Alfie Fripp, Britain’s oldest surviving and longest-serving Prisoner of War passed away on 3 January 2012 aged 98. Alfie was taken PoW on 13 October 1939, when his 57 Squadron Blenheim crash landed following attack by a German Messerschmitt ME109, while returning from a photo recce mission between Munster and Hamburg.

Much has been written about Alfie’s PoW story before, and in the hours since news of his passing broke. He was quite simply a truly remarkable man, a hero, and a giant among giants. I shall never forget his quiet modesty and that twinkle in his eye. He lit up every Association event he attended and was a constant source of inspiration to everyone that he met. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. Rest in peace Alfie.

Like all who met him at our Association get-togethers, I will miss Alfie. When I first met him at RAF High Wycombe in 2009, Alfie was unaware of our Association, but soon became an integral part of the ‘mob’. A true gentleman, like all our ‘old boys’ he simply lit up any Reunion event he attended. When the idea of holding a Navigators’ Union Dining-In Night at RAF Cranwell was mooted in mid-2011 (with Chief of the Air Staff as ‘Mr Vice’) I suggested that Alfie should join us as a Guest of Honour. His staying power on the night itself in November 2011 (and at all our Reunion events) was remarkable – a man who lived life to the full. We’ll miss you Alfie. When we next meet, the first beer is on you!

The West Chapel at Breakspear Crematorium was packed on Friday for the funeral of Alfie.   With music on entry from The Great Escape, the Chief of the Air Staff was represented by Air Commodore Barrie Thomson, and the Association was represented by our President, David Houghton, Mike Bracken, Chalky Chambers and myself.

[caption id="attachment_1789" align="aligncenter" width="217"] Alfie Fripp – Order of Service[/caption]

 OC 57 Squadron, Squadron Leader ‘Wes’ Wesley, led the Bearer Party and along with many other uniformed attendees ensured that Alfie’s service for King, Queen and Country was appropriately marked. Moving words of remembrance came from family and friends; Robert Fripp spoke of his uncle. “Alfie belonged to two families and was a repository of the history of both. His second family was the Royal Air Force, which I believe was as close to his heart as his first family.” After the Last Post and the final commendation, mourners left the Chapel to the resounding tune of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.

[caption id="attachment_1788" align="aligncenter" width="452"] Alfie departs to the sounds of ‘Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines’[/caption]

Rest in Peace Alfie