Geriaviator,

Also from me, many thanks for the book as well, I'm on chapter 4 and loving it, an excellent read … donation has also been sent to the RAFBF

Goodbye Danny,
So nice to have known of your times on the forum.
Rest in Peace

A glass of wine is raised yet again to dear Dennis ... and Mary.

Today may be the funeral of the earthly Dennis O'Leary, but Danny42C will live on for many years to come. Farewell again, old chum.

Yes, DCO Danny - RIP

Were I ever to be a tenth of the man he was, I would be proud. RIP.

Don't think Danny had an excess of pride. He was always a modest man, it seems. "Pride comes before a fall". If I had a tenth of his humour and humanity, I would be pleased. At any age, in any age, we can look to role models. Not obsessively - just in passing. And extract a mickle here, and a muckle there. He had a profoundly contemplative streak. Truly mindful people usually do.

Farewell Danny...........
 

Yet another of our generation gone, and one of the best. Sadly our service paths never crossed, but then the RAF was (just a bit) larger in those days!

harrym

harrym - you got here in the end for Danny......
So good to hear that you are still listening out on this frequency. It is a nagging worry whenever our vets. go quiet for a period of time. Please keep checking in - strength five, harry.

Ian BB

97 years old, that's so great! I appreciated Danny's posts, it is nice that the people with so much piloting history, and so far back in Danny's case, contribute to the present piloting wisdom. You'll be missed Danny!

Bit dusty in here...

Followed the Brevet thread from the start but I'm not up-to-date on it. The bit I'm up to, Danny is still posting. Going to seem horrible reading his words knowing now what is.

What a guy.

Never posted, but lurked for many years, hanging onto the words of Cliff, Reg, Danny et al.

Farewell Danny, you were an absolute star.

And thanks, Geriaviator, for your fantastic work.

NRT

Well said NRT, same here.

Bucc

It was his time. He knew that clearly and went out like a candle. A good friend once quoted his old dad who said, late in life, "Here today. Here tomorrow. Bejessus it drags on."

My dad used to glance at the obits in the newspaper. One morning he said - "Will you look at this ? - They're still dying in alphabetical order."

We need to remember something about the nature of grieving. For a start, it is does not bear too much analysis. And because it is so personal no one should presume to know what another is going through, regardless of whether the griever and the deceased are family or next of kin, or merely acquaintances. If someone does not want to articulate his or her loss, but prefers to internalise it in his or her own way, that is tantamount to a cry for "leaving it alone".

And deepest condolences to the family and huge thank you Geriaviator

A very sad Reefrat

Sad, indeed. I just loved his honest forthright writing style, his willingness to share every memory he had, his willingness to serve as a bridge between generations. I loved his big stories about his time in combat, and his smaller stories about day to day life afterwords. For instance, I found his stories about motoring in the 40s and 50s to be fascinating! I feel blessed to have learned so much from such a great man. RIP, Danny, the world is smaller place without you!

Farewell and thank you Danny42C from me too.
Just read this moving thread.
Although I have posted little on Pprune I have read a great deal, and am grateful to all those who contribute for us to read, but especially to Danny42C and his generation.
I was first directed towards the RAF Brevet thread in 2015 when researching the WW2 history of my late father (Sept '21 to Dec '99) , and was immediately hooked.
Dad served from April '41 to June '46 in 82 Squadron, posted to India from March '42 with Vengeances and Mosquitos, shared bases with Danny42C's 110 Squadron at Karachi, Madhaiganj, Kumbhirgram and Joari at various times. This made Dennis's story resonate with me greatly and his passing all the more moving.
Andy

A timely, if sad, coincidence. The Vengeance fraternity was a small band of warriors.

Stand down soldier,
Your mission is done,
The danger over
There's no need to run,
You were trained well,
To obey each demand,
So take this and heed,
This final command,
Rest your body,
close your eyes,
As we weep the loss,
When a good soldier dies,
Bask in peace,
that you can enjoy,
Embrace it for us,
Let it too be our joy,
The life you have lived,
will constantly remind,
And bring on a smile,
to those you leave behind,
We thank you for your serving,
Your loyalty stood true,
And hope someday,
we will meet up with you.

Toby Dewick 2013

RIP Danny. ...... Thank you.

Another snippet of verse that Dennis said echoed with him -

Measure not with words the immeasurable .. .
Sink not the string of thought into the fathomless . . .
Who asks does err . ..
Who answers errs . . .
Say nought!

(Anon.)

I'll bring this on to Page one just so those that missed it can have a look see..