Our Branch Chairman, Thomas William Blundell (Tom) sadly died on 18 May 2022 in the arms of his wife Barbara.  A service was held on Friday 17 June 2022 at St Bartholomew’s Church in Royal Wootton Bassett attended by family and friends, with the Legion guard of honour, standard bearer and bugler present.

Tom was born on 9 March 1942 in a cottage in Lancashire and after enjoying a childhood in farming he joined the RAF aged 18 where he would serve for 30 years in the Far East, Germany, The Falklands and the UK.

He met his wife Barbara at the age of 19 and together had two loving sons, Stephen and Paul. A close family, they shared the adventures of RAF life meeting many dear friends along the way, many of whom were at the service. Tom was passionate about engineering and after leaving the RAF spent 14 years working at British Airways. He loved travelling to the US where Paul now resides and their adventures continued with grandchildren Julien, Justin, Nadia and Majeed. In the UK he doted on his granddaughter Sally and lately his beloved four year old great granddaughter Rose Lily.

Tom was never happier than when he was in his garden, pottering around looking after his many beautiful plants, and ensuring family and friends were well supplied with his home-grown tomatoes, cucumber and various other delightful veg.

An avid aircraft enthusiast he rarely missed a chance to watch aircraft at air shows around the country, especially The International Air Tattoo.  He worked on the Vulcan in his early days and helped support to keep it airworthy

He is sadly missed by family and friends and was a big presence in all our hearts.