While this message has been passed to the membership of the Association on 16 September 2023, it hadn't been made available generally.

Dave Lowry, our Museums Member, received the following message (from Liz Clarke) early this morning (16/9/23):


"I am writing to you with the sad but expected news that Pat Gallanders passed away yesterday (15/9/23).

I am aware that on a happier note Pat's wishes re her pictures could be honoured.

In due course, Pat will be buried alongside her parents in Salhouse but her wish was to have a simple blessing rather than a full funeral. I think she preferred the idea that friends and former colleagues might remember her happily over a meal, ideally with alcohol involved.

My mind is in a bit of a whirlwind at the moment so I will try not to forget anyone who has been in contact but please feel free to share this news with your network.

Kind regards

Liz"

It is comforting to know that she will be returning to Salhouse to be with her parents, who - for many years - she cared for in their later years

This morning, it was pointed out to me that the announcement had been published in the Daily Telegraph:

"GALLANDERS

Wing Commander Patricia Ann. Died on 15th September 2023, aged 77 years, at her home in Pembrokeshire. She bore her illness with her usual courage and determination. Funeral to be held in Salhouse, Norfolk. All enquiries to Gordon Barber Funeral Directors. Tel: 01603 702460."

My earliest memory of Pat is at RAF Bawdsey, although she was not an instructor on our course, but she had the bedroom next to the WRAF Sitting Room so we were very circumspect when using it!  However, the story of her Mini being moved into the Manor House by a previous course (forgotten the number but it was a notorious one made up of aircrew) was still circulating.  My last memory was of her at Strike Command and visiting her cottage in Naphill.
Since retiring from the RAF, Pat maintained a private life first in Norfolk and latterly in Wales.  I was in regular contact with her, through the annual exchange of Christmas cards, until COVID19 and increasing postage meant that we lost contact.  I googled Pat to find out if she had survived COVID and found many posts about her dog going missing on Snowdonia and letters to the local council about speeding in her village.  She took no prisoners and was as direct as always.
I became aware of her final illness through an email to Dave Lowry from a member of the Air Defence Radar Museum (ADRM) who had been contacted by one of her Welsh friends as Pat wished to bequeath her copy of an Alfie Bass Cartoon and a drawing of RAF Bawdsey Manor to the ADRM.  This has now happened, and pictures of the donation will be published to the RAFFCA members in due course.
Her friends asked that the information about her illness and hospitalisation not be circulated widely as they were already overwhelmed and not able to cope with the additional burden of responding to calls and emails.
Pat also made clear her wish for a simple blessing rather than a full funeral at Salhouse. I think she preferred the idea that friends and former colleagues might remember her happily over a meal, ideally with alcohol involved. I’m sure that the RAFFCA can oblige!