April 11, 2020. PAUL LEAMAN "Gone West"

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Paul Leaman at age 90. Paul was a founder member of the Society and our Chairman for many years.

Paul was a hugely knowledgeable and prolific author on all matters to do with WW1 aviation. He was the membership secretary of the Essex Chapter of Cross and Cockade, which became Cross and Cockade GB in 1970. Paul ably led the Society for over twenty five years. He was our longest serving Chairman and, when he stood down in 2005, was elected a lifetime Vice-President in recognition of his many achievements. Paul’s immense contribution is honoured in the commemorative Paul Leaman Lecture, delivered ever since 2005, at our Annual General Meeting.

Hopefully, we will be able to publish his final work, a monograph on the RE8, in the not too distant future as a fitting tribute to one of the Society’s outstanding figures. He was the author of a fine monograph on the Fokker Dr.I.

Paul’s leadership, passion and dedication will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and condolences go to Christine and to their family.

he was a cornerstone. the knowledge he leaves us with is a great contribution to the hobby.

deepest sympathies to his family and friends in these dark times

I was very sad to read the announcement on the Cross & Cockade website that Paul passed away on April 8th. My sincere condolences go out to all his family and friends.

As David says - these are dark times.

Take care everyone...

All the best

Rowan

We are all very lucky that he worked to pass on his knowledge to posterity. It won't make his passing any easier, but it does ensure that his knowledge isn't lost with him.