Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Legion stalwart dies just months after marrying
Tim Woods was a stalwart of the Royal British Legion in Canterbury where his dedication, kindness and sense of humour earned him both great respect and many friends.
He died aged 71 on December 6 after a long battle with cancer, just eight months after marrying his long-term partner, Colonel (Retd) Jane Carey-harris. The father-of two, who lived in Nunnery Fields, was a former chairman of the Canterbury branch of the Legion and had a dynamic approach to raising its profile and membership. He joined the RAF aged just 15 in 1963 as 51st Entry Nursing Attendant, where his contemporaries remember him fondly as “a great guy who got on with everyone”.
He went on to train as a nurse at Ely Hospital. But after qualifying, he developed a back injury and was given the option of leaving the RAF or re-badging. He chose the latter and transferred to the Medical Secretarial Branch. He was later awarded a British Empire Medal for his service.
Tim went on to graduate from RAF College Cranwell as a Flying Officer in the Medical Secretarial Branch in 1981. He returned to Cranwell as a Flt Lt Training Officer and was eventually appointed the first Officer Commanding of Tactical Medical Wing, based at RAF Lyneham. It was a role he loved and was proud to help its vision and establish a new unit. He loved playing sport in the RAF, especially football, hockey, cricket and rugby, but suffered a far few injuries along the way. He met Jane at RAF Fairford in 1996.
She fondly recalls him inviting her for a “romantic walk under the galaxy”, thinking he meant the stars, only to discover it was under a Galaxy aircraft. Tim left the RAF in 2000 when he became the foundation clerk to an organisation in the City of London which went on to become the Worshipful Company of International Bankers.
After moving to Canterbury in 2012, Tim and Jane both joined the Canterbury Royal British Legion and he also became a keen member of Canterbury Bowls Club.
On taking over the chairmanship of the Legion, Tim threw himself into the role, setting the executive challenging targets for increasing the membership, finding a new venue for the monthly meetings and helping initiate a regular social programme. He held the post until 2017.
Tim was very proud of his service career and was disappointed that due to illness he was no longer able to help with this year’s Poppy Appeal or march on Remembrance Day. But Jane says she will wear his medals with pride at next years’s parade in Canterbury. Paying tribute to him, Legion honorary president Gerry Ferrett said: “Tim was a staunch and active supporter who believed sincerely in the aims of the charity.
“A popular and very approachable man with a terrific sense of humour, he also became actively involved in the annual Poppy Appeal.
“We have lost a tremendously likeable member - we will certainly miss him.”
Tim’s funeral service will be held at 11.30am at St Mary’s Church, Conyer near Sittingbourne, on Tuesday, January 7. It will be followed by a burial at Deerton Natural Burial Ground. A collection will be made on the day to be shared between the Canterbury branch of the Royal British Legion and Crossroads Care Kent.