Roger Byron-Collins Welbeck Estate Group – Beirut & RAF North Coates

Roger Byron-Collins of Welbeck was certainly a remarkably kind person. My first encounter with him was in October 1972 sheltering at Beirut Lebanon airport which was under attack by Israelis. My wife and I were hiding in a beach hut by the airport fence.. He was with a large group of people from the UK who had been to a wedding in the city. It turned out they were awaiting to be rescued by one of his aircraft. Having never met him before he offered us a lift in his Dakota aircraft which had flown out from the UK on his orders. I remember the event like it was only yesterday. Bombs raining down and jumping over the fence and running to the aircraft with the engines still running. Over 30 people piled on board and as soon as the doors were closed we were airborne taking off from the perimeter track as the runway was out of action. I looked out the window and we were being escorted by two Israeli fighters. I managed to catch my breath asking where were we heading – Nicosia we were told and it was to be my first visit to Cyprus. What an experience and he saved us without giving it a second thought. I had the fortune to meet him him once again 20 years later when his Welbeck Estate Group had bought the former RAF airfield and Married Quarters at RAF North Coates. I wanted to buy one of the former married quarters there and I met him for the second time. Guess what he was such a decent guy he gave me a really decent discount. I think he is still around and wonder if anyone knows how to contact him What a character and a real gentleman he was!