Our father Tim died yesterday morning, aged 98. He was surrounded by loved ones, including our mother, Pat (see below).
I, sadly, was in Copenhagen, doing three speeches in one day. For decades I have travelled with the sense that one or both of my parents would die while I was travelling.
Here is a picture of the ensign flying at half-mast at the Capel-le-Ferne Battle of Britain memorial site over a replica of Geoffrey Page’s Hurricane.
More on this before too long, but a big tree has fallen in our forest. [And the BBC Radio 4 item picking up on this quote is some 13 minutes into this link.]
Here is one of the bigger stories from his extraordinary life.
And here is the love of his life:
ADDENDUM
Since this post, obituaries have appeared in many places, including The Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Daily Express. I was happy that the Express used this quote from me:
Speaking from Denmark his son John last night told the Daily Express: “My father grew up in a different world. An only child, sent away to school when he was six, he jumped at joining the RAF shortly before the war. He would later stress that, while he was one of The Few, they in turn were supported by The Many. The ground crew, radar plotters, the merchantmen and tanker crews running the gauntlet of the U-boat wolf-packs. And, critically, the ordinary Britons who endured the Blitz.
“In recent years, he was an extraordinary ambassador for his generation – indeed there has been an amazing outpouring of gratitude over the internet since his death was announced and the RAF ensign went to half-mast at the Battle of Britain memorial.”
I am so sorry to hear about Tim and so grateful I spoke to him before Christmas. Much love to you all.
With love,
Old faithful Emma
Sad to hear of your dad passing, I never met him but I am grateful for people like him.
It is because of many amazing people like your dad we are able to enjoy the freedom we do today.
Just seen the sad news via the two seater Spitfire Facebook page. I had the great pleasure of speaking to your father last year at Bicester. A memory that will stay with me forever.
Recently read Dilip Sarkar’s The Final Few. We as a nation should not forget how much we owe to The Few.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing your father for the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group last September and was struck by his quick wits and charm. Frank, direct , humble and still with a love for flight. He was very helpful and recalled his Typhoon days without fault. Blue skies Tim, blue skies.
My sincere condolences to the Elkington family – we knew each other in Little Rissington when young.
My uncle, also of Little Rissington, was in Bomber Command in WWII and served until his retirement , my mother was a WAAF, my husband flew Lightnings in the Cold War in the RAF, my son and daughter in law are serving members, a cousin was in the Red Arrows, and my eldest grandson hopes to join – thanks to the tenacity and courage of your father’s generation we have enjoyed our freedoms and those members of my family were inspired to join the RAF family too.
With sympathy and kind regards,
Wendy Edmond
Sad you can’t make it, Wendy, but we have 9 nonoegenerian Soviet WWII veterans coming, who fought alongside and loved Dad, along with their 5 carers. So that will be fun : )
I am sure I speak for all members of the RAF Forum where ‘Tim’ was a member, his humour will live with us forever, together with his stories of Number 1 Squadron RAF, The Arctic Convoy and with his involvement in training the Russians in WWII, later Christmas Island, Shackleton aircraft and his time i/c the ‘Brats’ at Locking
Sir, it was a privilege to have you with us and for so long and your unstinting service and memories will ne’er be forgotten
Blue Skies, per ardua……….
JC