Yesterday we said a final farwell to Squadron Leader Allan Scott DFM who sadly and unexpectedly passed away a short time ago; a truly wonderful man for so many reasons and someone I am truly honoured to have been able to call a friend.
Due to current restrictions numbers of those attending the South Oxfordshire Crematorium were limited to 30; without such restrictions there would have been literally hundreds in attendance such was the respect and high regard for Allan amongst his many friends in both civilian life and the Royal Air Force.
However, the limited numbers did bring a different dimension to the service making it feel incredibly intimate and personal.
Immediately prior to the service it was both incredibly emotional and spectacular to watch as a Spitfire appeared overhead for over 5 minutes performing Victory Rolls in his honour…
As the service, held at the South Oxfordshire Crematorium, commenced Allan’s casket adorned in a Union Flag was carried by RAF personnel in Number 1s along with Standard-Bearers ahead.
The service conducted by The Reverend Matthew Stevens (Padre, RAF Benson) was so incredibly fitting and with utmost respect.
The eulogy read by RAF Gulf War Veteran, Presenter and Author John Nichol was wonderfully uplifiting as he recounted Allan’s Military endeavours and personal experiences on time spent in his company; that both Anne and myself along with Andrew and Sue Perkins were mentioned as dear friends to Allan was so incredibly thoughtful of Allan’s son Murray.
Can’t begin to say how much it meant to me that the portrait I took of Allan for the 3945 Portraits Project was on the Order of Service.
The night before I stayed up until the early hours because of an overwhelming need to create another of my model Aircraft pictures but this one solely with Allan in my mind. The Spitifre used here was a gift from my Mom for my recent 49th Birthday…
The final edit I have this morning printed along with Allan’s portrait and taken to a friend of mine who owns a picture framing shop so that I can have both side by side, framed and hang on a wall in our new home.
If you missed it, here’s Allan’s last television appearance which aired on the BBC One Show on Monday 7th September 2020; the evening before he passed.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Blue Skies Dear Friend x