FUNERAL FOR RAF CRASH VICTIM
Red Arrows engineer laid to rest after Valley tragedy:
HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to say a final farewell to an RAF engineer who died in a Red Arrows crash on Anglesey.
Corporal Jonathan Bayliss was killed when the Hawk T1 aircraft he was flying in crashed at RAF Valley on March 20.
Around 150 people, including his family, friends and fellow Red Arrow team members and RAF officers, gathered at Lincoln Cathedral for his funeral.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in a final salute to the dedicated and proud 41-year-old engineer, who had dreamed of being in the RAF for most of his life.
Two Typhoon jets from 41 Squad- ron of RAF Coningsby – a unit where Corporal Bayliss had worked during his career – performed a flypast before the service began.
There was also a guard of honour as pallbearers carried Corporal Bayliss’ coffin, which was draped with a Union flag and adorned with white flowers, into the cathedral.
The service was led by the Reverend (Squadron Leader) Rachel Cook, Royal Air Force, and featured hymns, prayers and poetry and a number of tributes were paid by his colleagues. The Last Post was also sounded. Following the service, the Red Arrows tweeted: “The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team would like to thank everyone who has sent condolence messages following this tragic loss.”
Corporal Bayliss had been a part of the Red Arrows team since 2016 and had supported successful tours to the Far East, Middle East and Europe.
The pilot of the aircraft was Red 3 – Flight Lieutenant David Stark, who managed to eject from the aircraft moments before it hit the ground.
He has since been discharged from hospital.