It is with so much sadness that I report that Senior Quartermaster Anthony (Frenchie) Vidler, RFA(Retd). (Member number (0363) Crossed the Bar on Monday 2nd March 2020 aged 80, after a long battle with illness.
The arrangements for his funeral are quite complicated. According to the Funeral Directors, the Co-op at their Callington Branch (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) Frenchie will be given a simple cremation (No service or mourners) at either Bodmin Crematorium (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) or Exeter Crematorium (HERE for their website and HERE for a map), the date is yet to be settled. This is because his sister Michaella lives in France and due to Corona Virus travel restrictions will be unable to attend. She is however hoping to have a Memorial Service, in Plymouth, venue date and time to be arranged in due course when travel restrictions will be lifted, the Funeral Directors have been realy helpful and have agreed to keep me informed of developments
On behalf of the RFA Association I offer our sincere condolences to Michaella, his sister and NOK. Frenchie never married so there are no children.
As usual I will sitrep this page as the situation clarifies or whenever I receive any new information.
If you have any remembrances of Frenchie please email it to me at captain.pat@rfaa.uk and I will post them on this page. Alternatively you can post to our facebook page “RFA Crossed the Bar”. I am also looking for photographs of Frenchie for this piece and the RFA Association Gallery and Archive, if you have one please email it to me.
23 April 1930 – 2 March 2020