A GENTLEMAN who is known by many as a ‘walking encyclopaedia’ on the Sea King helicopter, has retired after nearly 50 years of service. One of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose’s most experienced instructors, Mr Ian Lewis, has walked through the gates of the Helston Air Station for the last time after giving almost 50 years of invaluable service to the Royal Navy and the Civil Service.

Ian Lewis originally joined the Royal Navy in 1967 as a Mechanical Artificer before converting to an Electrical Artificer in 1985. During his 31 years, he saw much frontline experience including serving 166 consecutive days at sea during the Falklands Conflict of 1982. He also served two tours on HMS Invincible and another on HMS Ark Royal supporting operations in Bosnia. However, it was his unparalleled affinity with the intricacies of the Sea King helicopter that made him stand out from the crowd. Having found a penchant for instructing young Engineer Technicians, Ian left the Royal Navy in 1998 and was employed by the Civil Servicer as a Technical Instructor at the Engineering Training School of RNAS Culdrose.

In 2002 he moved to the Flying Training School within the Air Station as the Chief Ground Instructor where he became responsible for training all Royal Navy aircrew in the technical aspects of the Sea King helicopter. Lieutenant Commander Chris Barber, who is in charge of training at Culdrose said: “As the undoubted specialist in Sea King electrics, Ian’s encyclopaedic knowledge of its complexities has been called upon on numerous occasions to see the ‘old girl’ serviceable and support a myriad of front line operations to this day. Ian will be sorely missed by his ‘shipmates’ who can only wish him and his lovely wife Mary every happiness as he takes a well earned break from the Fleet Air Arm.”

Ian lives in Falmouth with his wife Mary, and many from the area will probably better recognise him (and his distinctive laugh) from his favourite pastime of kayaking up and down the River Fal.

His work colleagues presented him with a gift in the Senior Rates Mess at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. At the presentation, an emotional Ian said: “It is so nice to see so many friends here to send me off. I am honoured and humbled. I have had a wonderful time working at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and have lots of very fond memories. During my time in the Navy and the Civil Service, I have served the majority of my time at Culdrose, when I wasn’t at sea of course!”