RAF Tutor / Glider Collision - Condolences Thread
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I too was lucky enough to serve with Mike out in Virginia. Happy days out with Mike on the golf course with TBGS (Wings1 you are right, he was a crap golfer but that didn't stop us having a laugh!). I shall always remember Mikes infectious grin and charming ways....as has already been said an absolute gent. I have a great photo of him round our gaff posing with his Retirement Party cake.....just how I shall remember him.
Beverley, we are desperately sorry to hear of your loss.
Beverley, we are desperately sorry to hear of your loss.
Last edited by Jumping_Jack; 19th Jun 2009 at 02:05.
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So Sad
Rats! Another fine professional buys the farm. First met Mike in '86 on ULAS. What a great guy. He later appointed me to my best job in the RAF. At all subsequent meetings I was always struck by how honest and straightforward he was, how he bore his privations with such strength and dignity. What a b*gg*r. Why do the good guys always go first?
Sympathy, obviously, to his cadet's family too.
Sympathy, obviously, to his cadet's family too.
Per Ardua
Jane and I knew the Blee family at Wyton (I ran Handbrake House). In my time I have also been an RAF pilot, and ACLO, a VR(T) Officer and a CCF cadet. We were both so sad to hear of the death of Mike and his pupil. Mike was at his best passing on his enthusiasm and love for flying in all its aspects. He and Beverlie were also great company (don't mention the fondue night!). Our sincerest condolences to both families - we raised a glass or two with friends on Tuesday. So sadly accidents do happen, but hopefully no one will suggest stopping AEF air experience flying.
Ian Gawn
Ian Gawn
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Mike's Funeral
Mike's funeral will be held on Monday 6th July, actual time to still be confirmed but it will be in the afternoon at RAF Benson.
Anyone who knew Mike and wishes to attend is more than welcome to do so.
Anyone wishing to make any donations please do so to either Hedley Court or RAF Benevolent Fund.
For any further information please do not hesitate in contacting me
PA
Anyone who knew Mike and wishes to attend is more than welcome to do so.
Anyone wishing to make any donations please do so to either Hedley Court or RAF Benevolent Fund.
For any further information please do not hesitate in contacting me
PA
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Mike Blee's Funeral Details.
Mike’s confirmed Funeral details are as follows:-
Monday 6th July 2009 at RAF Benson. Anyone attending could they please be there for 1200hrs where transport to the church has been organised. THERE IS NO PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH ITSELF. Full Military Service, uniforms, medals etc....
Anyone one wishing to go could you please contact the station adj. on 01491 827 099 so they can have a rough idea of numbers attending.
Donations will be for Headley Court and/or RAF Benevolent Fund.
Those wishing to donate to Headley Court by cheque please make them payable to "SFAS DMRC Headley Court", please write on back of the cheques "Patients Welfare Fund". For those attending there will be a collection box in the Mess.
Any further enquiries do not hesitate in PM me.
PA
Monday 6th July 2009 at RAF Benson. Anyone attending could they please be there for 1200hrs where transport to the church has been organised. THERE IS NO PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH ITSELF. Full Military Service, uniforms, medals etc....
Anyone one wishing to go could you please contact the station adj. on 01491 827 099 so they can have a rough idea of numbers attending.
Donations will be for Headley Court and/or RAF Benevolent Fund.
Those wishing to donate to Headley Court by cheque please make them payable to "SFAS DMRC Headley Court", please write on back of the cheques "Patients Welfare Fund". For those attending there will be a collection box in the Mess.
Any further enquiries do not hesitate in PM me.
PA
Last edited by Plodin Along; 25th Jun 2009 at 18:36.
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Reply to Wander00 comment #44 19th June 12:27
I reply to Wander00's comment "..hopefully no one will suggest stopping AEF air experience flying".
I would like to add the following quotation from the school's magazine, printed back in 1991. As Nick's mother, this seems to me to embody what the CCF and the opportunity for air experience flights are all about.
