Proud Moment - 3rd June 1978
Rob enlisted on 4th July 1946 and was discharged 16th October 1983 with a short period out of the service.
His service career follows the path from Leading Aircraftman through to the Commissioned Ranks and finally Wing Commander. Having served an apprenticeship with Saunders-Roe ,Cowes, Isle of Wight he proved a natural candidate to serve as an Aircraft Technician.
However, flying was his greatest ambition and eventually he was selected for pilot training and achieved his ambition of becoming Pilot Officer.
When flying was no longer an option he moved into Air Traffic Control, and later was part of the Examining Board. His final posting, before retirement , was in Brussels as part of Euro Control.
This is just a brief outline of what was a chequered career, plus some of the shields he proudly displayed.
It is hoped to be able to post to this page a full and detailed service record
If anyone has any contributions and knowledge then please Email roberto.warwick@gmail.com
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Memories from Clive
Here are my memories of Dad’s service career, the places we went and the things that we did. The dates are approximate and I finished with dad going to Spain where he met a lovely English lady called Sylvia! The rest is as they say, History!
My first recollection is in my early years where I am unsure of the date but I guess that it would have been around 1958. We were at Baltry in the UK and Dad was likely a Pilot Officer. Dad had purchased an MG car which he had hand painted with a special paint. The colour was British Racing Green and he was so proud of it. I also remember our dog. His name was Nero and he was an Alsatian.
My next recollection is being at RAF Duxford in about 1961-64 and I am not sure of Dad' s rank. I believe it was Flight Lieutenant. I recall man landing on the moon around this time and the satellite “Telstar” was in the news.
Following Duxford I believe Dad was posted to RAF Gan in the Indian Ocean for a one year duration. I guess that would have been around 1965. His rank would have been Flight Lieutenant. As it was an unaccompanied tour the family stayed in a house in Greenhythe Kent. I believe that President Kennedy was assassinated during this time.
I believe that in 1965 we went to RAF Shawbury in Shropshire where Dad was still Flight Lieutenant but was working with the Examining Board for air traffic control.
In 1967 Dad was posted to Hongkong where he worked at Kai Tak Airport with the Fighter Control. We were there for 6 months only and were posted to Singapore. Dad was still Flight Lieutenant.
It was during our posting to RAF Tengah, Singapore in 1967 that we all became so involved in sailing. Dad was made Commodore of the Tengah Yacht Club. We spent every weekend sailing and racing Snipes, GP 14’s, Albacores and Dad’s favourite, the Osprey. It was a very special time in my life as we really came together as a family and loved the location. The sailing tradition has continued as I have had the pleasure of my own children taking up the sport and much to my Dad’s pride. Even now I intend to revisit the Far East once I retire. Dad’s rank was Flight Lieutenant but this was to change!
Dad’s next posting was RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire as Squadron Leader! The year was around 1970. I remember it well as I joined Mobil Oil as an apprentice Marine Engineer. Dad and I travelled to London for the interview with Mobil. I remember the Mobil Personnel Officer telling us that a decision would not be made immediately but then at the end of the interview told us that I was actually accepted. I guess he like what he saw and heard. Dad was so proud!
Now following this time I had left home and was in London serving my apprenticeship which was two years at college, one year at sea, followed by one more year at college. During this time Dad was posted to RAF Gutersloh in Germany. His rank was still Squadron Leader. The year would have been around 1974. I remember visiting my parents here and it was actually where Dad had a very mild heart attack.
Following Dad’s posting to RAF Gutersloh he was promoted to Wing Commander and was posted to Bishops Court in Northern Ireland as Station Commander. Following Dad’s service at Bishops Court he was presented with the OBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in July 1978.
Sue and I visited my parents in Bishops Court as they had not met Sue. Of course we ended up getting married and have three fine children.
Following RAF Bishops Court Dad was posted to NATO Head Quarters in Brussels in 1978. Dad served for the remainder of his time here and retired as Wing Commander at the age of 55 in 1983.
Dad then lived in Ramsgate, Kent for several years before leaving the UK and pursuing a new life of retirement in Spain.
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Message
Photo and info sent by John Potter
Course 101 was from April to December 1954 at RAF Oakington near Cambridge
Rob was one of the Instructors on the first pilot training course on jets
(Bottom row, last on right )
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Message
Dear Sylvia
My sincere condolences to you and all his family on the death of Rob. During my advanced flying training course at RAF Oakington, near Cambridge, I flew only once with Rob - on 20 October 1954 in a DeHavilland Vampire T11 practising formation flying as No 2 for 45 minutes. He was a marvellous young flying instructor and a lovely man who looked after us very well on the course. It might of been him in the attached photo. It was great to meet up with him when our Course celebrated the 50th anniversary of us being awarded the coveted RAF Wings, at the RAF Club in Pall Mall on 18 October 2004.
If I can find any other pictures I will send them.
Yours sincerely
Danny Lavender
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