Remembrance Sunday 2014 - Sunday 9th November

Remembering:

George Wootton

George was an aircrew gunner in WW2 (205 & 40 Sqns) completing numerous operations over Germany. After the war he went into retail banking in which he finished up as a senior manager.

He became a major player in the affairs of the Air Gunners Association (President of the local branch), and the Air Crew Association, in addition to being a member of the Royal Air Forces Association, the Royal British Legion and Torquay Rotary Club. 'Dapper George', as someone once referred to him, was always immaculately dressed, and with his very disarming smile could always be relied upon to squeeze the last penny out of 'Joe Public' in the Poppy Appeal and other Ex-Service fundraising. He was an active member of the Torquay Yacht Club and was an accomplished oarsman.

His funeral was a 'packed house' with representatives from all the organisations in which he had been involved, attending. Our Branch President, Chairman and Treasurer attended, with the President reading a poem and the Chairman giving part of the eulogy. The surviving Air Gunners (all well into their 80's) mustered a splendid guard of honour.

We all share with Peggy and his sons, Tony and David, their loss of a husband and father, who enjoyed life to the full, and enthusiastically gave his support to those not as fortunate as himself and in particular the ex-service community.

Margaret Whitehouse

Margaret has just died . She was the widow of Gerry Whitehouse who had been a Branch Member but died some 20 years ago. The Branch Padre, Fr Haydn Jones, will be conducting her funeral, and the Branch will be represented. 

God Bless You John 

The Last Post was sounded for our chairman who past away on 22 October 2012.

Nine standards were raised by members of the TRBL who paid their respects to John Elliott, who died at the age of 75.

Mr Elliott (pictured), who combined his chairmanship of the servicemen's charity with being a teacher and active member of the local church, was described by his wife, Jennifer, as a 'man of many parts'.

His death came as he was preparing to lead the local poppy appeal which others in the charity will take over.

The service, at St Marychurch parish church, was attended by four priests and the eulogy was read by Mr Elliott's close friend Father Haydn Jones, a retired assistant army chaplain general.

Mrs Elliott said of her late husband: "He was a much-loved man of great integrity and great honesty.

"He was a staunch supporter of his church and the Royal British Legion. Everybody loved him."

She said the couple had moved to Torquay from Kent in 2000 and Mr Elliott had continued his career as a teacher helping foreign students learn English.

He had always been a member of the RBL, having completed his National Service as an aerial photographer in the RAF but only joined the Torbay branch about five years ago.

His skills as an organiser and dedication saw him quickly elected to chairman.

Mrs Elliott said he always retained his interest in photography and she would always remember him in his characteristic pose, smoking a pipe.

A poem was read by his 15-year-old granddaughter Elicia Linares.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house and it was a lovely service," said Mrs Elliott.

The Rev Haydn Jones praised his friend.

He said: "He was a man for others. He spent most of his life teaching young people and had a great concern not just for their intellectual progress but for themselves as people and was always ready in the day or night to counsel them."

Mr Elliott was married to Jennifer in 1966.

He died unexpectedly at his home on October 22. He leaves two children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.