Special screening of Battle of Britain at Duxford

Great news.

You might be interested to know we raised £522 for the BHF, not including any donations made directly.

Many thanks to everyone who came along.

Andrew

(Mark12, Don’t stand too long without your frame will you)

Melv,

My walking stick is skillfully concealed in the photo behind the head of Mrs A in B. 🙂

Mark

And how was your talk for the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mr. Hiscock? I tried to attend but was turned away at the door.

It went well, better than I expected. It was daunting to do the Sir Alan Cobham Memorial Lecture knowing that the last person to do it was Alex Henshaw and that you have Sir Michael Cobham in the front row!

Don’t know why you have to be 5’10 or above to be in the RAeS. Seems like a silly rule to me.

SRP

No Patty, I made up the bit about being over 5’10” to get in, they didn’t let you in because you are an American – I just didn’t want to offend you . . .

And how was your talk for the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mr. Hiscock? I tried to attend but was turned away at the door.

Don’t know why you have to be 5’10 or above to be in the RAeS. Seems like a silly rule to me.

SRP

Wasn’t it nice of Mrs Andy in Beds to crouch down to make Patty feel less short.

Melv

(Mark12, Don’t stand too long without your frame will you)

I am sorry to have missed the event. Robert Rudhall’s passion for aircraft and the Battle of Britain film were infectious.

The Forum getogether that Becka and I organised was fantastic fun and I, too, remember watching the audience transfixed to every word Robert said. He showed some fantastic films and the whole day was so memorable. I painted a replica film scramble board for him after showing mine at the getogether and got it to him.

I first contacted Robert as a youth in the late 70s when he was with the Cotswold Aircraft Restoration Group…

When I get back, we will need to get another getogether going Becka as it was such fun. You can rest assured that someone will be watching over us and smiling.

I first met Robert Rudhall at the Great Warbirds Air display in the late 80’s, our meeting was no fluke, Robert had kindly responded to a classified ad I had placed in Flypast regarding the Battle of Britain film.

From that initial meeting a strong friendship grew, over the years I got to know that there was far more to Robert than the Battle of Britain film. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Robert, if he could help someone he would, whatever the task set.

Although I have enjoyed going to numerous airshows across the UK this year, I have greatly missed the company of RR, many a dull moment at DX was enlivened by his razor sharp comments, and anecdotes of his earlier preservation involvements, from his time at Skyfame and CARG, thru his work with Aircaft Illustrated, Aeroplane Monthly and finally Key publishing and Flypast.

Melvin mentioned earlier about Robs hatred of flying in anything other than a Lancster, reminded me that Rob is one of a very select few to have flown on both the BBMF and CWH Lancs.

The one aspect of Robert that I will always remember will be his enthusiasm, after attending airshows for close on 40 years the interest never waned, wether he was standing in a muddy field or on a Flypast asignment flying with John Fairey.

For me Robert was an inspiration, but above all he was one of lifes true gentleman.

Septic.

Gary Brown.

I echo the comments and I am only sorry that I wasn’t able to stay around for the wander and visit to the Red Lion. Many thanks to all involved in putting the film on today and it was very nice to meet those members of the forum that I hadn’t met previously (Steve P, Anna (your secret is safe with me!) and met24. Sorry merlin – didn’t realise you were there! I hope and trust that the Red Lion festivities were most enjoyable. I look foward to meeting up with you all again in the near future – the forum Xmas bash, I hope!

When the Forum met BoB

Bob was on good forum this afternoon and enjoyed by those present. Watching the film on a big screen is fantastic and gives a rare opportunity to see some of the background detail that you generally don’t notice.

Afterwards we enjoyed a cup of tea and a look at a superb collection of BoB memorabelia, followed by a wander around DX. The Red Lion formed the venue for the evening. A few beers and very pleasant company.

With family duties ahead of me I had to depart as the food orders were arriving. I leave those who stayed over to add some garnish.

Unable to make the film but I want to echo what James said about Robert. He was a cool dude! I first met him at Middle Wallop on the day the Scout was retired. We saw each other on and off and I remember bumping into him at Reno just after a nasty T6 accident. Two had collided and although one got down, the other crashed just outside the airport. Robert was on the press bus going around the end of the runway when it hit about a couple of hundred yards away. As he got off the bus he said “Someone just threw a Harvard at me” It wasn’t meant to be funny or make light of the situation, but he was typically very dry.

Robert’s funeral was a standing room only affair. Not easy to say goodbye to one of your contemporaries and one that will be missed.

I was hoping to take Robert flying in the Rearwin but he didn’t make it. I may not have managed it anyhow as Robert, for an aviation enthusiast, hated flying. The only aeroplane he would willingly enter was the Lancaster.

On the way to Robert’s funeral I got lost and found myself on a back road in the middle of nowhere on snow. The car got away from me and there was not enough room to recover and so I ended up stoofing in the front of the car.

Robert would have loved that, I am sure he was watching and laughing.

Melvyn Hiscock

I’ll be there for the one o’clock showing, been waiting to see this fillm in a cinema for ages now, thought I’d missed my chance when we went to Ireland during the time of the Leicester Square screenings in June, good old DAS 😀

Seats still available, so if you’re planning on coming and you haven’t telephoned the lovely ladies in the DAS office yet, grab the dog and bone and dial 01223 836593 to get your place in the Astra 🙂

Sadly I won’t be able to be at this memorial screening – although I would very much like to be. However I think of Robert frequently, and I’m sure that his friends, wife and mother would agree that sharing this memoriam is appropriate.

