13 July 2009

Captain John Fairey M.A. D.L. 1935-2009

Captain John Fairey who lived at Bossington near Stockbridge, was killed in a flying accident over Market Rasen, Lincolnshire on Wednesday July 8th.

John Fairey was born in 1935 in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. He was educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Cambridge. After National Service and University he joined Cambrian Airways as a pilot in the 1960's and continued to fly with them after they were taken over by BOAC (later British Airways).

John Fairey left to go to Rhodesia in 1978 and flew with the Rhodesian Air Force until hostilities ceased in 1980. On his return to England, he flew for Channel Express until he reached retirement at 65.

He was Chairman of the Development Trust of the Museum of Army Flying, was on the Board at Middle Wallop, and was heavily involved with the Fleet Air Army Museum at Yeovil.

John was the second son of Sir Richard Fairey, the founder of the Fairey Aviation Company.

He was married first to Anne Downward and secondly to Beverley Fairey (nee Halford), his widow. He was predeceased by three sons, Richard, James and Alexander, and survived by his daughter, Sarah Jane, grandson Alexander,

For further information contact: Alison Brierly: alison@flying-museum.org.uk.