Thanks all again.

Bens wife has been in touch with us and on her recommendation we bought the book by Richard Hutchings. The book is dedicated to Ben and Doc Love. We found it a great read and very interesting. My wife would like to thank you all too for your posts on Ben, and she now has a clearer image of what actually happened.

27 Years
 

I've just been reminded by Mrs U that Ben was lost 27 years ago today.
RIP Ben.

Ben Casey
 

I was an aircrewman with Ben on Hermes in 1982. He and I were on deck at alert 5 for a RAS. The RAS ended and it was decided to go into a vertrep. I got out of the aircraft and Ben went off to start the vertrep. Soon afterwards it was decided that 2 aircraft were required and I got in the second one and went off to join in. The weather deteriorated and it was soon pitch black and a howling gale. Ben's aircraft decided to return for a second pilot but didn't make it back. They ditched in the sea for whatever reason. I remember Ben as a really nice fella. He always had a smile and joke for everyone. He was forever singing Monty Python's "Always look on the bright side of life!" I know we had only just seen it on a film, but with Ben you got the feeling that he was actually like that - always looking on the bright side of life, no matter what. RIP Ben.

PI