Pilot’s death prompts RAFA appeal

Tuesday 2nd February 2010, 2:56PM GMT.

Maureen St George

JERSEY’S Royal Air Forces Association has urged former servicemen to make contact after a former pilot died alone and lay undiscovered for up to three weeks.

Maureen St George, the organisation’s honorary welfare officer, said that no ex-servicemen should be alone during their retirement and encouraged them to join the association, which meets every month.

She issued the appeal after former Second World War pilot John Bruce died in his flat in St Helier without any neighbour noticing or any family member raising the alarm.

An inquest last week heard that the 85-year-old, who was one of the first Islanders to fly for the now defunct Jersey Airlines, was only discovered when neighbours noticed a strong smell coming from the flat.

Any former RAF serviceman or woman should phone Mrs St George on 733336.

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