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VIC SAVAGE AND MERV HALLAM

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It is with regret that we record the passing of two of our members, Vic Savage and Merv Hallam.    Vic, or Anthony Frederick Vicary Savage to give him his full title, a founder member of the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group, passed away on the 25th May.   A career airman, Vic joined the RAF as a Boy Entrant in 1945.   His service took him to many parts of the world in a variety of roles, in the 60’s he was a Crew Chief with Vickers Valliants.   In the late sixties he was posted to RAF Coningsby and it was at that time he became involved  with the Lincolnshire Aviation Society and the foundation of the first volunteer managed aircraft museum to open to the public in the UK.  He, along with wife, Ann, and the kids, Gail and Rob, spent many hours helping to prepare exhibits for the museum which opened to the public in 1970.   Vic retired from the air force and settled, firstly in Horncastle and then in Boston and continued his association with the Lincolnshire Aviation Society and then, when the original Lincolnshire Aviation Museum closed at Tattershall, with the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group.  Once again many hours were spent preparing  the former No 1 Communal Site, RAF Woodhall Spa, for its new role as the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre with both Vic and Ann becoming Trustees.  In addition Vic assisted Ann in her work establishing the 97 Squadron Reunion Association, an organisation he maintained his link with until the end.  Our thoughts are with Gail and Rob at this sad time.

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Mervyn (Merv) Hallam had been a member at Thorpe Camp for several years.  He passed away at Lincoln County Hospital on the 13th May after a short illness, aged 70.   Prior to joining Thorpe he had spent many years involved at RAF Scampton, initially looking after Guy Gibson VC’s dog, Nigger’s, grave, spending much of his own money providing plants and flowers each year for the benefit of visitors.   Merv was always there to show visitors around the Scampton museum, only ever asking for a donation towards his favourite charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, for which he raised enough to pay for at least two guide dogs.  Merv spent many Sunday afternoons helping at Thorpe and will be missed by many.   Our thoughts are with Merv’s wife, Vee, and son Richard at this time.

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