The Association has learned of the death of Lt Cdr Paul Anthony James Collins RN in August 2023. Paul also served as a Major in the Army.
A Thanksgiving service will take place at 1200 on Friday 8th September at Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh, Devon, TQ13 8HR.
Please email Jane Collins if you will be attending jane@littlemead.me.uk
From Records
Paul served as an Observer in the RN between 1964 – 1988 then from 1988 – 2000 in the Army.
800 NAS Buccaneers 1970 – 72
809 NAS Buccaneers 1972
826 NAS Sea King 1974 – 75
700L NAS Lynx 1976 – 77
702 NAS Phoebe Flt Lynx 1977 – 79
Ops Yeovilton 1980 – 81
Ops HMS Illustrious 1982 – 84
Staff Plans Officer FOF3 1984 – 86
Staff of CBF Hong Kong 1986 – 88
1988 joined Army as Major in the RAPC (Royal Army Pay Corps) serving in Germany with 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and HQ 1st Armoured Division, RPO Exeter and HQ 49 Brigade in Nottingham.
Retired 2000
From References *
Whilst flying Sea King XV695 of 819 Squadron on 17 November 1975, a loud bang was heard and No. 2 engine stopped whilst dunking at night 8m from Hermes in the North Sea, sonar cable was cut and the aircraft climbed away, massive oil leak from main gearbox and another loud bang as the aircraft descended to ditch, hit sea, rolled to port, inverted and sank 65°52’N 8°42’E
S/L G J Bell, S/L J P English, Lt P A J Collins & L/A Fitzgerald rescued by SAR helicopter and sea boat from Hermes.
* Fleet Air Arm Helicopters since 1943 by Lee Howard, Mick Burrow & Eric Myall