Tony Pickering, 32 & 501 Squadron, 1940. RIP.

I took this pic of Tony surrounded by admirers at the Biggin Hill Hardest Day event last summer.

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I had the privilege to buy Tony and his wife lunch a couple of years back. He was only too happy to recount some of his wartime experiences (to a spellbound audience) and it was an unexpected bonus to discover he had worked at GEC for many years after the war and had known my late father who also worked there.

I am pleased to report that the funeral service today was very well attended, the RAF provided pall-bearers and a smattering of senior officers, the weather was kind, and a BBMF Hurricane provided a very fitting flypast.

Not, as I recall, a single reference to the passing of this gentleman on the BBC South 6.0pm news. I blistered them with an e-mail.

The only link i have found and i had to google it specifically is this one http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/memory-Squadron-Leader-Tony-Pickering/story-28986440-detail/story.html –not really good enough from the major press in my eyes but hey you are not worth anything unless you have a big backside and sleep around .

Met Tony Pickering at Warbirds & Legends North Weald 2010. Always smiling and happy to give his time. Very sad. RIP Sir

RIP and Thankyou.

I was very privileged to meet Mr Pickering in 2001 when I had volunteered to be project Officer for the Battle of Britain Dining-in Night at RAFC Cranwell (I still don’t know why I got to volunteer to do this as a “bluntie” at an RAF Station full of Aircrew but there we go!). As you may recall, something very dreadful happened in New York a couple of days before the Dinner but there was no way we felt we should cancel it so we had a minute’s silence before the dinner. (A strange but appropriate experience). The Dinner was not held at the College but in York House Officers’ Mess, which I felt was always more in keeping with a “proper” OM if there is such a thing. Anyway, it was an excellent evening, despite my organisation, and talking to Tony Pickering after the Dinner made us well aware of the need to fight evil and to cherish the memories of those who do so. Nuff said for this evening, I’ll have a beer for Tony I think.

Not, as I recall, a single reference to the passing of this gentleman on the BBC South 6.0pm news. I blistered them with an e-mail.

True gent and hero. Blue skies

Hi All,
Just read this news on Matt Holness Facebook page such sad news yet another brave gentleman of the sky on his final flight RIP Mr Pickering.:(

Geoff.

Sad news, he was a lovely gent, generous with his time and really bought the Battle to life for me with his stories. RIP.

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Only just heard the awful news. It was an immense pleasure and privilege to meet him at Biggin Hill last year. RIP and blue skies sir

Took Tony out ‘live side’ at Duxford on several occasions over the years for photo calls or to tell his story to a news crew by a Spitfire. Nice chap. Usually drove down with Ken Wilkinson of 19 Squadron from memory

Also flew Spit VII’s with 131 Squadron later in the war I believe

RIP Tony

Chris

Thank You, Tony.

Blue Skies, Sir!

R.I.P.

Very sad news.
RIP
Trumper made a valid point

And what a great guy he was. Very sad news.

R I P Thank you ,brave men all.

The internet and news is slow on this one ,even his facebook page hasn’t anything about his passing–so sad that celebrities are on the internet the second they do anything but a hero passes away and nothing 🙁 –yet.