The Association has learned of the death of Lt Winstone David ‘Dai’ Rees RN on 2 September 2021.
Taken from the Daily Telegraph
Winstone David REES ‘Dai’ former Fleet Air Arm Sea Vixen pilot Died Sept 2nd aged 78, Referendum Party Candidate in 1997 & lead candidate for UKIP in Wales in the 1999 Euro elections, besides a long career in Business Aviation. His wife, two sons & granddaughter survive him. Funeral at St Peter’s Church, Evercreech, BA4 6HZ Sept 22 at 2pm. Donations to St Michaels Hospice RG24 9NB
From Records
750, 738, 766 Squadrons – Training 1966 – 67
HMS Hermes, 892 and 893 Squadrons 1967 – 68
750 Squadron Lossiemouth – 1969 – 71
32 ‘C’ Flight RAF Northolt – 1971 – 72
From References *
Sea Vixen XJ581 of 893 Squadron Yeovilton on 19 November 1968, during pre-flight inspection the observer handled ejection firing cables and inadvertently fired ejection seat. Seat fell overboard, observer thrown clear and fell on wing, HMS Hermes. Lt WD Rees unhurt & Lt P T Duncan injured.
Dai Rees died at the age 78 on September 2 after a short illness
He joined the Royal Navy from Grammar School aged 16 as an artificer apprentice. He finished his apprenticeship in 1963 passing out top of his course as an REA AIR”. After 18 months as a watch supervisor on 766, he joined Dartmouth to begin flying training. He came top at Dartmouth and was guard commander at the passing out parade.
After Linton, Brawdy and Yeovilton he joined 892,893,750 and RAF 32 Squadron C Flight.
He was one of the first naval officers on 32 squadron and the first to gain an Air Support Command “B” VIP category and flew the then Prime Minister after 6 months.
On leaving the Royal Navy in 1973 he joined MAM Aviation at Heathrow and a year later became Chief Pilot and Commercial Director. As well as Tom Jones, Engelbert Humpadink and other MAM artists, other passengers included Frank Sinatra, James Hunt, Richard Burton Liz Taylor and Orson Wells.
He built the company from one to eight HS125 and started an Air engineering company which at its height was the largest of its kind in Europe, servicing 40 aircraft.
He managed Falcon 900 aircraft from 1987 to his retirement 22years later obtaining the first Bermudian Air Operators certificate flying many VIPs and heads of State including the Queen and Prince Phillip.
He played a significant role in the opening of Farnborough Air Sciences Museum and was President of Hook and Odiham RFC in its early years.
He is survived by his wife Jacqui, sons Will and Tim and granddaughter Zoe
The funeral took place at St Peter’s Church, Evercreech, Somerset on Wednesday, September 22nd
* Fleet Air Arm Fixed-Wing Aircraft since 1946 by Ray Sturtivant with Mick Burrow & Lee Howard.