Flt Lt David ‘Milo Wildpig’ Wildridge

[ditchvisitor]

It is with much sadness that I wanted to pass on to PPrune the passing of David ‘Milo Wildpig’ Wildridge, who passed away last Monday. A former F4, GR1 and Hawk Pilot, and in recent years a member of the Tiger 9, David lived life to the full and was an avid member of the RAF Polo Team.

David Wildridge 04-04-1951 to 16-07-2018

There will be a Service of Remembrance at Rousham - SS Leonard and James parish church in Oxfordshire (OX25 4QX) at 12 Noon on Friday the 3rd of August, followed by an ‘after-party' (more fitting for David who was the ultimate host!) at home a few miles away (OX25 4NB).

[BEagle]

Very sad to hear of Dave's passing - he was truly one of the real characters of his time.

I christened him 'Milo Wildpig' when we first met on 14 GE at RAFC and the name seems to have stayed with him. I hadn't seen him for years, but I flew into Kidlington some years back and there he was. So we did the 'Lad handshake' ceremony in front of his bemused students!

Tales of Milo must be legendary - Semper in Excreto Solum Profundum Variat!

Will try to be there on the 3rd.

[ACW599]

Dave ("Pardon the growth") Wildridge was one of the stellar characters on UWAS in the early 1970s. His ability to scrounge cigarettes from all and sundry was legendary, as were his...erm...exploits with the fairer sex. Parties organised by Wildpig on summer camp (Newton in 1973 and Wyton in 1974) could fairly be described as unforgettable. I hope he's up there with Wyn Evans giving the angels a hard time.

Blue skies and fair winds.

[rolling20]

Only met him a couple of times at UWAS reunions, but the stories were legendary. RIP sir.

[57mm]

Was at Valley with Wildpig and his beloved Red Setter Tasha. Two of the best characters I have known. Hopefully they are both now together again......

[Wander00]

Remember him from when he was playing polo and I was Treasurer of RAF Equitation - some character. RIP

[Haraka]

So hard to believe he has gone .His deadpan funereal director sense of humour, including the 14 G.E. hearse ceremony with "chopped" pilot mates and also putting the accent on the unexpected vowel of an adjective (e.g. the F* word ) marked him out . A man above the system .

[tu chan go]

My wife to be and I stayed in the granny flat of his farmhouse when I was a student at Valley. One night, we knew he was "entertaining" so when we heard an almighty crash from his part of the farmhouse we wondered what he was up to. Sticking our heads around the door, we found him and his conquest up to their knees in detritus in the kitchen - all the cupboards had fallen off the wall and dumped their contents onto the floor. We asked if he needed any help and he looked at us with that lugubrious expression and said "Nope, we're fine!"

A true character and will be sadly missed.

[Bigpants]

I was one of his many students at RAF Valley c 1981 and saw him a few times after that. Bizarrely we then flew together 23 years later in BA when I was a new ish Captain on the Airbus and he was an older fresh arrival. He led a very full if somewhat complicated life....

[BEagle]

A fitting send off for Pig today - the little church at Rousham was packed with over 150 people who'd known Milo at one time or another. Some good eulogies and readings, then back to Chez Pig for refreshments. Later on, 6 of his Tiger Nine colleagues flew past in their Tigers, one of which pulled up into a 'missing man' tribute.

He would have loved it - a fitting send off for such an unique character!

RIP Milo!

[Haraka]

Ditto BEags.
Thanks for the posting.
An AVM from the alternate Air Force has accepted his final promotion .
Glasses raised!