I first met Ian Ponsford at East Garston
village War Memorial in 2005. I was there to photograph the remembrance
service and can clearly recall the broad smile he gave me when,
as a result of being supplied with mis-information, I greeted
him as Wing Commander Ponsford. "Wing Commander", he
said " No I 'm afraid not, but I will concede that it does
have a very nice ring to it". |
 |
M |
 |
|
Ian and Cynthia's home in East Garston, was a beautifully
kept brick and flint cottage in 'The Waldrons" that was,
and indeed, still is, situated immediately opposite the War
Memorial. In 2005 Ian was there to lay the Royal British
Legion Wreath during the newly resurrected remembrance service
conducted by the then, new vicar - The Reverend Tony Cumberlidge. |
| As you will undoubtedly know,
Ian moved to Cornwall just prior to Christmas 2006 to be near
his son Guy. He died on December the 29th 2006 and his
funeral took place there. On Saturday the 30th of
June 2007 at 11.30am - a memorial service and celebration of
his life was held at All Saints' Church East Garston
- continuing afterwards at Manor Farm, courtesy of Mr.
and Mrs. Lamplough. |
 |
| The Church was
tastefully decorated with flower arrangements beautifully
crafted by Churchwarden Sally Wright.
At the express wish of Cynthia Ponsford - only cottage
garden flowers were used in the floral decorations |
|
 |
|
On the day, 250 people –
family, friends and colleagues including those from 604 Squadron
RAF and the Aircrew Association, came to East Garston Church
to commemorate the life of a much respected and highly decorated
former Spitfire Pilot of the second world war. Ian’s widow
Cynthia, his son, Guy and daughter Sophie with their families,
joined the congregation which had assembled not only from all
corners of England, but around the globe from France,
U.S.A. and Japan. |
 |
 |
 |
Julian Chadwick |
Adrienne
Ponsford |
Rodney Stubblefield |
|
The service
was conducted by The Reverend Tony Cumberlidge, with Dr. Stephen
Holmes at the organ. Readings were given by 16 year grand daughter
Adrienne Ponsford, Julian Chadwick, Gordon Thorpe and the address
by Rodney Stubblefield. |
 |
 |
Gorden Thorpe |
|
| Ian is remembered
as a modest, dignified, courteous gentleman, but also a man
of great courage who was devoted to duty. He was awarded the
D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross) towards the end of the war
and in 1957 the A.F.C. (Air Force Cross). Lord Tebbit, who was
present at the service and who spoke at the reception afterwards,
described Ian in his autobiography as - Upwardly Mobile, “tough,
funny, kind, belligerent, but not bellicose, with a character
as bristly as his moustache. He was a very masculine man, full
of - |
“press on”, yet
underneath immensely sensitive, and above all a born leader.” |
Towards the end of the memorial service,
Rev. Cumberlidge paused in prayers for the very moving and nostalgic
sound of a Spitfire aircraft, flown over the Church by Robs
Lamplough, to symbolize Ian’s last sortie. |
The congregation were then
invited very kindly by Mr and Mrs Robs Lamplough to Manor Farm
for the reception, which commenced with Robs giving a fitting
last tribute to Ian. The unforgettable sight and sound of the
growling Spitfire over the Lambourn Valley, was |
further enhanced by the carrying out of
Ian’s wish for his ashes to be scattered over the fields
of East Garston. |
Robs then landed the aircraft and brought
it to the delighted guests to examine closely, with six of Ian’s
grandchildren excitedly sitting on the wings. Ian would have
approved of that. |
Plenty of willing help available as our Spitfire heads for shelter
| From the airstrip
under ever threatening skies, the guests assembled under cover
in the wonderfully ornate barn that is part of Manor Farm.
The ensuing reception gave old friends a chance to catch up
on each other's news and to re-live times now passed.
|
|
After the war, Ian made his career in the legal profession,
qualifying as a solicitor and becoming Senior Partner in 1975
in his company which was subsequently merged with Penningtons.
He eventually retired in 2003. Ian’s other passion was
for fine wines and he was a founder member of The Solicitor’s
Wine Society.
Friends and associates would speak at various intervals during
the afternoon offering us an insight into the life and times
of their friend and colleague.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Julian Chadwick |
Norman Tebbitt |
Barclay Lawrence |
Robs Lamplough |
| Julian Chadwick
relayed stories of Ian's solicitor days while Norman Tebbitt
told us of some of the high jinks he and Ian were involved
in during the war years. Barclay Lawrence was a friend
of Ian's from the 70's when they lived in Wicken. He told us
of his friendship with Ian and of their mutual pal - Hamish
Rutherford - It would seem from Barclay's description that Hamish
was a force to be reckoned with. Robs paid tribute to
Ian by saying “We have witnessed the passing of a very
significant gentleman, but through those fine young people on
the wings |
of the Spitfire, his spirit
lives on.” |
Ian's son Guy, told us -
Pa kept up his flying until a few years ago, and never passed
up the opportunity of a trip in an interesting aircraft. He
made many flights with Mum and us children, mostly to France
visiting our many friends - and his favorite vineyards. We flew
in a Piper "Caribbean", later replaced by the Gardan
GY-80, which he shared with two other former 604 pilots.
Ian's friends remember above all else his warmth, compassion
and sense of humour. He loved a good party and threw some of
the best. |
 |
|
Guy Ponsford |
Roy Ray is a family friend of Guy and Xanthe
Ponsford, and hails from Cornwall. Roy is ex RAF. He is a St
Ives Art Community Artist - and founder of St Ives School
of Art. His greatest wish was to meet Ian and when Ian moved
to Cornwall it looked as though that wish would be fulfilled,
but sadly Illness decreed that not to be.
Roy read to a hushed audience - two poems he had specially written
for the day. One dedicated to Ian and the other for Robs
Lamplough. He kindly gave me permission to publish them here
and both are reproduced below. -Thank you Roy. |
 |
|
Roy Ray |
| DOG-FIGHTS
Dedicated to- Sqdn Ldr. Ian Ponsford
DFC AFC
1922-2006
By Roy Ray |
M |
FINAL
SORTIE
For Robs Lamplough who, made possible
this final sortie
for his friend Sqdn Ldr. Ian Ponsford
DFC AFC
By Roy Ray
|
| |
At school we fight over anything -
marbles, cigarette cards and conkers.
These are fighting times.
But today we stand in the school yard
eyes straining upwards
watching the white vapour trails
high in the pale blue sky.
Each childlike scribble
silently charting a deadly duel.
United now, we watch our heroes
the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots,
some barely out of school themselves
not able to vote but
prepared to give their short lives
for King and Country |
|
MMMMM |
Bells now sounding across green fields.
In a peaceful village church
we all have thoughts of one man.
A lifetime ago other bells rang
in times without peace.
Bells for him to scramble
across other green fields.
Now echoing those times
a Merlin engine creates the sound
of our collective pride and gratitude
A sound forever buried deep
in the psyche of a generation.
In a much loved Spitfire Mk Vlll
he now circles the village
and climbs high above an England
he helped make safe
Time for him to leave us
his final sortie completed
His spirit will soar to a final resting place
in the quiet heavens where once.
in his prime and his Spitfire
he daily faced his maker and his foe
Now, One last victory roll and eternal peace. |
Photos : Ken Tarbox
Text : Sally Wright : Guy Ponsford : Ken Tarbox
All images
appear with full parental permission where neccessary
|
absent friends
home page : main
site menu : all
saints' menu : top
of page
|
