Sad News. Clive Hardiman. Funeral on 04/01/2012 at Bromyard.

[Hugh Thompson]

This is the text of an e mail received from Milson airstrip. I can do no better than copy it in full for the benefit of LAA members. Sad message reads as follows:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news at this time of the year, but if you hadn't already heard, Clive Hardiman went to the great hangar in the sky just before Christmas.
Although not unexpected due to the nature of his cancer, it was very sudden, and well before time.
A true gent, we here at Milson especially, will miss his cheery smile, ready wit, and wealth of knowledge. A great loss to the aviation community.

For those who remember him from his time at Halfpenny Green, and Shobdon, and who would like to pay tribute, the funeral will be held at St Peter's Church, Bromyard, at 11.30am, next Wednesday, 4th January 2012.
I should be grateful if you could spread the word to those who may have known him.

Regards, Chris Jones.

Forwarded on by Hugh Thompson.

[D M Johnstone]

Clive was a great supporter of Home built aircraft, and he was a great help to me in my first build, a Mk4 Avid.
I subsequently helped Clive on many occasions, ending up doing many of his CAA Star Annual Test flights, putting together his Jet Provost, delivering Tiger Moths by road for the film the English Patient.

We will all miss "Grand Old Clive" a nickname he got for always replying to the question "How much will it cost" be answering "A Grand"

David Johnstone Shobdon Strut

[Hugh Thompson]

This tribute was sent to me by Dave Welch. I thought it should be passed on as it sums up Clive's helpfulness very well. It reads:

Odd isn't it? I was just wondering how he was just a few hours ago.

I was in touch with him a few months ago about Tiger Moth spare parts, and he told me then that he had terminal cancer. Yet another airframe bloke who has succumbed to it - cancer seems to be part of the job, in view of the number of airframe bashers I know/have known who had it, have it, or recovered from it. Carbon Tet, Zinc Chromate, MEK,Trike - breath it in or it soaks in through your skin, and I reckon its exposure to all that grot that causes it.

I'll try to get up for the send off, but I doubt if I can make it because it would mean a very early start from here and I now have my own health problem which slows me down somewhat in the mornings.

Clive was a great bloke and a great DH enthusiast. We spent many an hour shooting the breeze about Tiger Moths. Generous too - one time he was quite happy to just let me hop into G-AOIM and fly her. Even pushed her out of the hangar and got her ready. Trouble was the crosswind was too much so I stayed at home so never got round to flying her..

Not the right time of the year for it, but if only someone could fly a Tiger Moth over the Church for him.