The Association has learned of the death of Lt Sidney George Gandey RN on 30 January 2018 after a long illness.
From Records
Sid served as a pilot between 1943 – 1954 flying several aircraft types including the Supermarine Seafire, Grumman Avenger and Fairey Firefly.
From References *
On 11 May 1952 whilst flying Fairey Firefly VT433 of 825 Squadron HMSOcean, in an attacking dive at the moment of firing RP there was an explosion and the engine stopped. On jettisoning the remaining RP, a second and similar explosion occurred. The aircraft ditched 15m SSE Haejun. Lt S G Gandey & S/Lt A Bishop rescued by US Albatross aircraft.
On 12 July 1952 whilst flying Fairey Firefly VX391 of 825 Squadron HMS Ocean, the aircraft suffered a heavy landing having caught the slipstream of the aircraft ahead; landing with drift, the undercarriage collapsed, the aircraft slid along the ground, the nacelle tanks caught fire and the aircraft burnt out, Seoul, Korea. Lt S G Gandey & Lt T J Kinna unhurt.
On 24 July 1952 whilst flying Fairey Firefly WB332 of 825 Squadron HMSOcean, the aircraft suffered coolant loss after an attack on shelters near the Amgak Peninsula and made a forced landing in the sea 1m off a beach landing strip W of Cho-Do, Korea. Lt S G Gandey & S/Lt A Bishop rescued by helicopter.
*Fleet Air Arm Fixed-Wing Aircraft since 1946 by Ray Sturtivant with Mick Burrow & Lee Howard