The RAF & Defence Fire Service has a book of remembrance where the names of our fallen comrades are recorded. The poem below was produced by Steve Harrison and is a combination of his own work, some lines from Mick Goupillot and a prayer from Satish Kumar, who was a Jain monk.
Death notices from January 2021 onwards will be posted below. To view previous listings please click the links above.
13 January 2021
From: Pete Thompson
Ray Hunt
It is with a heavy heart I have to inform you all of the passing of Ray 'Jock' Hunt yesterday after a brief fight against cancer.
Ray served at Coningsby, Wildenrath, Belize and Chivenor, and I had the honour of receiving my first nickname from him at Coningsby in 1977. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Stand down mate, duties done.
RIP Ray
* * * * *
19 January 2021
From: Fred Jiggins
Jerry Field
Just found out from a friend that ex RAF Firefighter Jerry Field residing near Louth and ex Wittering and Belize, last worked at Humberside Airport, passed away last night of the 'C', sad news as another old flame has extinguished RIP.
RIP Jerry
* * * * *
20 January 2021
From: Barry-
Nick Nichol
I regret to have to announce that I have recently made aware of the passing of an old colleague. Nick Nichol passed away recently from COVID 19 having contracted the virus shortly before Christmas.
Many of you who attended training courses during the late 1980’s will remember Nick as the Chief instructor. Nick served at a number of locations including Wethersfield, HQ Support Command, Gibraltar, & Alconbury to name a few.
Nicks funeral will take place tomorrow 21 Jan and will be streamed live on the following webcast www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-
RIP Nick
* * * * *
24 January 2021
From: Pete Toulson
Member No 347 Owen Hughes
I regret to have to announce that another of our firefighter family has unfortunately passed away due to cancer. Ex Cpl Owen Hughes passed on New Years Eve, but I've only recently found out and I asked the family if they would like me to post to his ex colleagues. Owen served from 1959 to 1981 during which time he was stationed at Ballykelly, Binbrook, Brize Norton 3 times, Changi twice, Machrihanish, Aden, Masirah, and Sydenham during the Belfast strikes. Stand down Owen your shift is now done.
RIP Owen
* * * * *
11 February 2021
From: Guy Bowes
Simon Worsfold
Sadly on the 8th February 2021 Simon unexpectedly passed away whilst doing the job he loved so much, aged 61 years A dearly loved and devoted husband to Jess. A greatly loved dad to Paul, Mark, Karl, Tom, Jordan and Emma. A much loved granddad. A loving son to June and the late Barry. A loved brother to Julie, a loved uncle and a great friend to many. A service to celebrate Simon's life will be held at Grimsby Crematorium on Friday 5th March at 10.30am. Due to the current restrictions, attendance is by invite only, but if so desired, donations in Simon's memory can be sent directly to The Museum of RAF Firefighting, 14 Billet Lane, Normanby Enterprise Park, Scunthorpe, DN15 9YH. Floral tributes will be gratefully received by Sentiments Funeral Home 17 Chantry Lane, Grimsby. DN31 2LP Tel 01472 242783.
Simon served in the RAF Fire Service from 1976 to 1989 during which time his postings included RAF St Mawgan, Scampton, North Coates and Machrihanish and since his death the warm tributes posted on social media bear testament to what well liked and respected fireman he was.
Please click here to donate to the Museum of RAF Firefighting in Simons memory.
Simon’s funeral service will be streamed live from the Crematorium from 10:25 on Friday 5 March. Friends and family can view the proceeding via the following link:
Log in details are :
User Name -
Password -
RIP Simon.
* * * * *
26 March 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 133 Terrence “Jess” Jessup
I received a call yesterday from Jess's daughter, Kathie Grainger, informing me that Jess died from throat cancer, peacefully in his sleep on Sunday 21 March 2021.
Jess was one of our very early members. He joined the Association on the 24th April 1996 and was the London Area coordinator for at least the last 16 years. He attended many of our Reunions but not in the last few years due to his illness.
From 2011 Jess always rang me to request 6 Flashpoints, five of which he delivered to places like the Fire Service at Heathrow and London Fire Service Head Quarters.
Jess will be sadly missed by me and many other members of the Association.
From Kathie:
A devoted husband to Georgina, loving father to Debbie, Kathie & Jackie and amazing grandad to Sherry, Laura, Kirsty, Terry, Matthew Georgia & Isabella and to his great grandchildren Lili, Rosie, Heather, Kaila, Layla & Charlie, Terence ‘Jess’ Jessup, died on Sunday 21st March after battling throat cancer for 6 months.
His funeral will take place on Friday 30th April 2021 at Kemnal Park Cemetery and Memorial Gardens.
