|
|
HOME ABOUT US DIARY LOST SOULS MESSAGE BOARD CONTACT LIST BERLIN AIRLIFT REUNIONS THE WEATHER 6TH AERIAL PORT HERITAGE CENTRE SITES GHOSTS CROFT SCOTIA NORTH SEALAND STRETTON POTTED HISTORY ATTACHED UNITS MEMBERS PAGE PX SHOP US ARMY LINKS BOB HOPE ARCHIVE |
|
|
BURTONWOOD |
Updated 11th February 2008 |
|
|
ASSOCIATION |
|
|
JAMES
R (BOB) MODDRELL PRESIDENT
BURTONWOOD ASSOCIATION 1995 – 2002 FLIGHT
TEST, BAD#1, AUG 43 - AUG 45 Bob
sadly passed away on January 24, 2008 at Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehab
at 306 Hornbeck, Mena, AR. 71953 where he had been living with his 106
year old mother! Bob
had suffered a series of strokes which left him unable to get about or
move his extremities. He had
suffered bad hips and knees but refused to ever have them fixed in case he
could not drive to visit his Mum and eventually she lived longer than him. Bob
spent his post military time in North Little Rock, AK and hosted our
reunion there many years ago. Everyone
who met Bob will have been warmed by his wonderful smile and interest in
everyone. He was a ‘doer’
and got on with things. He
guided the Association for six years before passing the reins over to Jim
Ruel in 2002. Bob was a regular attender at all reunions even when getting
around was difficult and always offered a friendly and helpful hand to
everyone. Bob
served on Flight Test at BAD#1 during WWII under Colonel Walter W
‘Dewey’ Ott and like all Flight Test personnel he stayed extremely
loyal to him to the end. Flight
test was gruelling with a massive demand to get the aircraft tested and
flown out to the operational squadrons as quickly as possible.
Although Bob was ground crew he flew regularly on the test hops to
monitor the engines and other equipment to ensure everything functioned as
it should and normally it did. A great testament to the engineers at
Burtonwood who were moving hundreds of aircraft through the base each
week, 24 hours a day seven days a week, no weekend stops. At
the end of the war the ground crews were flown around Germany by
Burtonwood based aircraft to see the damage done by Allied bombing and all
were staggered by what they saw. Bob
was adopted by a local Warrington family and courted a local girl but
returned to the US
to marry and settle down. He gained a senior position with one of the
large US parcel companies and made a good career there. Bob
played a major contribution to the success of the RAF Burtonwood
Association, we toast him for his time and fine guidance.
Thanks BOB, rest in peace knowing that we honour you and you will
never be forgotten. Aldon
Ferguson
Bob
Moddrell with Lillian Manning and Norma Singer at Biloxi in 2002
|
|
Feedback or items for submission for the web site please email:
|
|
The contents on this site are the property of the Burtonwood Association. You are welcome to download material provided it is not used elsewhere without prior permission |
