The Minster church in Doncaster was packed for the funeral. It was truly a celebration of Brian’s life and a chance to say goodbye to one of the greatest aviation enthusiasts I have known. Unfortunately the building’s acoustics were such that I could not hear the valedictory addresses but I was told they were a real tribute to Brian and his contribution to our kind of aviation. One poignant couple of minutes came when the rector conducting the service invited us all to recall one memorable occasion involving Brian and remember it silently for a couple of minutes. You could hear a pin drop.

The subsequent cremation was private so most of those at the church made their way to the palatial premises of the Doncaster Rugby Club for a “wake”. There were more luminaries from the airshow world than I have ever seen gathered before in one place. All the associations and light aviation disciplines were there in great numbers. It was truly an occasion to meet old friends and to make new ones. So sad it had to be on such an occasion since Brian would have relished being there in person rather than in fond memory.

A stretched “vic” of two Spitfires and a Mustang did a couple of superb flypasts in “missing man” formation at 1600. On the final pass one Spitfire pulled up and did a fine unloaded aileron roll. A fabulous touch and one that Brian would have loved. We all did. It met with applause from those who watched which was everyone including the excellent catering staff who had laid on a superb buffet.

John Romain had orchestrated it and the pilots were, probably, Cliff Spink, Peter Teichman and Maurice Hammond. A fine job done gentlemen.

My personal grieving has now subsided since the funeral does bring a form of closure but my fond memories of Brian Brown will stay with me until it is my time to join him. Hopefully at the age of 120 or so, after being shot by a jealous husband.

Cheers,

Reaper 69
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