The Association has learned of the death of Cdr Andrew George Buick Phillip RN on 30 June 2017.
Andy’s son Andy Jr. writes:
Commander Andrew Phillip RN rtd. who has lived in Diss for 29 years passed away on the 30th June at De Lucy Care home aged 92.
Andrew had a very successful life.
He was a member of the Fleet Air Arm during WW2 and served at RAF Thorney Island in 1944 before moving to Ellough airfield in Beccles defending the East coast from mini submarine attacks in 1945.
He also served in the Korean War from 1951 on board HMS Theseus. He was a qualified FAA Observer and Royal Navy photographer.
He was appointed to serve in many parts of the world at Royal Navy bases after the Korean War ended including Australian RNAS for two years, Malta for two years as Operations officer during the Suez crisis. He was also in command of Observer School at RNAS Halfar in Malta for two years. Furthermore he was a senior diplomatic officer in Singapore SEATO and Turkey CENTO to assist with friendship with our allies around the world.
After 30 years in the Royal Navy he was employed as a senior member of the Building Employers Confederation in South East England.
When he retired in 1988 he moved to Diss and immediately became involved in creating Probus for business men in South Norfolk. He also created NADFAS in Roydon which became very popular with many local people who wanted to learn about Decorative and Fine Arts. He was also a senior member of the Diss British Legion and often stood to attention in his uniform on Remembrance day in Diss Market. He was also an active member of FAA Officers Association in Norfolk.
He also became a regular attender at Roydon Church and St Mary’s in Diss and assisted the Vicars during communion services as a server.
His wife Margaret is 92 and remembers all the wonderful years she shared with her husband over 69 years of marriage. She was in the WAAF after WW2 for a few years. They met at RAF West Raynham in Norfolk in 1947 while she was also serving there during a heavily snowbound winter.
Andrew will be cremated at Risby, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6RR on the 27th July at 11.15. Military contacts are invited to join the family at the crematorium. Standard Bearers and a Bugler will honour his Military commitment to the United Kingdom. Andrew wishes that the FAA will discharge his ashes from an aircraft carrier in UK waters.
A memorial service will be held at St. Remigius Church in Roydon on Thursday 27th July at 12.30.A Wake will be held after the Church Memorial service at Roydon Village Hall.
Donations to the Air Ambulance Service rather than flowers was requested by Andrew before he died.