The Association has learned of the death of Lt Anthony ‘Tony’ Roy Maurice Hayward RN on 14 February 2020.
From Records
Tony served as an Observer between 1956 – 68
1958 – 894 NAS
1960 – 890 NAS
1962 – 899 NAS
1963 – 801 NAS
1965 – 892 NAS
1967/68 – 899 HQ
Lt (O) ARM (Tony) Hayward
Tony Hayward, who died on 14th Feb 2020, was principally an AWF looker, with brief but exciting spells embarked with 831 – ECM and 801 – Buccaneer Mk 1. He served from 1956 to 1968 beginning with St Vincent and Ocean, the training carrier, then 31 (O) course at Culdrose.
His first front-line squadron was 894 Sea Venoms 1958-59 followed by Sea Vixens with 890. In 1962 he joined 831 and was part of the Ark Royal detachment of two ECM Gannets on a Far East cruise. This came to an abrupt end with a night roundown strike which left the tail of the Gannet wrapped round the projector sight and the remainder of the aircraft going over the side upside down.
Tony was in the TAG’s rear facing seat so he got a fine view of where they had just been, as the fuselage separated just aft of him. They were quickly picked up with only minor injuries, by the planeguard frigate, HMS Eastbourne.
He then converted to Buccaneers (Mk 1) and joined 801 in the Far East on Victorious in 1964. Following this it was back to Vixens and further front line service with 892 and 899. Later he wangled some light aircraft time and like many lookers who could see how easy their pilots made it look, took to piloting and got a CPL.
After leaving the Navy, he moved to Nigeria and became Chief Flying Instructor of the Lagos Flying Club. He ended up with over 5000 hours – more driver than looker. During this time he developed a further career in the aerospace industry and it was in Nigeria that he met and married Pat, who survives him.
Back in the UK he joined British Aerospace with whom he worked on and off for many years, including on Hawk sales to Indonesia, and outside BAe, on helicopter sales in the Philippines.
Eventual retirement saw him retraining as a Financial Adviser which he continued until very recently. He had interests in South Africa, won medals for target shooting and enjoyed jazz, and was adding to his flying hours until recently. Latterly he was self-appointed chief whip for the AWF group attendances at the FAAOA annual lunch at Phyllis Court.
His funeral in Wallingford was one of the last ‘proper’ funerals before the wretched covid restrictions and it was well attended by Navy colleagues and many others.
Gannet photo courtesy of John Sturgeon who was in the middle seat.
Cartoon of 31 (O) Course members drawn by Tony
Photo of Tony