It is with so much sadness that I announce that Captain Ian Heslop RFA(Retd), crossed the bar on the 16th September 2014 in the East Lancs Hospice, Blackburn Lancashire HERE for their Website and HERE for a map.
His funeral will be held at Skipton Crematorium on Thursday 25 September at 11:00, HERE for their website and HERE for a map. This will be followed by refreshments at Eaves Hall Clitheroe HERE for their website and HERE for a map. Old shipmates will be very welcome.
Family flowers only but donations in Ian’s memory should, if desired, be made to the East Lancashire Hospice or the RNLI.
The arrangements for the funeral are being made by Brian Price & Son Funeral Directors, HERE for their website and HERE for a map.
I have no more information at the moment so please watch out for the Sitreps as events unfold.
My thanks to Mike Nurse for the information.
On behalf of the RFA Association I extend our sincere condolences to his widow Helen, children Sue and Tim and 5 grandchildren.
If you have a remembrance of Ian please email it to be at deputy.chairman@rfaa.uk and I will post them on this page.
Pat Thompson writes :- I sailed with Ian in RFA Olwen in 1978, he was Choff and I was First Off. He was a good bloke to sail with. My condolences to his family.
Ian Moores writes:- Sailed with Capt Heslop ’84-’85 in Pearleaf. Funniest sight ever when he got thrown across the bridge by the SF on exercise in the Gulf of Mexico. Have recounted the tale on many occasion and it still makes me laugh each time. RIP Captain.
Diana J Hill writes:-
To the Deputy Chairman, RFA Association, UK.
I came across this site by accident, whilst researching information for the South Australian Branch of Navy League of Australia.
It was a shock to read of the very sad news of Captain Ian Heslop, RFA (Retd) .
Christmas 1975 in Adelaide, was an amazing time with the arrival of 5 Naval vessels from the UK: HMS Ajax & Plymouth, RFAs Gold Rover (causing a sensation bringing the officers’ wives), Tabatness and either Resurgence/Resurgent into port for a fortnight! Chief Officer Ian Heslop RFA was aboard Tarbatness as leader of the Strawberry Mooses (their official emblem re-invented!) and they wore the strawberry moose t-shirts to prove it. They were a great team, with very lively senses humour.
Our Navy League branch members were delighted to meet Ian and his mates at an official cocktail party and later at Navy League celebrations during this very rare visit.
We are all deeply saddened by his passing and wish to extend deepest sympathy to his wife, Mrs Helen Heslop and family.
Yours sincerely,
Diana J. HIll
Vice President
Navy League of Australia (SA) Branch
3 Faulkner Street
Modbury South Australia 5092
Telephone: (08) 8265-0937
Mobile: 0408-690-038