Wg Cdr Dave Belfield
 

Wg Cdr Dave Belfield, a Fighter Controller stationed at Waddington, was killed yesterday in an RTA near his home.

Dave started off in the RAF as a potential Pilot but things did not work out. As was the norm in the early 80's, he was drop kicked into the FC Branch and proceeded to leave his mark wherever he went. A true character, he was one of the funniest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of serving with. The minute he walked in the room he would light the place up with his natural wit and antics. The heirachy loathed him, the troops, and his peers, loved him.
He had a heart of gold. On a det to Mt Olympus in Cyprus, he was there when the CO's son was killed in a car crash. Some 12 years later, at this mans Golden Wedding celebration, he said that he and his family would not have got through those dark days without the presence, strength, humour and compassion of Dave.
Dave was lucky enough to serve all over the world and he even managed to wangle an exchange with the US Marine Corps. He was over the moon, right up to the point when he was ambushed in Somalia and had to run for his life!

A good man, a great character and I, for one, will miss him dearly. God Bless. :ok:


Clive Gibson
RAF Boulmer

aka Wyler.

I believe the old Ops Room at Neatishead (now the Museum) will forever echo the sounds of his catch phrase "Stand By!".

A sad and shocking loss. Thoughts with family. RIP.

DT
Scampton

Tragic news indeed; Dave was certainly one of the RAF's characters.

I knew Dave as a Flt Lt in my early years as an ASOp at Buchan before escaping onto IOT & beyond. Although it was many years ago, his name is etched in my memory as one of the very few good guys I worked for & I won't forget how much he stood up for the junior airmen in the face of some very pompus Sqn execs on more than one occasion.

Very tragic news, my thoughts are with his family & relatives during these dark hours.

RIP Sir.

Per Ardua.

I was told by my boss this afternoon - truly appalling news.

I have little to add to Wyler's fitting eulogy. He treated people as humans first and saw the uniform second - I never knew him to walk past my desk or pass in the corridor without him at least acknowledging my presence and normally asking how things were.

I for one will sadly miss him.

RIP Dave

Spotter
Waddington

Knew Dave in his pilot training days and also in his role in Somalia. We have lost a real character. A real Jack the Lad. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Dave and I were out in Vegas recently. He spoke about how much he was looking forward to the future.

Tragically one of the good ones taken too early. RIP Dave

Worked with Dave on several occasions, and particularly enjoyed his company while in the sandpit during Telic. He was a great character who always had the interests of the Service uppermost in his mind. My sincere condolences to his family.
RIP Dave.

Spot on Clive

RIP Dave

I knew Dave for quite a few years, he was one of those characters you always remember. I could never be sad or down when Dave was around - his energy,humour and zest of life knew no bounds. I for one will miss you old friend and I will raise a glass to you tonight.

RIP

I was working closely with Dave in planning an upcoming ex. he struck me as an individual with a clear passion for life, something that proved infectious both in and out of the workplace.

Dave, I was looking forward to sharing a beer or two with you on the ex; I'll raise a glass when we're there.


RIP, my thoughts are with his partner and family.

SBG

A great shock to loose such a character in such circumstances.
Deepest sympathies to his family.
RIP Dave.
MM:sad:

A real character - I too first met him in a darkened Ops Room and he followed me to the Falklands soon after - Mt Kent. Bumped into him a short while ago just after he was promoted and he was still the life and soul of any group whether work or play.

Tremendous shock - only saw him and his daughters last week.

First met in a wooden shack on a hillside in Northumberland (SOC Boulmer) - helped me to get to Cranwell and I have been grateful ever since. Great shame that he has been lost to us in this way and an even greater shame for his family. Our thoughts are with them now.

Funeral
 

Dave's funeral will be held at 12.00pm on 4 Jul, at Mary Magdalene Church, Newark.
Signal with more details will be out today.

See you all there.

Clive Gibson

I'm going to miss Dave. I have worked on and off with him since he returned from his US exchange, and I consider him a friend. He never judged, and always had a kind and encouraging word for you, something which I, especially recently, was extremely grateful for. Wherever he has gone, I'm sure the trumpets played when he arrived.

RIP mate.

Thanks for the info Clive.

Hope to see you there.

GS

Tragic - We have lost a real character....

RIP Dave....

Thoughts with family....

It was Dave's funeral today in Newark. A service at St Mary's follwed by the burial at Newark Cemetery.

The RAF did him proud with a sterling job by all concerned. A great turnout and a very emotional time, especially at the actual burial. My hat off to Dave's sister who gave a tremendous eulogy and to Christopher, Dave's son, for his moving words.

RIP Dave, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Wyler.

Sorry to hear about the death of Dave. I spent a couple of months occupying the other end of an ISO container with him in 1985 on Mt Kent. Great times, and an absolute live wire. Sad that such a good bloke should be lost to his family and the service in this way.
Wyler, please pass on my regrets to his family.