I was privileged to read the following at the Memorial Service at Duxford, held by the Duxford Chaplain, Peter Smith, for Robert J Rudhall. Many people contributed to making that service happen – I won’t attempt to list them, but they know who they are. Others helped me with their views and memories of Robert, again, they know who they are, and they have my sincere thanks.

Afterwards many of the attendees were able to feel that something of Robert’s personality had been captured on the day, by the several addresses, the people there, the service, and the occasion. That was a good thing to have had a small hand in helping with.

This is for those who weren’t there but would like to know more, and as a small reminder, of a quiet generous man, to those who were able to attend.

Remembering Robert
An address. 30 May 2004

“I am here to say a few words about Robert as a friend and fellow journalist.

I would like to focus upon Robert’s life; one well lived and generously shared. Those that knew Robert were lucky to do so – he gave more than he took, and what he gave was a lot.

While the latter years of his life were restricted by his heart, I am very aware that he conducted himself as any of us would be proud to do – he was not one to complain, and while he may have on occasion pushed himself harder than was wise, the result was a contribution which was in no way reduced.

While the echoes of his soft Cotswold accent will die away, we are lucky that we still have something of him in his writing. More important, but difficult to see, is the contribution he made in aviation preservation.

Though he did not seek reward, fame or credit, as Paul Day was to say at Robert’s funeral, he was always prepared to quietly help, guide and advise, while shunning the limelight himself.

He would never belittle or run down people or organisations. He was a vital link on many occasions; putting someone in touch with someone else, so something – often something that would fly – would be better off.

Most people watching the aircraft we see preserved today will not be aware of the depth of Robert’s contribution, from his early days in aircraft preservation, then as a freelance journalist, later as an Editor with Key Publishing, but always with his speciality of the ‘Battle of Britain’ film. But his contribution was a vital one.

Today we only have time to mention his passion for music, his humour, which, despite his ‘laid back’ persona would often result in some priceless or razor-sharp gem.

His skill with the jigsaw puzzle that is the game of aircraft preservation; his phenomenal knowledge and drive to increase and share that knowledge are both irreplaceable losses; but nothing compared to the loss of such a warm hearted, honest and humane man.

His books and his other work are a poor substitute for Robert himself, but we should be aware that many more people enjoyed and learned from these than even Robert expected.

I only wish that Robert had the opportunity to know how many people held him in as high esteem as they do.

For many of us, a most ardent wish is to leave this life having made a difference. In Robert’s case, there is no doubt that he did make a difference – like him, a quiet one, and, like him, an important one. I firmly believe that the echoes of his work and his life will take a long time to disappear; and while we are bereft of a generous and warm hearted man, we are all the richer for his work. We are honoured to have known him.”

Steve…I first met Robert when Tony Dyer and I organised the first forum get-together at Duxford back in January 2003. Tony contacted Robert and asked him if he would come to the get-together and give his renowned presentation on the making of the film, and Robert very kindly agreed.

If my memory serves me correctly, 20 something forumites attended that day. I remember vividly, sitting at the back of the room listening to Robert, and horrifying realising that all the forumites were deadly silent…”my God!” I thought, “they don’t like it!” (Afterwards, Robert said exactly the same thing to me, as did his wife, Joyce!) Robert thought he was “preaching to the converted” but we need not have worried, as we eventually realised that all were transfixed! I shall never forget that first forum get-together, and I believe that the forum spirit/camaraderie/sense of belonging we now have, really began that day.

I did not know Robert very well, but in the few short months that I knew him, he was always friendly, helpful, thoughtful, kind, considerate, and welcoming. It is all too easy to throw about words like these after the death of someone, but Robert truly merited these words in my opinion. The last time I spoke to him, he telephoned me all full of excitement, to tell me that MGM had finally decided to add “The Making of The Battle of Britain” documentary to the forthcoming DVD (Robert had one of the very rare original prints of the documentary, and he passionately wanted others to be able to see it and enjoy it – as I am sure you all do when you watch it on your DVDs of the film :))

Becka

Oh Annas going there, sure she wil find it 🙂

:p Yes James 😉 😉 I am very capable of navigating,Thankyou :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Anna 😉 😀 😀 😀 :diablo:

Tonight, I will post a copy of the appreciation I read at Robert Rudhall’s memorial service.

For the moment I would just say that he was a true gentleman, quiet, but made a real difference. A great, generous friend to many in the aviation community, I think he would have been surprised at how many attended his funeral and later service at Duxford, but he was highly regarded in the community. Much missed and a great loss.

For those of us who never had the opportunity to meet him, could some of the members post their rememberances of Robert Rudhall? I have heard some from JDK, but would appreciate hearing from others as well.

Steve

Robbo pointed this out to me.

Sorry I can’t make it, have a Mini (as in the car) charity run for a childrens hospital, but if you feel like a drink after let me know.

We may be invading with many a Mini 🙂

Have a good time, how can I donate some money?

If you’re not coming to the film show but just want to give some money, the simplest way would be to send it straight to the British Heart Foundation.
See www.bhf.org.uk – you can do it online.

I look forward to meeting those of you that can make it. Please introduce yourselves!

Andrew

Just as well I fear…