Family plane donation to honour former flyer

8:30am Monday 28th January 2008

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PLANS to restore part of Pembroke Dock's proud aviation history received a welcome boost this week when the sons of a former RAF pilot donated £500 to the town's Sunderland Trust.

Rob, Andy and Mike Edmundson raised £350 in memory of dad Joe, who flew Sunderlands from Pembroke Dock, while regulars at the former pilot's favourite watering hole added a further £150 to the pot.

Rob, Andy and Mike, along with First and Last landlord Richard Maynard, this week presented the cheque for £500 to Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust project manager John Evans.

Joe flew many aircraft during his time in the RAF, but Sunderlands held a special place in his heart.

When Joe died in November, aged 85, his family knew exactly what to do with donations made in his memory.

Family and friends raised £350, and when regulars at Joe's favourite pub, the First and Last at Waterloo, heard about the scheme, they joined in the fundraising.

With Richard's help, the regulars soon organised darts, pool and quiz competitions. In no time, another £150 was added to the total.

Rob said: "Dad flew Sunderlands from RAF Pembroke Dock and retired here in the 1970s.

"For him, the Sunderland was always the best.

"He didn't speak much of his time in the RAF but we all knew how fond he was of Sunderlands."

Andy said: "We are very pleased that donations in his memory will help towards the project to return a Sunderland to Pembroke Dock.

"We as a family are most grateful to Richard and the patrons of the First and Last for their wonderful support."

The Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust aims to recover a Mark I Sunderland flying boat which sank in the Milford Haven waterway during World War Two and restore it to its former glory.

The Sunderland would then go on permanent display in the town.