Sir Peter Squire
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Sir Peter Squire
Just discovered that Sir Peter died suddenly at home on 19 February.
He was a real gentleman and I have many fond memories of him.
A family funeral will be held in Gidleigh, to be followed by a memorial service in London at a later date.
He was a real gentleman and I have many fond memories of him.
A family funeral will be held in Gidleigh, to be followed by a memorial service in London at a later date.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Because the original MoD link to Sir Peter's Falkland War diaries has been moved, I have posted the current link.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/TheHarrierGoestoWar.cfm
https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/TheHarrierGoestoWar.cfm
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Sad, only 72. He was a real old school gentleman and a top officer, as he indeed proved in his later career. Famous for his 'interesting sideburns'! Was a flight commander on 3 when I was there, his beat up of the airfield when he left was something to behold. RIP Sir, I shall raise a glass to you tonight.
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I had the honour of walking him across an apron one day whilst John Day was left straggling behind with the two wives. 
I remember an engaging gentleman who put a young CGB at ease.
I remember an engaging gentleman who put a young CGB at ease.
I was privileged to serve with Peter at Gütersloh, as well as being his next-door neighbour. I later went to war in the same canoe as him in 1982 and watched as he was very poorly treated by the Captain. He was a gentle but inspirational leader, who we all thought was far too nice to get into the higher echelons of the Service - how wrong we were!
My thoughts and best wishes to the family. Rest well Sir!
Mog
My thoughts and best wishes to the family. Rest well Sir!
Mog
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Slipped off the Mexipad
Back in ‘82, I was tasked with my crew to undersling Peter’s Harrier from the weeds at the edge of the pad in San Carlos to Stanley. Simple enough except that the Harrier wanted to fly once we achieved 30kts. Luckily, we had a tail wind but it still took forever to reach Stanley.
So sorry to read such sad news.
So sorry to read such sad news.
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Oh dear, how very sad. I worked with him in the late 60s, and for him in the early 90s. As others have said, a real gentleman. RIP, Sir.
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This is the IWM recording where Sir Peter talks, very candidly, about his life and career including tips on how to dodge ADC jobs without causing offence!
(I was on the CFS course with him back in 1970).
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80025717
(I was on the CFS course with him back in 1970).
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80025717
A real gentleman, always with an encouraging word and a smile whatever the circumstances, and a leader you could trust. He had a wicked sense of humour too. It's a great shame he did not get to enjoy the long retirement he deserved.
If you haven't read (or re-read) his Harrier Falklands war diaries, it is well worth taking the time to do so.
If you haven't read (or re-read) his Harrier Falklands war diaries, it is well worth taking the time to do so.
Gentleman Aviator
A real surprise and shock - what a great bloke. Knew him in a number of places, from a Sqn Ldr at Gut in late 70s, through AOC, ACAS, C-in-C to being CAS.
72 is no age these days .......
RIP Sir.
72 is no age these days .......
RIP Sir.
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Many tales to tell.
One of my favourite occasions, three dits from the same visit: he was CAS when I was running Shawbury, and he had flown up for a Dinner.
On arrival, before changing, we were sitting having coffee when our most disrespectful cat - Bobby - took a liking to Sir Peter and leapt upon his lap and started nuzzling him. Not only most disrespectful, but most prone to moulting..... Cat eventually departs, CAS stands stands up, wooly pully now decorated with vast amounts of grey fur. Nice
Fast forward an hour or so, we're both in No 5s waiting for transport. One of junior daughter's chums (a striking 20-something redhead) was visiting - unexpectedly - and breezes in to the room. "Hi Dick" she says - Sir Peter leaps to his feet to introduce himself, shakes hand "Peter Squire" "Oh Hi Peter" says redhead, then completely ignores him and carries on talking to me. Probably not career-enhancing pour moi..........
And finally. The following morning he was due to fly out and it was Harry Clampers in fog. Never seen a delayed VSO so calm. Much panic organising car and driver to take him back to London, he calmly says "Time for another cuppa then" or words to that effect. Not like many other VSOs one could mention.....
Much missed - a superb aviator and a good fellow too.
RIP
One of my favourite occasions, three dits from the same visit: he was CAS when I was running Shawbury, and he had flown up for a Dinner.
On arrival, before changing, we were sitting having coffee when our most disrespectful cat - Bobby - took a liking to Sir Peter and leapt upon his lap and started nuzzling him. Not only most disrespectful, but most prone to moulting..... Cat eventually departs, CAS stands stands up, wooly pully now decorated with vast amounts of grey fur. Nice
Fast forward an hour or so, we're both in No 5s waiting for transport. One of junior daughter's chums (a striking 20-something redhead) was visiting - unexpectedly - and breezes in to the room. "Hi Dick" she says - Sir Peter leaps to his feet to introduce himself, shakes hand "Peter Squire" "Oh Hi Peter" says redhead, then completely ignores him and carries on talking to me. Probably not career-enhancing pour moi..........
And finally. The following morning he was due to fly out and it was Harry Clampers in fog. Never seen a delayed VSO so calm. Much panic organising car and driver to take him back to London, he calmly says "Time for another cuppa then" or words to that effect. Not like many other VSOs one could mention.....
Much missed - a superb aviator and a good fellow too.
RIP
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Sir Peter bought us flight line lads(V.T. Aerospace) a round at the Off Mess St Mawgan on summer camp,also fondly remembered at Colerne,good days.
A real gentleman - R.i.P
A real gentleman - R.i.P
(a bear of little brain)
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Met him once, for a very brief conversation, when as CAS he did the mass wings presentation at Valley (when the wings presentation changed from post-Hawk to post-Tucano).
Then I was surprised when I mentioned him doing the presentation to a mate at work who said he had played rugby with him on 20 squadron in Singapore. Sir Peter was apparently a very nice bloke (although they didn't mix socially other than rugby, mate being a Sergeant and Sir Peter a Flt. Lt. at the time).
Then I was surprised when I mentioned him doing the presentation to a mate at work who said he had played rugby with him on 20 squadron in Singapore. Sir Peter was apparently a very nice bloke (although they didn't mix socially other than rugby, mate being a Sergeant and Sir Peter a Flt. Lt. at the time).
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His Harrier is still part of RAF Cosford and is still marked up with his name.
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A student of mine on 234 Sqn; then we were fellow Flt Cdrs on 3 Sqn, RAF Valley.
How very sad. A gentleman in every way, a fine officer, a gifted operator, and a valued friend.
RIP Peter, long will you be remembered.
How very sad. A gentleman in every way, a fine officer, a gifted operator, and a valued friend.
RIP Peter, long will you be remembered.
Last edited by jindabyne; 27th Feb 2018 at 19:23.