Royal Air Forces Association Corsham and Chippenham Branch
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Departed Members
On this page we remember some of our members who have passed away recently. |
Bud Wainwright
 It is with sadness that we learnt of the death of Bernard “Bud” Wainwright on 4th July 2006 following his fight against cancer.
Bud was called for National Service in 1955 and volunteered for a 5 year stint as a Physical Training Instructor. He left the RAF in 1959 but rejoined in 1962, volunteering to train as a PJI (Parachute Jumping Instructor). Bud made 103 jumps from the balloon and Hastings, Beverly, Argosy, Wessex helicopter and Hercules.
In 1967 Bud applied and was accepted for training as an Air Loadmaster winning his wings in December 1968 to begin a long association with the Hercules fleet. There was a short break of 8 months on Nimrod during the Cod War.
Bud left the RAF for the second time in 1979, but at the age of 47 was offered the opportunity to rejoin in 1984 which he did, returning to the Hercules fleet and serving in the Falkland Islands. At the age of 52 Bud’s hearing was being affected by the Hercules and he was concerned that it would be the end of his service life, however he was posted to 216 Squadron at Brize Norton to fly on the Tristar for the next two and a half years, clocking up 2,022 hours.
Bud became a civilian for the third time at the end of October 1991, retiring with the rank of Master Air Loadmaster (MALM). He became deputy manager of the Emery Gate Shopping Centre and after two years moved into the manager’s post where he remained until October 2001.
Branch members attended the funeral service at West Wiltshire Crematorium on Wednesday 12 July 2006. The coffin was escorted by the branch standard bearer and draped with the RAFA flag.
Our thoughts go to his wife Doreen and the family.
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Peter Preece
 Peter began his association with the Royal Air Force with the Air Training Corps in his hometown of Plymouth. He joined the RAF as a Boy Entrant Telegraphist, and did his training at RAF Compton Bassett in 1950. Peter’s first posting in 1952 was RAF Rudloe Manor, a station he returned to on several occasions during his career and where he first met Myra who was destined to become his wife some 40 years later.
Overseas tours included Egypt, Malta. Borneo, Germany, Cyprus, Singapore, Christmas Island and a detachment to Honolulu. Peter’s last posting in the RAF was to Tactical Communications Wing at RAF Brize Norton in the rank of Flight Sergeant.
In 1992 Peter and Myra met up again while she was working at Basil Hill Barracks.
Peter had his own business – a Fishing Tackle Shop in Plymouth. Fishing, playing keyboards and gardening were hobbies he continued throughout his retirement.
Regrettably Peter lost his long fight with cancer. Branch members attended the funeral service at West Wiltshire Crematorium on Wednesday 2nd August 2006. The coffin was escorted by the branch standard bearer and draped with the RAFA flag.
Our thoughts are with Myra.
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John "Jock" Coutts
 It is with sadness that we learnt of the death of John “Jock” Coutts (84) on 15 August 2006 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Jock was born in Kilsyth, Scotland where he lived until joining the RAF at the age of 22. Jock completed 32 operational sorties as a tail-gunner in 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Lancaster bombers during World War II.
After the war he served in India and Cyprus before moving to Stanmore Park to work on radar. While stationed at RAF Yatesbury he met Patricia who was to become his wife. They married in 1952. In the early 60’s they emigrated to Australia, returning to Chippenham after three and a half years. Jock worked as an engineer at Westinghouse until retiring in 1986. Pat died 12 years ago.
Branch members attended the funeral service at West Wiltshire Crematorium on Friday 25th August 2006. The coffin was escorted by the branch standard bearer and draped with the RAFA flag.
Our thoughts go to the family.
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Leonard Arthur Doggett
 Born 26th June 1904 in Cambridge
After leaving school he worked in the grocery and provisions trade working with private and national companies including Co-op groceries
While living in Cambridge he became very interested in sport; he rowed for the Beehive Club as Stroke in the eights and was Cox for a time
He also played football and later became a referee
For many years he was a ‘Class 1’ road walking judge and whilst living in Chippenham he could be seen in ditches between Chippenham and Calne watching for ‘lifting’ in the Chippenham to Calne Road Walking Race
He also judged at county and area meetings
He served as Chairman of the Wiltshire Sports Council and on the Committee of Chippenham Town Football Club.
In 1938 he joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and was mobilised when war broke out in September 1939
He was stationed at R.A.F. Hullavington where he became a Flight Sergeant
He met his future wife Jen Dargue and they married in 1943.
He left the R.A.F. in 1945
He worked at Westinghouse for 25 years, retiring in May 1971.
Keeping up his interest in athletics he joined the Amateur Athletics Association and served as Chairman of the Wiltshire Association, Treasurer and Vice-Chairman of the South Western Counties A.A.A. and a member of the Southern Counties A.A.A
He joined the R.A.F.A. and continued working with the interest of others at heart
He served on various R.A.F.A. Committees and was awarded the M.B.E. in 1962 for his work in this field
He held office of Chippenham Branch Treasurer, President and Treasurer of the Wiltshire Region, Treasurer and Vice-Chairman of the South Western Area and a member of the Central Council in London
He served on the Appeals and Standing Orders Committees.
