A Royal Navy Lynx has Crashed whilst on SAR Mission.

[Mick F]

May their souls rest in peace.

[Mr T.]

Just one of the reasons we buy and wear Poppies every year....

[Juz]

Head bowed, tear falling.

Thanks guys for your sacrifice to keep us safe.

Juz

[Mr T.]

Families' tributes to helicopter victims
By Richard Savill and Auslan Cramb
(Filed: 11/12/2004)

One of the four Royal Navy aircrew who died when their Lynx helicopter crashed off Cornwall was due to marry next year. Another victim had only recently received his wings from Prince Andrew.

The family of Lt Robert Dunn, 29, the pilot, who was due to marry Fiona Begg next September after becoming engaged a year ago, said they took comfort from the knowledge that he had died "doing what he loved".


Lt Jamie Mitchell

Speaking from the family home in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, his father, also called Robert, said; "We are very shocked by his death, but very proud of him.

"Being in the Navy and flying was all he wanted to do. He lived for the Navy and flying. He was quiet - you think of pilots as being exuberant, but he was the opposite."

Lt Dunn, who went to boarding school at Edinburgh Academy and studied mechanical engineering at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, shared a cottage in Dorset with his fiancée.

His father, a former teacher for the Ministry of Defence in Hong Kong, said: "We were booked to go and see him for three days after Christmas." Lt Dunn's younger brother, Matthew, said: "There are no regrets. He was doing what he wanted to and was with the woman he loved."

The three others who died were Lt Dave Cole, 34, from Dorset, Lt Jamie Mitchell, 29, from Dundee, and Leading Air Engineering Mechanic Richard Darnell, 31, from Torquay, Devon.


Lt Dave Cole

The helicopter was responding to an emergency call, which turned out to be a false alarm, on Wednesday and was 17 miles from Lizard Point when it disappeared from radar. The crew of 229 Flight were members of 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at Yeovilton, Somerset.

Lt Cole, who was married, was the observer and commander of the flight. Lt Mitchell, an observer, and LAEM Darnell, the flight engineer and winchman, were single.

The mother of Lt Mitchell, Wilma Donnelly, from Kingennie, near Dundee, said her son's childhood "dream" had been to fly. "He achieved his ambition to fly with the Navy," she said. "Dartmouth was the first stepping stone but the big one came when he got his wings in June from Prince Andrew."

She said her son was a member of the Royal Navy ski team. His girlfriend, Julia Ewart, also from Dundee, is a former world junior curling champion.

An investigation is continuing into the cause of the crash.

[Scubanut]

Our thoughts are with those who are not with their loved ones..

[Tony F]

Firstly my condolances and thoughts are with those that have lost.

Now..... (rant on)

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

I had a good chat with some of the SAR guys from Culdrose at the Yeovil Air day this year. Makes a change to be able to say thank you in person. They said that they rarely get to meet 'customers' after the event. Good to speak to them.

I find this astounding in the extreme!

If some bugger puts his or herself on the line to save my sorry arse I'll be damn bloody sure to say thanks. I'd have no idea what to say or how to say it but I'd be presenting myself in front of them to thank them some way some how.

It's shameful not to isn't it? It's disgraceful what some folks take for granted and it shakes my faith in humanity.

(rant off)

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Tony F

Firstly my condolances and thoughts are with those that have lost.

Now..... (rant on)



I find this astounding in the extreme!

If some bugger puts his or herself on the line to save my sorry arse I'll be damn bloody sure to say thanks. I'd have no idea what to say or how to say it but I'd be presenting myself in front of them to thank them some way some how.

It's shameful not to isn't it? It's disgraceful what some folks take for granted and it shakes my faith in humanity.

(rant off)

Indeed Tony,

I think that they get many letters (I certainly sent one), just that personal meets are rare. The crew I spoke to were one of the seven crews at Boscastle and a big meet had been arranged.

But as to people not saying thank you in general, this seems to be an unfortunate effect perhaps of many people being too well off. They can buy anything they want, are never polite and the attitude pervades.

I suspect that some also think along the lines that they have paids their taxes, so don't have to do anything further.

Adrian