"... However, I am certain that the boys who have remained in the corps for a number of years are better persons than they would have been if they had never joined. In 1987, Brigadier Hume made a report on the CCF movement to the MOD. He said 'The CCF provides a means to help youngsters to know themselves: it teaches leadership, team spirit and the qualities of good citizenship. It provides adventure and challenge where often a pupil who may not be the greatest success in the classroom or on the playing field achieves success in the Corps in one aspect or another' ".
Despite losing our beautiful son in this terrible way, I know that encouraging him to join the CCF, and later its RAF arm, gave Nick a stream of wonderful experiences which, even with the awful knowledge we now have, we would never have denied him.
In conclusion, neither Nick's father nor I would support any call to cancel or restrict AEF air experience flights for cadets.
Julia Rice
I would like to add the following quotation from the school's magazine, printed back in 1991. As Nick's mother, this seems to me to embody what the CCF and the opportunity for air experience flights are all about.
"... However, I am certain that the boys who have remained in the corps for a number of years are better persons than they would have been if they had never joined. In 1987, Brigadier Hume made a report on the CCF movement to the MOD. He said 'The CCF provides a means to help youngsters to know themselves: it teaches leadership, team spirit and the qualities of good citizenship. It provides adventure and challenge where often a pupil who may not be the greatest success in the classroom or on the playing field achieves success in the Corps in one aspect or another' ".
Despite losing our beautiful son in this terrible way, I know that encouraging him to join the CCF, and later its RAF arm, gave Nick a stream of wonderful experiences which, even with the awful knowledge we now have, we would never have denied him.
In conclusion, neither Nick's father nor I would support any call to cancel or restrict AEF air experience flights for cadets.
Julia Rice
To Julia Rice
You and your family have our sincerest condolences. We have sons of 36, 35 and 20. For medical reasons the latter might not have been here and we have always treated him as here on trust,- but we have always taken our responsibility "to provide roots to grow and wings to fly". He ended up as the hockey goalie, rugby winger and ocean sailor! We cannot begin to understand how you and your family feel having lost your son. However, you have our overwhelming admiration for your philosophy regarding Nick's sadly shortened life, and for what you have written - we are in France but with friends visting on Monday we will drink to Nick and Mike Blee's lives and achievements and send our love to you all - Jane and Ian
Wander00
Wander00
Last edited by Wander00; 30th Jun 2009 at 18:18.
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I retired from the Royal Air Force after 37 years of happy service, including flying Chipmunk AEF aircraft at various locations.
I joined the RAF after some 7 years of Air Training Corps time in various locations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In my time I ended up cold, wet, tired and hungry but wouldn't have missed it for the world. You haven't lived until you have been half way up a mountain, in the pouring rain, no fire, opening tins of stewing steak, peas and beans and eating them cold! Feast for a king!
The ATC/CCF is a wonderful way for yoof to experience life different from home and school - they get a chance to experience so many things, including camping, various visits, flying, both gliding and powered, DofE, not to mention learning discipline and interaction with others.
A great start to life...
I joined the RAF after some 7 years of Air Training Corps time in various locations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In my time I ended up cold, wet, tired and hungry but wouldn't have missed it for the world. You haven't lived until you have been half way up a mountain, in the pouring rain, no fire, opening tins of stewing steak, peas and beans and eating them cold! Feast for a king!
The ATC/CCF is a wonderful way for yoof to experience life different from home and school - they get a chance to experience so many things, including camping, various visits, flying, both gliding and powered, DofE, not to mention learning discipline and interaction with others.
A great start to life...
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Only found out about Mike's sad demise recently, what a shock, I was with him on 120 in the early '80s and Bev and Mrs Dwarf were good friends, sadly, we lost touch in later years.
So many good people gone in recent years, while the oxygen thieves seem to prosper endlessly.
Our fondest thoughts to Bev and family.
Also, though we never knew him, to the family of Nick Rice.
TPD
So many good people gone in recent years, while the oxygen thieves seem to prosper endlessly.
Our fondest thoughts to Bev and family.
Also, though we never knew him, to the family of Nick Rice.
TPD
