Died 8 February 2012. The following is an edited version of the Eulogy given at the Memorial Service and forwarded by John Blunden.
‘Boot (he was never known as anything else) was flying the FAA’s latest and fastest fighter, the Sea Fury, in 801 NAS when we first met in 1949 at RNAS Culdrose. For him that was the start of a long association with Cornwall and sailing and where he met many lifelong friends among the local population. He particularly loved sailing on the Helford river and it was at Constantine church, overlooking the Helford river, that he married Paddy in 1953. Subsequently, over the years, we sailed together in all sorts of boats and in all sorts of unlikely places. Boot’s capabilities and enthusiasm in boats were matched with the same qualities in the air. He was a first class fighter pilot with a sense of adventure and humour; some of the flying we used to do in those days required a very high injection of both.
The last time I spoke to him, not long ago, he reminded me of a mad enterprise he engaged in off the Cape Verde Islands. It was in 1950 and the squadrons were embarked in HMS Vengeance and on a good will visit to the islands. Boot found the entertainment on shore a bit dull and decided to explore the remaining islands in the archipelago with the aid of the ship’s 32ft sailing Cutter and a few somewhat inexperienced squadron officers as crew. For most of the following three days the boat was becalmed and no land whatsoever was sighted. Since the victualing had been based on the assumption that fresh water and the exotic fruits reported to grow in the region were readily available the on board supplies were soon exhausted. Meanwhile, an air search, organized by the ship, failed to locate them and it was only just in time for the ship’s planned departure that the exhausted, hungry and thirsty crew – now rowing – hove into sight.
Some years later, when jets had replaced propeller driven aircraft, Boot was responsible for the training of young fighter pilots prior to their joining their first front line squadrons at sea. The aircraft in use at that time were mostly Attackers, the FAA ‘s first jet fighter, and it was whilst flying Attacker WA511 that Boot had a close escape when he had to make a forced landing. The aircraft was a total wreck but Boot was virtually unhurt. He was commanding 801 NAS flying Seahawks aboard HMS Bulwark in 1957/58. The ship was on a world cruise and the first stopping point was the West Indies. This was at the time of the transfer of power to the native West Indians and the first port of call was Trinidad. It was here that Boot had an inspiration (he used to have these occasionally!) for a bit of goodwill. The plan was that the three squadron commanders should go and call on the local dignitaries. It sounded like fun. a car and driver were obtained and, wearing their very best white uniforms, complete with swords and medals, off they went. Perhaps if there had been some warning of the intended visit it might have caused less of a commotion but at the first stop, the mayor’s office, all hell broke loose; they must have thought the Navy had come to reinstate the empire. So, after the second, similarly tempestuous visit, discretion demanded a return to the ship before an international incident was created.
Shortly after, Boot departed for a stint in the Admiralty after which he was promoted commander and given command of HMS Loch Alvie, operating in the Persian Gulf. His next aviation appointment was as Commander (Air) at Lossiemouth in Scotland but a desire to spend a little more time with his family resulted in a request for early retirement from the RN and the end of a very promising career in favour of the city of London where he was equally successful over many years in the Insurance World. The Navy’s loss was the city’s gain. He continued to sail at every opportunity on both sides of the Atlantic.
From records:
Served Jan 1941 to May 1967 and as a pilot from 1948.
Ref books place the following
702NAS 1952 (Attacker):
801NAS in 1957 (Sea Hawk):
CO801 as a Lt from Feb 1956 until disbanded May 1956:
CO 801 (reformed) May 1957 to Mar 1958: