Another good guy gone. RIP

Gutted. A true gentleman. RIP.

He was my friend, and I can't believe we will never see him again and hear about his latest adventures.

Quite simply he was the best a human can be and a wonderful example to everyone to live each and every day fully.

There are no words ...

Mrs Biggus

Ant Downing
 

Sqn Ldr A Downing

Ant was the most fundamentally decent and likeable human being you could possibly ever meet, and whose absolute enthusiasm for life was infectious. A truly unforgettable gentleman. I still smile at how hoarse his voice was after leading us through the Nijmegen Marches years ago...

Rest in peace, mate.

From the DT.

Two officers killed on covert Afghanistan mission named - Telegraph

I still couldn't find anything on the MOD site.

Duncs:ok:

It is up there now.
Same content on RAF site

RIP.

Desperately sad loss. RIP.

RIP,
Thoughts are with there family's at this hard time .

RIP Ant although only an acquaintance really, top bloke. I don't know anyone who had met you who didn't think the same.

PS. Condolences to his family and girlfriend, and appologies on behalf of some of my face book 'friends' who felt it appropriate to name Ant publicly days ago!

RIP Ant.

An amazing chap who lived life to the full and achieved things the rest of us only dream of.

Sad loss as they all are, RIP.
It was announced by his parents on his face book page days ago, no apology required!

Just cannot believe this is true,he was a legend. The RAF has lost its best, if only other senior officers had the courage and conviction to get out in the field rather than sit behind a desk then we might be in a better position.

Dont let his loss be in vain , stand up and fight but I fear nobody else has courage like what he had.

RIP Boss

Two of the best, never to be forgotten.

RIP

Very sad. Condolences to the family.
He was well respected at Lyneham and I am sure everywhere else he served.

RIP Ant. Another good bloke gone, a very very sad loss indeed.

Ant was one of the most amazing people I've ever met and had an unrivalled enthusiasm for everything in life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this terrible time.

N Joe

RIP Ant. I served with him at Kinloss when he was a new JO. He would just pack a bag and go off in his shift downtime to places like Venezuela. A real adventurer and clearly into much much more than I realized. A sad loss.

I'll be taking a minibus from Brize to the funeral if anyone wants a lift. Please PM me.

Endurance Event In Ant's memory
 

PPruners,

Jo Kilkenny is running the 147 mile Viking Way (in one go) in memory of Ant and is raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

She writes:

"The Viking Way Ultra is a 147mile race that is starting on 7th April and runs from Humber Bridge to Oakham. It is a non stop race and has a cut off of 40 hours.
34 runners, including myself, have been selected to participate in this tough event organised by Mark Cockbain, an accomplished Ultrarunner himself.

I am doing this race in memory of Squadron Leader Anthony Downing who was the RAF serviceman who died of injuries sustained in Afghanistan over christmas. Ant was a a good friend and a talented endurance athlete. I met him when I crewed at the Enduroman Double Ironman in 2009 and was lucky enough to have him in my life. Anyone who knew him would describe him as a gent. He was a kind, generous and modest guy who lived life to the full and whose only weakness was the copious amounts of tea he drank, his only addiction.....he normally couldn't open his eyes in the morning til he had his first cuppa which always made me laugh!"

You can sponsor her at virgin money giving.

Check out the authenticity of the event on the RAF Benevolent Fund website.

Please give generously.

Well done Jo.:D

WPH

A very fitting tribute. I hope more have the means to sponsor her in this challenging event. Good luck.