Roll of Honour

Tom Purves

Tom died suddenly on 8 May 2000. He was 66 years old. He was born at Broxburn in Scotland and educated at Boroughmuir in Edinburgh.

Tom joined 9 Parachute Squadron in 1955 as one of the few National Servicemen to be accepted by the Squadron at that time. He subsequently went to Cyprus and took part in the Suez operation as a member of HQ Troop. Although he served with the Squadron for only a short time, like all other members he always looked back on his days with the unit with pride and nostalgia.

In 1958 he went to Canada with the intention of becoming a 'Smoke jumper', which he successfully did, staying with the service for eight years. On his return to England in 1966 he went back to his former employment in the print business and at the same time took his City and Guilds examinations in Graphics Technology at Leeds University. In 1969 he became the senior lecturer in Graphics at the Manchester Polytechnic. His hobbies included photography, computers and video. He was also a keen churchman where he spent many hours for the good of his church. Tom will be best remembered for his book "The 9th" a history of the Squadron from 1787 to 1960. The work took him four years to complete, and is a wonderful tribute to the Squadron.

To his wife Iris, daughter Elaine, son Stephen and four grandsons, the members of the Association extend their most sincere condolences.