The Association has learned of the death of Capt Ebenezer Thomson ‘Tommy’ Denholm OBE DL RN on 18 May 2019.
From Records
May 1947 – Joined BRNC Dartmouth from SATS “General Botha” under Dominion Nomination Scheme – Cadet
Aug 1947 – HMS Devonshire – Cadet Training Cruiser – Cadet
July 1948 – HMS Duke of York – Midshipman(E)
Jan 1949 – HMS Thunderer – RNEC Manadon/Keyham – Sub-Lt.(E)
May 1951 – HMS Bermuda – South Atlantic Station – Simonstown – Sub-Lt.(E)
Jan 1952 – HMS Nereide – ——————–“——————————
Apr 1952 – Hms Thunderer. Air Engineering Course – Lieut.(E)(AE)
Jun 1953 – RAF Syerston – Flying Training – Lieut.(E)(AE)
Apr 1954 – HMS Seahawk – Culdrose- OFS1 – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Jun 1954 – HMS Gannet – Eglinton – OFS2 – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Sept 1954 – HMS Gannet – 814 Sqdn. – Lieut (E)(AE)(P)
Oct 1955 – HMS Ark Royal – 814 Sqdn – Lieut (E)(AE)(P)
May 1956 – HMS Falcon – HalFar – 812 Sqdn – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Jun 1956 – HMS Eagle – 812 Sqdn – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Feb 1957 – HMS Thunderer – Flight Cdr. – Lieut (E)(AE)(P)
Mar 1958 – HMS Daedalus – SMAC 20 Helo Conv. – Lieut (E)(AE)(P)
Jun 1958 – HMS Albion (Ships Flight) – Lieut (E)(AE)(P)
Aug 1958 – HMS Daedalus – SMAC 12 Helo MTP Course – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Sep 1958 – HMS Daedalus – RNARY Fleetlands – MTP – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Sep 1959 – HMS Fulmar – Lossiemouth – Jet Conversion – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Oct 1959 – HMS Sanderling – Abbotsinch – SMAC 5 Fixed Wing MTP Course – Lieut(E)(AE)(P)
Nov 1959 – HMS Daedalus – Fleetlands – Fixed & Rotary Wing MTP – Lt.Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
May 1960 – HMS Seahawk – 700(H) Wessex IFTU & 706 Sqdn – AEO – Lt.Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Jan 1963 – HMS Hermes – 814 Sqdn -AEO – Lt.Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Oct 1963 – HMS Victorious – 814 Sqdn – AEO – Lt.Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Jun 1964 – MoD(N) – DGA(N) Helo Desk – Lt.Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Feb 1967 – HMS Osprey – Portland – AEO – Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Mar 1969 – MoD(N) – DGA(N) – Mechanical Section – Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Sep 1971 – HMS Albion – Far East – AEO – Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Feb 1973 – HMS Heron – FONAC Eng Personell, Plans, & Policy – Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
July 1976 – FO Plymouth/FONAC – Command Security Officer. – Cdr(E)(AE)(P)
Sept 1978 – MoD(N) – DGA(N) Asst. Director (Eng) – Act Capt(E)(AE)(P)
Dec 1980 – Terminal Leave – Granted Honorary Rank of Captain.(E)(AE)(P)
Types flown: Percival Prentice, North American Harvard, Fairey Fireflies, Mk’s 1, 4, 5, 6., Grumman Avenger AS 4, Fairey Gannet AS 1 & T5, Airspeed Oxford T Mk’s 1 & 2, Sea Balliol Mk.21, Hughes Hiller HT1, Westland DragonflyHAR Mk.5, Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk’s 1,3, 7 22, DeHavilland VampireT22 & Sea Venom FAW 21 & 22, Hawker Sea Hawk FGA 6.
From References *
By Lt Cdr John G S Norman RN, SMTP, RNAY Fleetlands
Dragonfly HR.5 WN494 RNAY Fleetlands 16 April 1960
My only crash was as human ballast in a Dragonfly which had been giving trouble because of lack of rearward control – the type was very sensitive to centre of gravity position, since all the disposable load was ahead of the rotor mast and the range of tilt of the rotor was limited. We had a small heliport at Fleetlands and I asked Lt Tommy Denholm to do a quick check, with self and one as load. As soon as he lifted off, the beast set off, full back cyclic stick failed to hold her, and since we were aimed at the offices/crewroom, Tommy pulled her round in a left hand turn. I saw the blade tips cut into the turf…..clunk, clunk, clunk….until the rotor stopped and we fell onto the ground on our port side. Only our feelings and the aircraft were hurt.
* Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943 by Lee Howard, Mick Burrow & Eric Myall
Tommy had a long standing and distinguished association with Bodmin Town Council. He was a District and Town Councillor for many years and held the office of Mayor of Bodmin for no fewer than five terms between 1990 and 2001.
A proud Naval veteran, Tommy worked tirelessly with the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.