Fun-loving hero lived life to the full
Gazette & Herald
7th April 2005 pg 12
www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk
with thanks to Hugo Tilney
THE tears were mixed with smiles and laughter at the packed funeral of another victim of the Hercules tragedy, fun-loving Master Engineer Gary Nicholson.

At the opening of a moving tribute, his son Adrian, 22, told the congregation he would be keeping the theme as his dad would have wanted it ­ with as little seriousness as possible.

His words came after the 300 plus mourners had sung Puff the Magic Dragon ­ a song full of personal memories. "It is the first song of many that I remember dad teaching me to sing in the car," said Adrian to the collected friends, family and service personnel who filled St Andrew's Church in Wanborough on Friday.

While Adrian described his 42-year-old father, as funny, kind and intelligent he said the word that really summed him up was bright. "He had the ability to make the world that much brighter," said Adrian, who echoed the feelings of many as he described his father as a great man. He finished with the words "thank you dad, for everything".

Further tributes came from brother-in-law Richard Clipson and friend Gareth Evans. Speaking in his sermon RAF Lyneham padre, Sqn Ldr Andrew Jones said: "Many people were happy to sit on the sidelines. Gary was not, he made a contribution and lived life to the full. We all feel very lucky to have had Gary in our lives."

The final reading ­ Ode to the Fallen ­ was taken by 47 Squadron Wing Commander Mike Neville who soon after the tragic Hercules crash on January 30 described the lost men as "the most trusted and respected crew". On a sunny afternoon the congregation, some forced to stand outside the filled church, joined in repeating the final words of the ode: "We will remember them."

Six airmen carried the coffin drapped in the Union flag out of the church followed by Master Engineer Nicholson's two sons Adrian and Stuart, his partner Rachel, and other close family and friends as they made their way slowly to the graveyard. The family dog Jasper, a brown spotted Dalmatian, strained at his lead as master and family passed by. As the body of Master Engineer Nicholson was laid to rest a Hercules from Lyneham soared over in a low level flypast as a final tribute.

Speaking afterwards, Wing Commander Simon Brailsford, of the Operations Wing at RAF Lyneham, who flew with Master Engineer Nicholson on several occasions, said the funeral was a fitting tribute to a brave man who was doing a brave job. He said: "Gary was a larger than life character and consummate professional. He was a very popular person, he touched the lives of everyone here today. "He was doing his job as best as he could and he will be very sorely missed."

With special thanks to Mr Jim Ryan for allowing us to use the photograph of Gary Nicholson. We have produced a remarkable colour montage reflecting Gary, and as his mother Julie Nicholson has said "the twinkling eyes of her son Gary" The photograph illustrates Gary, his Hercules aircraft XV179 and No 47 Squadron badge. It is with deepest sympathy we have lost a remarkable genteman, full of zest and a charactor that would put a smile on everyone's face. We ask that the photograph is not taken from here without the written permission from the owner. Please respect the request from the family of the late Gary Nicholson. Thank you.