FALLEN MEMBERS
We will remember them.....
Martin Hellyar (Subman)
25/01/25
At 17 years of age, Martin joined the forces with his cousin Liz. Martin went into the Royal Navy and Liz into the WRAC. They still kept in touch and met up on their way home. Eventually Martin joined a diesel class Nuclear submarine and enjoyed his service. In 1981 his submarine was sent to the South Atlantic and the crew welded in before departing Portsmouth. He was unaware of the details of the sailing, however later discovered they were heading for the Falklands conflict.
Due to no-one knowing where they'd gone, in due course each set of parents or loved ones were sent a letter stating that they were missing in action. The Submarine set a record for the longest underwater sailing.
At the end of the war, whilst everyone else returned to a hero's welcome, the submarine returned in the shadow of darkness and the crew unwelded out. No-one was allowed to attend to witness the return.
Prior to leaving the Royal Navy, he had risen to the rank of Petty Officer (Engineer).
Martin quickly found employment with Geest Line (part of the British Merchant Navy) on the banana boats travelling between Barry, the Caribbean and West Indies, where he rose to Chief Engineer. Missing Barry and family, Martin left to take up the full time post of Chief Engineer at the Barry Lifeboat Station, where he served for 15 years. Following two separate on call injuries, he eventually was medically discharged from service. In a bid to try and keep himself active, he volunteered at the Barry Coast Watch Station, where his expertise with tidal waters, currents and being able to plot course of direction would hold him in good stead and assist the lifeboats in recovering people in distress.
In his last few years his cousin, got him involved with the AFBVC, were he attended planned stalled events and even an annual event, which lead him to being patched at the Boyos Bash ‘24.
In January ‘25, at his first AGM he would unfortunately suffer a massive cardiac arrest, which he would not survive.
Martin will always figure greatly in the hearts and minds of his family and friends, but without question in that of his cousin.
Fair winds and safe waters…..RIP Subman
Andy Trezise (Zisey) 08/01/2024
Andy (Zisey) AFBVC member and Kernow Crew served with the First Battalion The Light Infantry, and was one of the survivors of the Ballygawley bus bomb in 1988 aged 22, on his first tour of Northern Ireland. Andy lived in St Just, Cornwall, with his partner Jane and three dogs. In early January 2024, Andy suffered a heart attack on route to West Cornwall Hospital and passed away with his partner by his side. He was a keen member of the AFBVC for six years and an avid fundraiser during that time. Rest in Peace Brother, you will be sadly missed.
Andy Hughes (Gannet)
25/10/2023
Gannet left school and joined the Army Catering Corps. He'd been cooking for his younger siblings for years and wanted to leave home. Gannet loved his time in the Catering Corps and just loved cooking. After he left the Army he opened up a pub restaurant in Darlington which he found to be a bit too rough for him so he gave it up and got a job cooking in The Roundel, Thornaby. He worked there for many years. After leaving the Roundel he tried his hand at other stuff such as working on the railway and becoming a DJ for a couple of years but he went back to cooking. He was happy around food.
In 2014 he got himself a Honda Black Bird, a bike that had been on his wish list for decades. He came to the Crown Bike Night, recognised Janice and Geoff and got reacquainted. Gannet started becoming a regular at bike nights and showed interest in the AFB. From that day he and Rainman were joined at the hip. But as always with Gannet every trip out was planned around the food. Gannet made friends with the rest of the Cohorts from the off.
He never missed an event until he got poorly. Sadly, he was ill for a long time and didn't recover. Gannet was a respected and loved part of the Cohorts and the AFBVC. The pictures auctioned at the 2024 AGM were all from Gannet, the auction raised over £700. RIP brother.
Joanne Chappell (Muppet) 15/08/2023
Joanne (Muppet) Chappell Was a longstanding member of the Armed Forces Bikers Veterans Charity, she was a rep for Yorkshire but stood down when she moved to Lancashire to be with her partner Coco, where she continued to help with raising money on the stall and she became very well known and loved by all that had the pleasure of meeting her. She also took the position of Treasurer until ill health made it impossible. Joanne was a fighter and she fought till the end, she passed away peacefully in her sleep with her Partner and close family at her side. Joanne was a popular person and she’ll be sadly missed by all that knew her.
Tony Malcolm (Crewman)
20/06/2023
Tony Malcolm, an Army Veteran, a former Grant Manager, Trustee, Regional Rep for Yorkshire and a long-standing member of the Armed Forces Bikers Veterans Charity (AFBVC). He stood down as a Grant Manager (Trustee) due to poor health and was practically housebound for the last few years. I visited him many times, as the chairman and his friend, a 2.5 hours round trip, to keep him company, put the world to rights and keep him up-to-date with the AFBVC. He always hoped to resume his Grant Manager duties, but we both agreed before the AGM in Jan 2023 that this was increasingly unlikely. His achievements were recognised and he was awarded the 10th Anniversary Award for outstanding contribution to our charity, an award which was well deserved. Tony was at the 'coal face' of the AFBVC and as such helped many veterans and their dependents in charitable need. He will be missed, stand down Tony (Crewman) Malcolm, you have done your duty.
Ron Perkins (Rasher)
date unknown 2023
He was a much respected member of the Wreckers and attended just about all events. He will be sorely missed by all of us especially Wolfie, as they had become quite close friends. He would always pop in for a brew and Wolfie and the Wreckers will miss him greatly. He was a man of a certain character very strong willed, and yet would listen and have his own opinion.