Mr Doggett belonged to the Royal British Legion and was very prominent in the town wearing his white shirt, cigar in mouth, selling poppies to the public. As Poppy Day Organiser he also spent many weeks browbeating shop owners into having remembrance wreaths
He served as Treasurer and Services Secretary of the Chippenham Branch, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the County Branch and on the South Western Area Council
Mr Doggett was in the Chair at the first meeting of the Wiltshire War Pensions Committee
He was also Secretary of the Chippenham Division of the Soldiers Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association.
He served on the Wiltshire County Council, North Wiltshire District Council and Chippenham Charter Trustees serving on various committees, including housing
He was Mayor of Chippenham in 1961 and 1971 and became an Alderman in 1970
He served on the Board of Governors of Sheldon School and an athletics trophy was named after him
He was a Committee member of the Chippenham Social Services Association, the Chippenham Squadron of the Air Training Corps, the Conservative Association and Age Concern.
Mr Doggett enjoyed gardening and had an allotment on Chippenham Sports Ground
Once, when clearing weeds, he had a bonfire that lasted several days but one afternoon it flared up and created a lot of smoke and stopped the cricket match because smoke blew across the adjoining field.
Mr Doggett was a very popular man within Chippenham, he died at Chippenham Hospital in 1976 aged 70 years.
His funeral took place at St Paul’s Church, Chippenham followed by cremation and interment at Haycombe Crematorium, Bath
He was survived by his widow and two sons.
Life history kindly supplied by a member of the Doggett family
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Bill Wade
 | Bill was born in London on 1 November 1915. He attended Paddington Technical School as an engineering student, and then joined the 24th Entry, No1 School of Technical Training at Royal Air Force Halton as an Apprentice Fitter (Aero-Engine) in September 1931. He married Margaret in London during 1940.
He completed two tours in Egypt and one in India and was “Mentioned in Dispatches”. Bill retired from the RAF as a Warrant Officer in 1957, moving to Chippenham, where he took employment in the Drawing Office at Westinghouse.
Bill joined the Chippenham Branch of RAFA in 1957, and at various times held the posts of Chairman, Welfare Officer and Wing Appeal Co-ordinator. In 1984 he moved across to the newly formed Corsham & Chippenham Branch where he continued to work as Welfare Officer and Wings Appeal Co-ordinator. Bill was made an Honorary Vice President of the Branch for his work over the years.
Bill was also involved with the Sea Cadets committee between 1958-1995 holding the posts of Secretary and Treasurer. He was a shooting instructor for the Air Training Corps and the Sea Cadets. He was a founder member of the Chippenham Sailing Club holding posts as Secretary and Commodore. One for keeping busy, Bill also was on the committee of the Chippenham Carnival from 1965 – 1987 and Treasurer for the Cancer Research Campaign for some 30 years.
Bill was Mace Bearer to all Chippenham Mayors between 1980 and 1997.
His son - John Dudley Wade - succeeded him in this role, from 1997 until September 2002, when he suddenly tragically died at the age of 57.
1990 was the “Golden Year” for Bill and Margaret Wade – they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Chippenham Town Council bestowed the honour of “Honorary Townsman” and he was awarded the BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
In the year 2000, Bill and Margaret celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
Bill was hospitalised in September 2002, following an injury to his leg. Sadly, he never fully recovered, collapsing and dying on Thursday 10th October 2002. The funeral service took place at St Paul’s Church Chippenham on Friday 18th October 2002.
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Sqn Ldr John "Jock" Cruickshank
 Sadly we have to commemorate the death of one of our founder members – John died on Saturday 8th March 2008 following a short stay in hospital with breathing difficulties. John joined Corsham & Chippenham Branch of RAFA in 1984 when it was first formed and was Vice-Chairman in 1985, taking over as Chair in 1986 - a post he held for 14 years. In 2000 he was awarded the RAFA South West Area President's Certificate and made a lifetime Vice President of the Branch.
John was born in Perthshire on 12 April 1920, and joined the RAF in 1937 as a Fitter Aero-engine at RAF Manston. During the early part of WWII John served in Iraq, Greece, Tel-Aviv and Tobruk. In 1942 promoted to Sergeant, John was sent with 84 Squadron to Palembang in the fight against the Japanese, they were over-run and John ended up in Changi jail and was sent to work on the Burma Railway. John survived the rigours of being a PoW and was repatriated in October 1945. After medical rehabilitation he was posted to RAF Leuchars as NCO i/c Engines.
Jock married Margaret in 1946. He worked on early jet engines such as those powering the Gloster Meteor. In 1958 he commissioned as a Pilot Officer and was posted to RAF Chivenor working on the Hawker Hunter. He was awarded the MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours list in 1969 and gained promotion to Squadron Leader. His final tour was at RAF Lyneham as OC A Line Servicing Squadron. John retired from the RAF in 1975 and for the next 10 years worked as the Safety Officer for Kennet District Council.
Our thoughts are with Margaret, their daughter Maggie and the grandchildren.
A service of thanksgiving was held at the West Wiltshire Crematorium Semington at 10:00 on Monday 17 March 2008. The Branch were well represented by officers and members. The Standard Bearer escorted the coffin and dipped the standard in an act of homage during the committal. After the service we gathered at the Shaw Hotel.
Photo: John laying a wreath for the Far East Prisoners of War at Chippenham War Memorial during the VJ day service in 2005
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