Lt Cdr George David S Armstrong
Lived in Cornwall
Died Saturday 7 July 2012
From Alan Cole
After a long and fairly complicated illness George Armstrong died at Treliske hospital, Truro, on Saturday 7 July.
George will be remembered by many as an Air Mechanic, Junglie Aircrewman, Safety Equipment and Survival Officer, First Lieutenant of Culdrose, CO of SAH and a fine friend. As one ex-colleague commented at George’s funeral “he started his Naval career by walking in the door marked Sailor.” After leaving the Royal Navy he was an active Rotary Club member and was involved with Shelterbox for some considerable time.
George was born in Worthing as one of three brothers. On leaving West Tarring Secondary School in 1958 his headmaster’s final comments were: “a good, reliable and most trustworthy boy who has done very well at school, and will, I am sure, do well with his chosen vocation.” How true those words were to be!
The next year he joined the RN at CONDOR as a Junior Naval Air Mechanic (Airframes and Engines) and after qualifying served In 766, 803, 705 and 848 Naval Air Squadrons at HERON, FULMAR, SEAHAWK, ARIEL and HERMES maintaining Venom, Vampire, Scimitar, Dragonfly, Whirlwind, Hiller and Wessex aircraft and SRN3 Hovercraft. Promoted to Leading Air Mechanic in 1966 he joined No. 19 Rating Aircrew course at OSPREY in April 1967 before completing No. 11 Commando Aircrewman’s course at Culdrose . During this time he commented that whilst he had been a grubber on helicopter squadrons he’d always fancied being the ‘dope on the rope!’
After qualifying as a Junglie Aircrewman he spent a short time with 846 before volunteering, along with many others with Wessex V experience, for 847 Squadron which was formed at SIMBANG in March 1969 to cover our withdrawal from the Far East. It was during his two years with 847 that he was promoted to Petty Officer, was recommended for a commission and had enough time to obtain the necessary educational qualifications. Despite two ditchings and one serious case of ground resonance that destroyed the Wessex on Sembawang’s hardstanding along with the boss’s refrigerator that was in the cabin, along with George, he always loved flying. However, his active aircrew days were almost over because very shortly after returning to Culdrose for a second time with 846 he was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant X (SD) (AV). Looking back at his Service Record comments such as ‘quietly efficient’ and ‘extremely competent’ had replaced earlier ones such as ‘his navigational skills would not enable him to find his way out of the hangar.’
After successful completion of the SD Officers’ Course at ST GEORGE, George’s first appointment was Hangar Control Officer and Survival Equipment Officer in HMS BULWARK from 1972 to 1974. His flimsies from that time comment favourably on his potential and the full part he played in the ship, mess and sporting activities. From BULWARK he went back to Culdrose as SURVO, was promoted to Lieutenant and, again his confidential reports reflected the good example he set to all. An appointment to HERMES as ACRO and Transport Officer followed in 1976 during which the Captain commented on the long hours he worked in order to ensure successful completion of his duties.
In 1977 George was appointed to the Survival School at Seafield Park. During his two-year tenure Prince Andrew completed the notorious aircrew survival course and, en-route to RAF Leeming, asked his ADC to pass on his thanks to George and apologise for failing to say goodbye before he left. His Royal Highness also added that he was pleased he had been able to leave with the minimum of fuss and wished it was always like that!
After Seafield Park, George was appointed to the United States Naval Safety Centre at Norfolk, Virginia, where he filled a post as a Section Head. Normally a Lieutenant Commander’s post George served most of his appointment as a Lieutenant, which was a very positive endorsement of his professional capabilities and qualities of leadership. He was an excellent ambassador doing much to enhance the image of the Royal Navy and the UK and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander before leaving.
After this exchange posting George was sent to The HQ British Forces Falklands in 1986 as Staff Officer Plans (Navy). The task here, alongside the Army and RAF Staff was to regroup and plan for the future security of the islanders. Aware that not much goes on that far South in winter during one staff meeting the question was raised about how to spice up the mundane routine for the troops stationed there. Maybe forgetting that the Army and RAF don’t share the same finely tuned sense of humour as the sailor does George suggested the idea of a penguin throwing competition! The idea fell on completely stony ground – but it did lighten the mood somewhat. Here George developed an awareness of staff procedures and committee work. The Commander British Forces Falkland Islands commented particularly on the way George faced every new challenge with enthusiasm and good humour.
