Sqn Ldr C Downes

Christophe, known as Chris, joined the RAF in 1973 as an apprentice dental technician. He reached the rank of Ch Tech and did tours in the UK, as well as RAF(H) Wegberg, during the Cold War. He was attached to the Royal Navy twice, during his time as a dental technician. Chris was part of the implementation team setting up Tactical Medical Wing (TMW) at RAF Lyneham.

He was commissioned in 1999 at the ripe old age of 42, but still managed to keep up with the younger cadets on his squadron; as a Medical Support branch officer. Chris did operational tours in Iraq (Op Telic) and Afghanistan at Nato International Security Assistance Force HQ (ISAF HQ CMED). He did a tour as the adjutant at 612 auxiliary squadron in RAF Leuchars and enjoyed this tour with fond memories.

Chris’s final tour before retiring was at Whittington Barracks tri-service HQ. His father was also a Sqn Ldr and served in bomber command during the Second World War.

He met his wife Fiona, who was also in the RAF. She was a dental nurse. They married in October 1983 and were blessed with a son, Alistair and a daughter, Gemma.

He was a published author and an artist. Some of his paintings can be found hanging in Sergeants/Officers messes around the country.

He is sadly missed every day. 28/07/57 – 30/03/23

Sqn Ldr C Downes - Colour picture with his wife

Recent posts

Last walk in memory of Sgt Micheal Cook.

At precisely 4:15 pm today, 80 years ago, Michael and his courageous crew members – R. Amey, F. Livesey, D. McCray, D. Kennedy, G. Lane, and R. Shackleton – departed RAF Skellingthorpe together, their target being Munich. Today, I am proud to share that I have completed a personal goal I set on January 1st […]

Read More...

Corporal Lin Price

Corporal Lin Price was born in Wales and joined the WAAF in November 1941. After completing her training at No. 1 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Depot in Bridgnorth, she spent time with No 2 MT Company from January 1942 until March 1942 when she was posted to RAF Waddington. While based at RAF Waddington, Lin […]

Read More...

Noel Pearce and Douglas Box: From Bomber Command to Best Friends to Grandparents

Noel Pearce and Douglas Box Sergeant Douglas Charles Box 19. 10. 1922.  RAFVR 1578987. Mid Upper Gunner, Stirling, EE-878 AS-P 75 (New Zealand) Squadron based at Mepal Cambridgeshire Flight details: Shot down in Berlin raid 31.8.1943. Hit by anti aircraft fire and then attacked by a JU88. Crashed in Ahlberg, Germany with the loss of […]

Read More...