He had cancer for all of the time that we knew him - because of it he should have died many years ago. But Rasher was a fighter and fought it to the end. He was a solitary man and never liked anyone knowing his business. He had a private funeral so we have no dates.
Thank you for your service bro forever in our hearts.
Mike Waters (Oggy)
07/06/2022
Oggy served in the RAF. He joined the AFB in the October 2011 and took over in the early days as Regional Rep of the South West Region, increasing the scope of the Region to cover the whole of the Devon And Cornwall area. The Region became known for an incredible record of fund raising which continues to this day.
Oggy became a much loved and invaluable member of the AFB. Whilst he was quite badly disabled, this never stopped him from performing his duties in the AFB. These efforts saw him awarded a Life Membership.
He passed away after having treatment for cancer on his lymph nodes and had a reaction to the chemotherapy which caused his demise.
A gentleman of a certain character, he could be stubborn and yet caring, and he will remain in our hearts forever. He will be sadly missed by all of his brothers and sisters in the AFB as we were his family.
Rest in peace brother, we will see you at the bar.
Paul Barrowclough (Ratchet)
07/04/2022
Ratchet was a veteran of the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with the 1st Battalion Queens Regiment.
Within the AFB, he was a key member of the South East Horde for many years, acting as was one of the Rep’s Thegns (Deputies) because of his can do attitude, wise counsel and organisational skills.
One of his proudest AFB moments was when he led the veterans marching at the first Lee Rigby Memorial Ride. He would run this event for the next three years on the AFB’s behalf, along with the Ring of Red for the Ride of Respect.
Closer to home he could be found extracting money from people at collections and could always be found enforcing (with humour) entrance fees to the TGINF and Coastal Battery events, and with his why not attitude it was always a entertaining time.
His funeral took place on 27th April 2022 and was attended by members of the AFB and other motorcycle groups. He will be sadly missed by Ben, his family, and members of the Horde and wider AFB. Gone but never forgotten.
Steve Witney (Chaos)
01/02/2022
Sadly our good friend and member Chaos has passed away after being put into palliative care on Friday. Chaos has been a member of the AFB for the last six years and has attended various fundraisers and a couple of the Lee Rigby runs. Just over two years ago Steve was diagnosed with a heart condition which meant he had to retire from bike couriering. Shortly after he and Minx (Maria) decided to leave Sutton and move down to Hastings so they would have a bigger support network.
On Friday he and Maria decided that as the drugs had stopped working for him he was going to let nature take it’s course, he sent this message to his AFB family.
From Chaos , Been great to be part of this mad nutty caring bunch of nutters, wish it could have been a little longer, Minx and I have decided to carry on the fun and have a few Sunday Breakfasts at our place (ticket owners only) and to have a Memorial BBQ for Chaos date to be chosen by Minx. Come on the Horde ut ut ut !!!).
Minx was at his side when he peacefully passed away, thankfully the hospital allowed his beloved cat Harley visit him the day before he passed so he could enjoy one last cuddle.
As its such early days.
Dave Knights (Cowboy)
08/11/2021
Having had heart problems for over 40 years Cowboy was taken from us whilst working on his old ’65 Triumph 650 Bonneville. He was an AFB member for 5 years having supported us for years previously, and helping raise thousands of pounds along the way. He was 80 years old at his passing, and still riding in all weathers.
Her was a larger than life itself character and a cowboy not only in name, but living the life as well. No one will forget him at one of our Xmas parties fully dressed, complete with six shooters. The Whistlestop Café in Teignmouth was his favourite place. At breakfast meets his first words were “ere we did all right at the weekend din us eh."
His funeral took place on Tuesday 7th December and was attended by many members of the AFB and other motorcycle groups.
He leaves behind Rosie and Mark who we know will miss him dearly as will the Wreckers, and all members of the AFB who had the privilege of meeting him.
Mike Rowe (Pops)
24/04/2021
Pops was a patched Veteran Member of the AFB for 5 years, in the South West Region (the Wreckers).
After being admitted to hospital on Christmas Day, 2020 suffering from TB, in mid April he was transferred to a care home and passed away in his sleep on the morning of the 24th April at the age of 76. His funeral took place on Wednesday 12th May and was attended by many members of the AFB.
Pops attended our bike shows, often setting out fire points courtesy of Argos fire for whom he worked, and helping to raise much-needed funds for veterans in need. The whole family became very close friends of the AFB.
He will be sorely missed by his family and his AFB brothers and sisters.
Geoff Carney (Rainman) 15/06/2019
A patched Charity Rider for the Armed Forces Bikers (AFB) Veterans Charity, who helped raise thousands of pounds for veterans and their families in charitable need and made a real difference to their lives. He died on Saturday morning 15th June 2019 in the arms of his partner Janice and daughter Staci in hospital.
He did his duty for his country and by helping his fellow veterans. We, the AFB, will remember him as a friend, brother biker and fellow veteran.
Paula Kelland (Nursey) 25/12/2017
Paula (Nursey) was a member of the AFBVC Wreckers southwest region, she lived in Cornwall with partner Shrapnel also AFBVC and three children. She was an avid supporter and fundraiser for the charity and was very popular and loved by all members whom she met. Sadly, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. Although a brain tumour was removed, the diagnosis was terminal as she passed away with her family at her side on Christmas Day. She is sadly missed by all.
