BOCNE Photos

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Trafalgar Night at the BOCNE

Commander Wiliam Bullard III presents a memento from a cannon from USS Constitution to BOCNE President Tim Hunt at the Annual Trafalgar Night Dinner on 17 October 2008.

Two Long Serving Members of the BOCNE Pass Away

Anthony "Tony" R. Carrigan

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Tony Carrigan on April 4th, 2007.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Boston (Old North Church) 193 Salem Street, Boston, which is in the North End, on Saturday, May 5th 2007 at 9 am. Parking is available at the North End Parking Garage at Hull Street at 600 Commercial Avenue. A reception, with light refreshments, will follow the service at the Union Club, 8 Park Street.

The wearing of medals and decorations is appropriate at this event.

Tony Carrigan was born in Durham in 1933. At school, he played cricket, rugby, tennis and ran cross country. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1952 and served at RAF Habbaniya (AHQ Iraq Command) until 1954. After his service, he came to the US, joined the Banta Company, a printing firm, and lived in Wisconsin. In 1961 he was re-assigned to Cambridge, Mass., becoming a vice-president of the firm in 1977. He retired in 1991.

In 1973, he married Jan Kenney and they have three children, Ashley, Deidre and Anthony. He had a life-long love of the theatre, starting as a young boy and continuing with many amateur roles over the years. More recently, he did some voice coaching and worked in a few commercial productions and voice-overs requiring his special voice asset.

Tony joined the British Officer’s Club in 1994 and was elected Honorary Secretary one year later. He has filled this role with great distinction for the past 12 years. In this position he has, quite literally, held the Club together by his written communications to members, guests and prospective members and by arranging all our functions …. duties that he carried on until the very last despite his deteriorating health. In many respects, he has been the predominant name and face of the British Officer’s Club during this period. In 2006 he was elected a Warden of the Club, an honour given to a very few who have provided such outstanding service.

We hope you will be able to come and honour Tony’s memory on May 5th.

The Executive Committee.

please click here to read the full obituary for Tony Carrigan from the Boston Globe

Tony Carrigan, (centre) has a quiet word with Geoff Hall (left) as Peter Howard-Johnson (right) looks on.

Albert Day

The BOCNE is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Albert Day, RCAF, a long serving member of the British Officers Club of New England on 15th March, 2007 in St. Louis, MO.

For anyone who knew him, Al Day was a remarkable man in so many ways. Sergeant Albert DAY RCAF 10263, was a member of 77 Squadron and was shot down in enemy territory in World War II. After being hidden by members of the resistance, Albert would eventually reach Spain via the Comet line on Christmas Day, 1941.

Albert could not leave Brussels earlier in December 1941 as he had double pneumonia. Madame Jeanne Monnier in Colonel Remy's book 'Reseau Comete' relates the story. "Baron Donny ran everywhere searching for a doctor, but I saw him return empty handed. He told me it was impossible to find anyone. I then told him I would find someone. I would get my own doctor who lived on the other side of the street. . . so I telephoned Dr Raymond Kraekels. . . . he took care of Albert, visiting him twice each day. . . . he saved him. ."

Albert Day remembered the actual story differently. At Madame Duporque-Monnier house he met a pharmacist called Leo who worked at the main hospital in Brussels. When Albert was ill with bronchial-pneumonia, and Baron Donny was unable to find a doctor, Leo contacted a Doctor Lardot at the hospital who was able to obtain the drugs to treat Albert.

Albert Day died at his home in St.Louis, Missouri on the 15th March 2007. A great supporter of the Royal Air Force Escaping Society and recently the Escape Lines Memorial Society.

Al was a regular and popular member of the BOCNE and for many years was a regular fixture at the club a well as organizing a semi-annual get together at the RAF Club in London for BOCNE members and friends who lived, worked, or were visiting abroad.

Al's presence, vitality, wit, and stories were appreciated by all those who were fortunatel enough to come into contact with him. His gregarious spirit made him an unforgettable character and the contributions he made to the BOCNE with his time and energy are far too great to list here. A great servant of the BOCNE, we remember a friend who has made "the last flight" with fondness and affection.

A memorial service will take place, appropriately, considering the affectionate nickname of "D-Day" bestowed upon him by his many friends and admirers, on June 6th 2007 at the Martha Mary Chapel in Sudbury, Massachusetts. A recption to follow will be held at Sudbury's historic Wayside Inn.

-- Christopher Hall
(with appreciation from http://home.clara.net/clinchy/neeball.htm