On his return to the UK his new appointment was as First Lieutenant of HMS SEAHAWK. He always said that his one claim to fame here was the management of the erection of the (current) airfield fence. Managing the replacement of a fence around 800 acres of airfield must have been no mean feat indeed. On 6 October 1987 the Captain of Culdrose recommended George for promotion to Commander NOW (his capital letters)! In July 1989 that Captain’s successor wrote that George had the potential to fill as high a post in the Royal Navy as his branch and sub-specialisation permit.
In 1989 George took up what was to be his last appointment as the CO of the School of Aircraft Handling at Culdrose. His final flimsy speaks of his experience and common sense together with his considerable initiative and administrative ability in overcoming the numerous difficulties concerned with introducing women into the branch. He also set up and supervised the resource and initiative training for all trainee aircrew officers, which was most effective. This last flimsy speaks of a fine Officer, who will be missed by the Station and the Fleet Air Arm.
The final say must be had by the, then, Training Officer of SAH who in his Weekly Orders said that it was not customary to comment upon a boss in this manner but was making an exception to the rule by praising George’s leadership abilities and by wishing him and his family every good fortune in their future years in Barbados after 34-years Service.
As always, perhaps the Officers’ Appointments List Number 32/92 had the very final say by appointing George to NELSON for release on 11 November 1992 to be placed on the retired list due to age!
Immediately after his retirement from the Royal Navy George, his wife Frances (Fran) and younger son Toby moved to Barbados from where Fran was born. Eldest son Paul did not move with them as he was working with Clark’s and remained in Somerset. George joined St James Beach Hotels with responsibility to reorganise the Group’s central laundry and to deliver a better quality product. While successfully achieving this, he also assumed the responsibility of setting up and managing their purchasing, warehousing and distribution centre. Three-years later, however, the decision was made to close their warehousing and distribution centre and George was made redundant.
George returned alone to Cornwall where he set up a property maintenance business. Around this time George and Fran’s marriage unfortunately broke up. George found a new partner, Jenny Fairfax, some time later and they remained together until his death, living in Lelant.
Before leaving the Royal Navy George was one of the original team who formed the Helston Lizard Rotary Club in 1987. George served as Club President during a period of upheaval having to relocate twice in one year. As ever, George guided the club through that period with calm direction. George’s contribution to the Club and the Rotary movement continued when in 2000 Shelterbox was created. Working alongside others George managed the finances, planned and managed the building development and ensured that the 2007 visit of Shelterbox Patron, The Duchess of Cornwall, went ahead without a hitch.
When he finally retired George continued his love of fishing, a skill which he had polished whilst living in Barbados. News of George fishing in Falmouth Bay must have been a worry to the local trawlermen who only relaxed after Jenny witnessed the plight of the single mackerel flapping in the bottom of a bucket and decreed – no more fishing on my watch! Equalling the cost of the boat they had bought George concluded that his single fish was the most expensive ever landed in Falmouth Bay!
George is survived by his sons Paul and Toby, long time partner Jenny and ex-wife Fran. He is missed by all his ex-Naval colleagues, Rotary Club members and his very many friends.
From Roger Bigden
George was an SD (AV) officer. He qualified at RNAS Arbroath as a NAM(AE) in 1959 and became a Commando Aircrewman in the mid 1960’s, with service in the role in the Far East. He was promoted from PO in 1972 and I believe he served in BULWARK initially. Our paths re-crossed when he was SURVO at RNAS Culdrose in 1974-’75. We met up again when he was in HERMES, probably as Hangar Officer/SURVO? during 1977. He worked with the ‘Shelterbox’ charity, based at Helston for much of his retirement. George was a well-known and popular guy, who enjoyed a game of rugby in his earlier years.
His funeral is to be held at 1100 at St Anta’s Church, Carbis Bay on Friday 20 July following which a reception will be held at the Carbis Bay hotel. His partner, Jenny, has requested that those wishing to attend advise her on 01736 753347 for catering purposes.
Donations to George’s memory may be made to the Helston and Lizard Rotary Club.
1959 766
61-63 803
63-65 705
65-67 848
67-69 846
69-71 847
71-73 Bulwark
73-75 Culdrose
75-77 Hermes
77-79 Seafield Park
81-83 Seafield Park
86-89 1st Lt Culdrose
89-92 CO SAH