Due to current restrictions only those invited may attend the funeral.
Floral tributes will be gratefully received by: F A Albin & Sons, 54 – 56 Mottingham Road, London SE9 4QR
A socially distanced wake to be held at The Dacre Arms, Kingswood Place, London SE13 5BU
RIP Jess
* * * * *
26 April 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 792 Albert Gosnall
Very sad to have to announce that Albert died on 7th February, and his funeral was held on 17th. He died of cancer and other complications. Albert was an RAF Corporal Fireman stationed at Tangmere among other places and later a Leading Fireman in Cheshire Fire Service.
RIP Albert
* * * * *
28 May 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 478 David Frost
I have just received a call from Barbara Frost, David's wife, to say that David died on 12th May from prostate and bladder cancer. David was 88 years old and served in the fifties and sixties.
He joined the Association on 20th Jan 2000 and was married to Barbara for 15yrs.
RIP David
* * * * *
5 July 2021
From: Scott Duncan
Member No 734 Richard Duncan
This morning I said goodbye to my father Richard Duncan, or as a few of you will remember him Dickie Duncan. Dad had been fighting vascular dementia for over the past 16 months, during which time we saw his health slowly deteriorating along with loss of his mobility, Despite that he was a fighter to the end. I was lucky enough to follow him into the Fire Service, and those who knew him always had good things to say about their time working alongside my father. During his 22 years in the RAF Dickie served at Leuchars, Singapore, Malta, Hong Kong, Kinloss, Gütersloh and Belize amongst others and s a son I could not be more proud of him. Unfortunately I missed him passing away before I could get to him. He was a devoted Elvis follower ,and so it was very fitting that at the time he passed away, burning love by Elvis was being played on radio 2..
RIP Dickie
* * * * *
Message from David McKeown:
Hello all.
With the sad news of the passing of David Fitch, we are now in a position to invite you to his funeral.
This shall be held at:
Darlington Crematorium
Carmel Road North
Darlington
DL3 8RY
On the 22nd July 2021
@15:00 (local)
Could you please let Helen or myself know if you are attending.
If you can't make it and we understand this, please private message me if you wish to send the "Gaffer"one last message.
Drinks and nibbles shall follow and I will personally make sure Twofers 🍻🍾 is on for a couple of hours.
Thanks in advance and love to all
* * * * *
7 July 2021
From: David McKeown
Dave Fitch
On Sunday 4th July, I received the very sad news from Helen Fitch, that after a long illness David Fitch had passed away. Dave was an ex RAF Fire Service Flight Sergeant well liked and respected by those who served with him.
RIP Dave
21 July 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 786 Malcolm Sandford
Mrs Anita Shenton has passed on the sad news that Malcolm died on Saturday 17th July of heart failure after being unwell for two years and undergoing lots of surgery during that time.
RIP Malcolm
* * * * *
21 July 2021
From: Nobby Clarke
Member No 1063 Jim Bloom
It is my sad duty to announce the passing of Ex Sgt Jim Bloom, in St Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln on the
16 July 2021; he passed peacefully in his sleep. It was Jim’s wish that he did not want a burial service, and that instead the money for his funeral be passed onto the hospice where they looked after him in the closing stages of his life.
Jim joined the RAF in the early 1960s and trained as an Aero Fireman/Driver. He served on many stations both at home at home and abroad, including Kenya, Aden, Oman, Cyprus during the Turkish invasion, Gibraltar, Labuan during the confrontation, and Germany. There were numerous stations in the UK, one of which to be noted was RAF Neatishead where he was involved in the underground fire there in the mid 1960s Jim was one of the first firemen to enter the bunker where he escorted the civil firemen who had taken control of the incident. He then took over as BA controller, which in those days was done without the luxury of BA boards or name tags, you just had to use your initiative. Jim started his log by writing names and times in the dust on the fire truck, until he was given a note book by a retained civil fireman. Jim was very practical man who loved his job, and was one of the best crew chiefs I knew during my service. After his time in the in the RAF Fire Service he took up a franchise with Dyno Rod, where his practical knowledge and problem solving instincts he had gained as a fireman, formed the foundations for a very successful career.
Jim will be sadly missed by his wife Sylvia, his two sons, daughter, and five grand daughters. I have taken the liberty of passing on condolences “verbally” from all members of the association to the family, though I am sure many of you will want to send condolence cards, especially those who knew Jim as a colleague and friend.
Stand Down Jim Your Duty is Done R.I.P
Michael Clarke Mem No 2 (Nobby)
From Steve Harrison:
Jim was a real character, and a great storyteller who I was stationed with and attended the Fire Prevention course with and had many laughs at the re-
RIP Jim
* * * * *
RIP William Graeme Smith.
