Celebration of Alec's Life
There will be a celebration of Alec's life on Wednesday 30th March at 12pm at West Row Baptist Chapel - it would be lovely to see you if you are able to make it. Burial service to take place prior to the celebration at 11am at Mildenhall Cemetery.
Any questions please feel free to contact Michelle
West Row Baptist Church, Chapel Road, West Row, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 8PA
Tributes
Leave a tributeAlec, you will be missed. RIP mate.
It was a pleasure knowing you Alec and your memories will live with me forever.
God Bless and R.I.P my friend.
Then of course there was the trip to Cechoslvakia in 1990. The first air show open to the west at Protejov. Myself. CJ, Post and a fourth person who escapes my memory set off for this in I think Postie's Grenada. Upon arrival at the Cech/German border post announces he had ommitted to get a visa! He was of course politely told to find away around this or have a nice time in Germany whilst we took his car!
Eventually he convinced the border guards that we were in transit so they gave him a transit visa. Alas on the way back through the same crossing we met the same guard. At one point it looked as though another trip across Cechoslovakia was on the cards so that we could exit the country at another location. Then a wallet appeared, a brief handshake and we were on our way.
A laconic, "Well, thats solved" was the only comment. Never a dull moment when away with post. R.I.P old friend.
You will be very much missed by us all.
Gem x
make it. Burial service with take place at 11am at Mildenhall Cemetary.
Any question please feel free to contact me Michelle
I could never forget the trips around the UK, Europe and the States in the 70's. Of practicing hand brake turns in his For Poplar in a field round the back of Heyford until the exhaust pipe fell off. Of course he had to continue to Alconbury and the Hall and insisted we store the exhaust pipe between us on the back seat in case we got stopped by the Police..
Describing someone as larger than life is an overused cliché.
But in Alec's case it is spot on. R.I.P.
Certainly one of a kind. RIP. I have many MILSLIDES slides in my collection - happy days.
Was there when 70RPL expired in a cloud of steam at Six Mile Bottom whilst hurtling down the old A11, on a Saturday night, Alec had his best suit in the boot for the Postmen's ball he was attending that evening, we were running late off course, another 'number' had pitched up at the Hall, which had to be got-great times/great memories......RIP
I am at a loss with his passing.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, friend. you are in God's company now.
RIP
We will all miss you post.
I know the journey you are on now mate is the most important to you.
God Bless.
Mick.
At some stage he became very religious, so hope God is taking care of him now. RIP Alec.
I still chuckle at some of his / our escapades. Like Recife in Brazil. Staying on base we were invited to use the Mess swimming pool. He didn't have a swimming costume with him but, as there was nobody else around he said 'sod it' and went 'au natural'.
You will be missed 'Postie'.
Robbie
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Bob Archer's Memories
I first met Alec in June 1966, when he was already a "living legend," with many rumours circulating about his exploits. One anecdote suggested that he travelled France visiting many civilian airfields (which at the time abounded), and was determined to "log" over a thousand French Jodels (the Jodel being a small, economical light aircraft, which was mass produced for the home market, as well as exports.)
Everyone who met Alec could not fail to be embraced by his strong personality, exuberance at everything he tackled, and energy levels that left contemporaries in a wrecked wake. All his friends and associates have "tales to tell," and the more outlandish the account, the greater the interest to groups of the like minded. Many tales were associated with his vehicles, of which there were many. Like the new Fiat which he collected from the dealer on Friday, and took back on Monday ready for the first 1,500 mile service. Alec had driven to Madrid and back for an aviation event. The Ford Popular "three gear wonder," Ford Escort Mexico, numerous clapped out vans, most of which served as a hotel and kitchen during sales events overseas at weekends. Rarely was a vehicle traded-in, as most were worn out, or beyond economical repair. The vast trade stall at Mildenhall's yearly Air Fete, which was housed in an artic" trailer, dominated the trade area. He ordered a truck load of Coca Cola, which he decided would help him to make a "killing" at one Air Fete, and which the base embargoed as being outside of his permitted sales area. Years later, with many of the cans long past their sell-by-date, and some with rust showing, were still being sold to a thirsty public at small aviation events - Alec claiming to have eventually made a killing selling then at a premium on hot days.
He even cheated death once before, when he collapsed at Stansted Airport, when queuing to take a family holiday. A quick thinking para-medic saved his life, and Alec gradually bounced back, albeit not quite the man he was before. I am happy to have known Alec, and more importantly joyful to have been able to call him a friend. Alec left a huge legacy, with a void impossible to fill. All who knew him have fond memories, which time will not degrade.