, as she started to play, that the acoustic at that wall, in the open air, was unusually vivid. She played accordingly, and the sound was heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Her name was Ruth, and I’m sorry to say I didn’t find out her surname. But she is clearly a musician of entirely appropriate standing for such an occasion. I don’t believe there were many dry eyes when Ruth’s last notes faded away into the wispy cloudscape over Alrewas.
Afterwards we moved to the Royal Air Force Wing, where there is now a Nimrod bench. It has a lovely informal plaque, which just says (I think) “in memory of lost Nimrod mates”. Despite much research, Father Bob hadn’t been able to find a form of blessing for a bench, but he did a pretty good job anyway. Then everyone gave the bench a try, and lots of pictures were taken.
It had all been organised by Mick Bell and his family. (If I’ve missed out other people who were also involved, I apologise. No offence intended.) Mick is the brother of Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell of Crew 3. Mick's distinguished knowledge and evidence contributed much to the deeply important inquest verdict of Coroner Andrew Walker.
It was a lovely day, and there was a cross section of ages there, from grandparents to young children. I hope very much that they were comforted in their sadness by the informal majesty of the place and the gentle beauty of the occasion.
airsound
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Share same thoughts with all today ,being out here and having two CXX crews do there job today as normal and go off into the unknown , proffesionals just like Crew 3 and great lads/lasses to work with.
We all had a few beers in DD tonight and like everything the matter was not brought up but in back of everyones mind they still there.
Respect and a sad time , thoughts with all the families today
We all had a few beers in DD tonight and like everything the matter was not brought up but in back of everyones mind they still there.
Respect and a sad time , thoughts with all the families today
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BZ
DFM,
Thought I saw 'Sailor' playing Soldiers again - and you should know better at your age! Excellent effort for an extremely worthy cause
- could you post a link in order for us to donate please?
Cheers mate -
JP
Thought I saw 'Sailor' playing Soldiers again - and you should know better at your age! Excellent effort for an extremely worthy cause

Cheers mate -
JP