The SAAF and wider aviation community have been saddened by the loss of Brigadier General Dick Lord who passed away on the evening of Wednesday 26 October, having been ill for some time.

Although born in Johannesburg, Dick joined the Royal Navy in 1958 where he qualified as a fighter pilot. He flew Sea Venoms and Sea Vixens aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carriers Centaur, Victorious, Hermes and Ark Royal. Whilst serving in the Royal Navy, Lord did a two-year exchange tour with the US Navy, flying A-4 Skyhawks and F-4 Phantoms out of San Diego, California. It was during this posting that he was forced to eject from an A-4 Skyhawk. Other tours of duty included that of Air Warfare Instructor, flying Hunters from the naval air stations at Lossiemouth and Brawdy.

After 12 years with the Royal Navy, Lord returned to South Africa in the early 1970s and joined the SAAF (almost by accident), flying Impalas, Sabres and the Mirage III. During the Border War, he commanded 1 Squadron, flying the Mirage F1AZ. Thereafter he ran airforce operations out of Oshakati and Windhoek in the then South West Africa. Lord was commander of the Air Force Command Post in Pretoria during the successful rescue of all 581 people from the ill-fated liner Oceanos in 1991.

A highlight of his career was organising the successful flypast of 76 aircraft for Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President of South Africa in 1994. Lord retired shortly thereafter as a Brigadier (now called Brigadier General) and moved to Somerset West near Cape Town.

Lord did not rest on his laurels and much to the delight of SAAF historians and enthusiasts, he authored many books on the South African Air Force. After repeated requests, Lord published his autobiography titled From Tailhooker to Mudmover. All his books were eagerly welcomed and equally treasured.

They shall grow not old

As we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning -

We will remember them