Civilian instructor Mr Michael James Davey, who had a 50-year association with Melksham’s RAF cadets, died suddenly last Friday, aged 74, after returning from a week’s holiday in Tenerife.

Known as Mike, he was born in Davenport the eldest of four children, and spent his early years moving round the country with his father, an RAF officer.

He attended a catering college in Oxford before joining the civil service, where he was assigned to RAF Melksham, where his father was in command.

After leaving the service he worked as a cook at Hullavington Army barracks and as a security guard at Trowbridge’s Shires shopping centre, before retiring aged 65.

He retained his love of the air force, becoming commanding officer of Melksham’s Air Training Corp. and working with cadets in the town right up until his death, teaching them flying, and taking them on summer camps.

He met his future wife Pauline when they both performed with the Melksham Comedy Club. As the tallest couple in the club they were regularly paired together, and were married at St Katharine’s Church in Holt in 1971.

They had a daughter Caroline, and two grandchildren, Archie and Isla.

He was a keen gardener and following his retirement he developed an interest in genealogy, but still dedicated much of his time to the town’s cadet force. He and his wife were regular exam invigilators at Melksham Oak Community School, where he would often recognise cadets he had known.

His family remember him as a kind-hearted man who loved the RAF and working with young people.

The funeral service will take place on Friday, October 15, at 10.30am at St Michael’s Church.

Donations in his memory will be given to the RAF Benevolent Fund.