Royal Air Force Wittering and the A4 Force Elements are saddened to announce the passing of Warrant Officer David (Dave) Dundas, Squadron Warrant Officer for No 504 (County of Nottingham) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron. The thoughts and prayers of everyone on the Squadron, at the Station and across the A4 Force, are with Mr Dundas’ family and friends at this difficult time.
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Dave joined the RAF in 1975 as a Mechanical Transport Driver and remained in Trade Group 6 for the remainder of his long and distinguished career. During his 37 years of regular service, he was posted to St. Athan, Cottesmore, Coningsby and High Wycombe, among many others. He saw overseas service with postings to Germany, Cyprus, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and Italy. Dave also successfully completed Operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2005 Mr Dundas was posted to No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron at RAF Wittering; here his extraordinary professionalism and commitment to the Service was acknowledged with the award of the Meritorious Service Medal in January 2007. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer and continued to serve at RAF Wittering as the No 85 (Expeditionary Logistics) Wing Warrant Officer.
Warrant Officer Dundas retired from Regular Service in April 2012 but returned to RAF Wittering in 2014 when he was selected to become the full-time Reserve Squadron Warrant Officer on 504 (County of Nottingham) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron.
In this role Mr Dundas remained a pivotal member of the Royal Air Force Wittering and A4 Force Elements family, where he continued to make a profound difference to the lives of his colleagues, their families and the local community, particularly through his work with the Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess Committee and as an active Liaison Officer for the Royal Air Force Association. Hugely respected by all those who served with him, his professionalism and experience, coupled with his generous nature and friendly demeanour, made him one of best known and respected figures across the entire Mechanical Transport trade.
Flight Sergeant Darren (Taff) Lewis is the Mechanical Transport Officer at RAF Wittering (Station MT Flight). He said: “I was lucky to have known Dave for over 15 years; he was a friend, colleague, leader and above all a gentleman. He had a talent to inspire with the confidence to make anything seem possible and worthwhile. He was one of the best examples to all of us in the Trade, with a true passion for the RAF. He was a true comrade who will be sadly missed but never forgotten.”
Squadron Leader Andy Ham, Officer Commanding 504 Squadron said: “Dave was, in so many ways, the heart of this squadron. It’s impossible for us to single out just one of his qualities because he brought so many to the job. We had worked together for eight years, and the culture of this squadron is due almost entirely to his influence and wisdom. We are almost lost for words, this is an unbelievable loss and our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Wing Commander Andy Valentine, Officer Commanding Reserve Logistic Support Wing, said: “I have known Mr Dundas for many years. He was among the most professional of colleagues, and a credit to the Royal Air Force and the driver trade. To those around him, Dave was a positive influence, and a force for good. His advice to the chain of command and the support he gave to his colleagues could always be relied upon. He will be deeply missed by all of us who knew him.”
Wing Commander Jez Case is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. He said: “The thoughts of all of the RAF Wittering family are with Dave’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of a much loved father, husband, friend, colleague and mentor. The contribution that Mr Dundas has made to the Royal Air Force, our Station and its wider community will remain with us; his commitment to serving his country over the course of 46 years is an example to us all; he will not be forgotten.”
Group Captain Nick Huntley, Commanding Officer of the RAF A4 Force Elements, of which 504 Squadron is a part said: “Mr Dundas was simply a giant of the Mechanical Transport trade and wider Logistics profession, trusted and respected by all those who had the pleasure to serve with him during his long and celebrated career. He will leave an indelible mark through the impression that he made upon generations of future leaders at all levels; he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”
