Devastated to learn of Paul's untimely passing. I met Paul on September 13th 1979, during the first week of our apprenticeship at British Aerospace, Filton. His physical presence was a little scary at first, however, once we started to reassemble a Hercules radial aero engine together, we established a great friendship that lasted many years until I moved to Lancashire in the late '90s, and we lost touch. I remember him being awarded 'Apprentice of the Year' in 1980, and we went to the tool shop in Southmead to spend our vouchers (I was second - he was always better than me at everything!) As teenagers, we enjoyed many an evening razzing about Long Ashton on our mopeds (my SS50, and his AP50), and clubbing / drinking underage at 'Tiffany's' on the downs. A few hazy memories of riotous nights out in Bath with our other apprentice pals also come to mind, including being comprehensively out-numbered on a rockers dancefloor at one night-club, all chanting 'we are the mods' and getting away with it... He was always one of the the most caring, considerate and trustworthy people I have ever had the pleasure to know. A real friend, no-matter what.
I will be playing The Stranglers 'Rattus Norvegicus' very loud in the workshop this weekend
Debbie and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Susie, Tom, Jamie and Frankie - Paul was absolutely one of the very, very best, and I will treasure his memory always
Hugh Peregrine Davies
26/05/2016
