Live ChatLOCAL VETERAN REMEMBERS THE FALLEN THIS ARMISTICE DAY
12 November 2020
Ivor Faulconer, Lieutenant Fleet Air Arm, joined the Fleet Air Arm in July 1940, aged 19 years old. He trained on aircraft such as the Miles Magister, Hawker Hind and Hart. After his initial training at Luton, Netheravon and St. Vincent, he was transferred to Sea Planes and trained on the amphibious aircraft, The Walrus.
In 1941, Ivor was posted to the Battleship HMS George V, flying The Walrus. He was stationed near the Orkney Islands and Scapa Flow on anti-submarine patrols protecting the convoys. In 1943, one of his major roles was searching for the renowned German Battleship, ‘The Tirpitz’.
Ivor has been awarded a number of medals for his service, including:
- War Medal 1939-1945
- Atlantic Star
- Arctic Star
- Defence Medal
- Victory Medal
In addition, Ivor was awarded three medals by the Russian State, one being the Patriotic Medal. The Patriotic Medal was awarded by the Russian Ambassador on the behest of President Putin in June 2020.
He retired from the Royal Navy in 1946 and went on to work on the London Stock Exchange for 20 years before moving to the Isle of Wight and then to rural Dorset with his wife, Anne.
Ivor was due to attend the Remembrance Service at RNAS Yeovilton on Wednesday 11th November, where he was to read the Kohima. Unfortunately, the service has now been cancelled. SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity helped Ivor film his respects to share them with RNAS Yeovilton and the wider community.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity in Dorset has previously supported Ivor, such as providing transport for him to attend events and appointments when he became ill and stopped driving.