Members of the Branch Remember Lost Serving Colleagues and RAFA Branch Members

GORDON OVERTON 1928 - 2019
It is with deepest sorrow that we had to announce the death of Gordon Overton. Gordon was, for many years, our social secretary along with the late Jean Williams. The two would arrange arrange quiz nights, our branch evenings and outings to various places. Coincidently, it was Gordon and Jean who organised the first branch visit to Cosford Military Museum. After standing-down  from  the  committee,  Gordon  continued  to  be  a  regular visitor to branch meetings until ill health took over. He moved into a local care  home,  were  he  was  visited  by  members.  A  regular  visitor  was  our RAFALO, Shaun  Griffin,  who  brought  Gordon  along  to  our  day  out  at Shuttleworth. Although wheelchair bound at the time, I know that Gordon enjoyed himself, being with his friends of RAFA again.


RAF VETERAN ROY NEWBURY 2 JULY 1928 - 23 NOV 2022
.It is with very great sadness that the Branch came together on a cold snowy morning in Cambridgeshire in Dec 22, to say our final farewell to our friend and long standing Branch Member Roy Newbury.
Roy had joined the Royal Air Force as an engineer serving in Palestine after WWII, and Stations in the UK. 
Having served on the Branch Committee for many years, Roy would always volunteer for vacant positions, this is how he became our Branch Standard Bearer for a long period. His exacting standards and eye for military detail were evident in all he did. He researched Lancaster crews who were shot down, keeping detailed records. He wrote extensive and detailed instructions for the Standard Bearer role. As an honorary member of the Air Crew Association, he often attended parades and memorials in France honouring those bomber crews, he was very highly thought of member in that Association too. A very loyal Wings Appeal collector, he would charm everyone whom he met, often with a cheeky smile, or quick line of introduction and explanation about our Branch and charity. 
A frequent attender at Branch NAAFI Breaks, Roy once he lost his driving licence through age, would regale stories to our Branch Padre who would collect him. He always liked to arrive early for breakfast, and pick up fish and chips on his way home. Sadly many never witnessed his epic playing of the spoons, as a means of entertaining folk, or his singing whilst collecting for Wings Appeals, as our former Chairwoman Lisa reflected. Perhaps most fitting is his parting words of goodbye as on many occasion, he would say to you, goodbye God bless.
Roy Newbury a light in all our lives, you will be deeply missed by us all, and always very fondly remembered as a loyal friend. 
Per Ardua Ad Astra. 

Warrant Officer Shaun Griffin Branch RAFALO