* * * * *
Graeme's funeral will be held at:
Borders Crematorium,
Melrose,
TD6 9HA
on Tuesday 10th August at 2pm.
For those who are unable to attendit will be broadcast via website www.obitus.com, log in details as follows:
Username -
Password -
Thank you to my daughter Tracy, son in law Craig and granddaughter Natalie for helping me with this.
27 July 2021
From: Lorraine Smith
Graeme Smith
It is with deep sorrow I inform you of the passing of my beloved husband William Graeme Smith on the 27/07/2021 after a long brave fight with the big C. During his service career he was known as Bill or Jock.
Graeme signed up in the Royal Air Force Fire Service in 1967 for 13 years, and served at the following stations, RAF Lindholme, RAF El Adem, RAF Kinloss, RAF Wildenrath (Harrier Force), RAF St Mawgan, RAF Buchan and RAF Catterick (Fire Fighting and Special Safety Squadron).
The position that he truly loved and made him the proudest he ever felt in his service was when he applied for and was selected to be an instructor at Catterick in 1977. During his time he trained over one hundred new firemen and was extremely honoured that he had been given the opportunity.
During Graeme's last couple of years he was in contact with some of his lads on Facebook and it gave him great satisfaction to see how well they had done for themselves both in the RAF and Civvy Street. He must have got something right, and they did too.
Last year we were fortunate enough to visit the Museum of RAF Firefighting at Scunthorpe for their last open day and it turned out to be very emotional for both of us. It started as soon as we arrived at the hotel with the guys that were there coming up and introducing themselves, 40 years just melted away for him. When all the firemen gathered for the photograph with the truck the smiles on their faces said it all. It was not the only time I cried that weekend. He had tried to explain to me about the brotherhood of RAF Firemen but I had never understood it till then.
Thank you to everyone that came and spoke to both of us it meant so much.
Once an RAF Fireman always an RAF Fireman. Graeme's words not mine.
17 August 2021
From: Ron Brown
Member No 699 Jim Burns
I was informed today by John Sanders that member Jim Burns passed away this morning. I last worked with Jim at KAIA Jeddah back in 81
RIP Jim
* * * * *
Very sad to have to tell that Barry Nolan passed away on 28th of August after a short illness. Barry was an RAF Fireman in the 1960 and his postings included Northolt and Masirah. He was a talented football player and played in goal for his Station. Barry later wrote a book about the Plymouth Fire Service entitled Risen from the Ashes which is highly recommended reading for anyone interested in the history of our trade.
RIP Barry
* * * * *
11 September 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 853 Arthur Bassett
I have just been informed in a letter from his wife that Arthur died on 13th August
RIP Arthur
* * * * *
1 October 2021
From: Trevor Hayes
Member No 236 Dougie Elmore
I have been informed by Dougie’s wife, Lorraine Elmore, that Douglas died 10 August 2020, from liver cancer.
RIP Dougie
* * * * *
17 October 2021
From: Archie Carter
Tom Masterton
I have been informed by his son of the passing of Tom Masterton, peacefully in his sleep, aged 90. Tom was one of my Cpls and crib partner at Bruggen in the late 70s and a nicer man it would be hard to find.
RIP Tom
* * * * *
28 October 2021
From: Jon-
Member No 107 Martin King
It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you all that Martin ‘Scouse’ King sadly passed away on Tuesday evening. Joan, Stephanie and Andrew were by his side. Thoughts and prayers are with them, his family and friends.
Martin’s funeral service will take place on 30th November at 14.30 hours at Lincoln Crematorium, Washingborough Road, Lincoln. LN4 1EF. Everyone welcome afterwards at the Centurion Pub, North Hykeham.
RIP Martin
* * * * *
7 November 2021
From: John Buchanan
Trevor Box
I have the sad duty to inform you that Trevor Box has sadly passed away. He died in the early hours of this morning after a short illness. He served for 22 years at various bases including Germany, Troodos and Marham. I appreciate that he isn't a member, but I am trying to reach out to as many serving and ex serving members of the RAF Fire Service who knew him. We served together at various camps building a friendship that stood the test of time for over 40 years.
He will be dearly missed.
Trevor's funeral will take place on Tuesday 26th November at 2pm, Cambridge Crematorium, West Chapel.
Family flowers only with any donations to Woodlands Trust Macmillans at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon.
RIP Trevor
* * * * *
26 November 2021
From: Terry Dawber
David Johnson
It is with great sadness thatI must inform you that ex RAF Sergeant David Johnson passed away yesterday.
RIP David
* * * * *