It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Normandy Veteran Alan McQuillan at the age of 102. Alan was a member of RAF Servicing Commando, landing on Gold Beach on D Day plus one. His tasks in Normandy were to help establish a forward operating airfield, participate in its defence and to service, fuel and arm flights of aircraft. Alan had a pin-sharp recollection of the his service with the RAF, was a fascinating story teller and had a wonderful sense of humour. Alan’s war did not end in Normandy. When his tasks there were completed he was shipped via India to the Far East and finished the war serving in Java.
We were honoured with Alan’s presence last year for our pilgrimage visit to Normandy for the D Day 80 commemorations, where he had the opportunity to meet the King and share his story.. We were delighted to be able to take him to visit the area where he established the first of the forward airfields. He recalled that the first group of planes to arrive were Spitfires, flown by Canadians, but with a British Wing Commander. Later last year, Alan joined us on a visit to RAF Digby in Lincolnshire where, in conversation, he discovered that the aircraft he remembered were, at that time, stationed at RAF Digby. Later that day we were hosted by the RAF Red Arrows Display Team.
Alan gave a huge amount in his lifetime, served his country well and will now be sorely missed by all.
