RIP Tom Neil

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Member for

14 years 3 months

Posts: 1,205

Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar just posted the below:

"It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC AFC AE. Though sadly he could never attend the veterans days held at the hangar, he knew and cared deeply for the work carried out by the Spitfire Restoration Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd. A true warrior of this country and of Malta. I personally saw him and spoke to him at the yearly Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey when he often escorted the RAF 'Scroll of Honour' in company with serving Officers to the high altar. A true gentleman, a great warrior. We will never forget. RIP."

Thanks for everything, and RIP.

Original post

Member for

17 years 10 months

Posts: 3,778

How sad RIP Sir I hope you are have a nice catch up with the others. A true hero of our time.

Member for

18 years 3 months

Posts: 2,025

Indeed a true gent, always came over as a thoroughly decent chap, unless as I suspect you were in front of him, in a continental type during 1940!

Member for

19 years 4 months

Posts: 814

This is very sad news.
I was only thinking about Tom on Tuesday during the televised RAF 100 celebrations and looking for him amongst the guests .
I was very lucky to meet Tom several times over the years and thoroughly recommend his books .

Rest in Peace

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

I had a vision of Wing Co. Tom Neil sitting at the long table in Valhalla joshing with the likes of Galland, Molders and Wick.

Thank you for all that you did during those dark but exciting days.

Member for

5 years 9 months

Posts: 128

So long Sir. A truly grateful nation will never forget you.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 18,353

Blue skies, Tom.

Member for

14 years 10 months

Posts: 1,020

A real hero. RIP

Member for

20 years

Posts: 4,561

Sad news, Blue Skies sir. His books are an excellent read too.

TT

Member for

12 years 8 months

Posts: 271

R.I.P. sir. Tom Neil was such a lovely gentleman. It is heartbreaking news. The Few are getting fewer. I hope that there is an afterlife and that Tom is now raising a glass with fellow pilots like Percy Burton, James Nicholson and Dennis Parnall.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,000

Very sad news, I never had the pleasure of meeting him but he always came across so well on TV and media, a proper old school hero. A very full life well lived.

RIP, and many thanks.

How few of The Few are still with us?

Member for

17 years 11 months

Posts: 2,024

RIP.
Hero.

Member for

18 years 5 months

Posts: 761

Thank you, Sir, and all your comrades.

Member for

19 years 2 months

Posts: 5,196

Very sad. When we unveiled the memorial to J B Nicolson VC at Boscombe Down, Tom Ginger Neil came and unveiled it. He was a 249 Sqn Flt Cdr. This was 1990. He gave his time so freely and was very friendly to yours truly. Met him since on various occasions . Always cheery with a fine smile. In 1998 at the 30th anniversary of the BoBFilm, he gave a true account of the Battle that was compelling. His book Gunbutton to Fire is one of my favourite BoB first hand accounts. Bless you sir, Godspeed and hopes that you, your comrades and dear wife are reunited.

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 652

There was a fine obituary in the Telegraph today..what a true hero. And a fine author too, all his books are must reads. Like all of the Few he will be sadly missed and proudly remembered.

Blue Skies Sir - and Thank You.

Richard

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 923

Echoing all of the above, thank you Sir, blue skies...

regards,
jack...

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Member for

11 years 2 months

Posts: 3,650

RIP Sir many thanks for your service for my today.

Geoff.

Member for

20 years 6 months

Posts: 7,025

:( R I P Brave man and THANK YOU .