Sad news. I spent a couple of weeks 'working' in Rome with BJ a number of years ago and he was a truly nice guy. Also met him at the ICAREC meetings and he was always keen to offer help and advice if i needed it. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP.

Very shocked to hear the news. I was in Squad 73 with Sue whilst BJ was in 72. Did the photography course with him at Ashford in 79 whilst I was in 96 Sy then met him again years later in Berlin in 87. The next occasion was when he became PSI at 22 Coy in Handel St then after he went, seeing him again at Tiny's funeral. A professional, a joker and a good mate. I have not seen him for a few years now and didn't expect to get new of him this way. My thoughts are with his family. It's bad to go anytime but it always seems that much worse at Christmas. RIP.

Oh BJ, never did get that beer out of you, did I? Well, just leave it behind the bar mate - just make sure you keep those Spooks busy eh? God Bless.

I only knew BJ for a short time in NI - and had the pleasure of attending his dining out from the mess. Needless to say it was a laugh a second during his speech. He was a first class guy and will be missed by so many - even those with only a short aquaintance.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

To a man who has done so much for so many people.

The Fly was never quite the same without you there! BJ, I'll see you at the bar at some point.

yeah sad sad news. i was explaining to someone this morning that he was one of the few people everyone liked and would have a beer with at a do, there are not many that fall into that catagory. i have also never heard a bad word said. good to see some of the lovely comments on here. god bless. a great blike and one of a kind.

Just noticed this thread. I worked with BJ here in the UK in the mid 80's before he was posted off to Germany IIRC.

Condolences to Sue and family.

Rodney2q

The funeral took place today with a remarkable number of folk attending. A fine send off for a fine man, with some intensely moving words from the family and a sincere and hilarious tribute from a regular poster around these parts. It got fucking dusty up in the gallery.

No doubt glasses are being raised as I type this; my regrets that I had to get home and couldn't stay to see the old bugger off properly.

the family had planned to leave at 5pm. No plan survives first contact.... and they departed about 23:00.
Good to see such laughter + merriment, serving and former members. From civilian life representitives from Fortune500 and CNI also came to pay their respects.
hope all Gaelic speaking peoples got home safe

Thank you both to Glad and Sub for the above

It was indeed a fitting and moving service which only BJ and Sue could have arranged so meticuously (pardon the spelling) It had everything from his life and background from the rousing Welsh National Anthem to accompany him inside the Crematorium, that stirring Welsh hymn "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer" to the moving and heartfelt eulogies by Sue and Hannah and often funny memories given in his own inimitable way by Sub. The coffin bedecked with both the Corps and Welsh Flags, supplemented by his Cypress Green and sandy Grey Berets, reminded us of BJ's past service and what both organisations in turn had left their legacy on him. Yes I wasn't the only one who had to dry my eyes but BJ would surely have been proud looking down at the way it went.

As Glad said, the crematorium was literally packed to overflowing with both his former service colleagues and his many civilian contacts and townsfolk from Dymchurch. At least two former Directors INT CORPS and two former Deputy Directors attended perhaps confirming not only his popularity but professionalism as well.

The celebrations (I couldn't describe it as a wake) at the Ashford International Hotel went on well into the night as BJ's image followed our every moves around the Reception Hall and Bar. Sue and her parents made it to breakfast this morning I can confirm and she was so pleased with the turnout.

Thank You Glad for providing the Taxi Service for my erstwhile colleagues from SCIT

Thank you Sub for taxi-ing me to Ashford with that other old Relic !

Thank you Whiskybreath for those kind words in the Bar Last night, - I'm sure when you sober up you'll regret them.

Thank you also to my old friend from RSA for bringing me home this morning and not raping me in the Hotel Room last night. I know I'm good looking, but not that irresistable.

As Hannah said to me last night "Dad's not gone - he's just resting" How Fitting. God Bless