Man Killed in Iraq was the Light of My Life. www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk 24th February 2005 The fiancee of Sergeant Bob O'Connor, the Fazeley man killed in a military plane crash in Iraq, has paid a moving tribute to the man she was due to marry. Sgt O'Connor owned a boat at Fazeley Marina together with his fiancee Corinne Knight. He had spoken to Corinne, who was at home on their boat, just before the ill-fated RAF Hercules took off. In an open letter to the Herald, reproduced in full below, Corinne speaks of the 'light of her life.'

"Whilst I have been, and am still, unable to handle the media - the pain being too raw - I have been heartened by the sensitivity with which this tragedy has been handled by the Herald.

"In particular your editorial of February 10 'A matter of life and death'. How very true. Sadly, whatever you write about people, readers never know the person. Bob was a very private man, kind and gentle. For many years he was a committed instructor and later coach, teaching children/youngsters between five and 24 years the sport of ten pin bowling. He travelled all over the country taking them to tournaments and always had the time to listen to the trials and tribulations that teenagers bring with them.

"In this voluntary role he included the duties of secretary to the British Tenpin Bowling Instructors Federation, guided by the then British coach John Williams. Unfortunately, his role in the RAF prevented him from continuing, but his interest remained.

"He loved his motorbike, wanting to be a motorbike instructor on leaving the RAF. His great desire to try and create a greater safety awareness between riders and car drivers.

"He loved his job - his 'second family' - and would eventually have given 28 years of his life to it.

"Often my life has been lonely with him away 50 to 80 per cent of the year, but never so alone. He served his country without complaint or question. Maybe others should question, because the gap he has left, as with all his friends who died, can never be filled or the future ever be the same again. However, in their place, more dedicated young men will go and face the same uncertainties. My heart goes out to them and their families and I pray they all come home safely. Bob will always be my unsung hero, the light in my life that will never go out. My love.

"Yours in deep sorrow and wonderful memories."
Corinne Knight.

Spread The Word About Lyneham Village Online! Simply add you friend's email address in the input box below and send this website address to them. It will open up your email software, so you can add any comments about the page.