Godfrey Neilson

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with sadness that we report the death of Lt Col Ian Godfrey Neilson DFC LdH TD on 20 Jan 17 aged 98 (4 Dec 18 – 20 Jan 17) after a period of illness. Ian will be known by many for his service with the Air Observation Post Squadrons. His book, “Air OP – Action Remembered (The Air Observation Post 1940 – 1957) is a reference that many of us have read and turn to for information. Ian took a TA Commission in the RA in 1938. He attended No 3 AOP Course in 1940 and initially went to 651 (AOP) Squadron before serving with 652 (AOP) Squadron from 1942 to 1944. He arrived by landing craft at Sword Beach in Normandy on 6 Jun 44 to set up the advance party for his squadron, which was operating over the beachhead from D+2. It was during these operations that he was awarded his DFC and for which he subsequently received the Legion d’Honneure. He served as GSO2 AOP in HQ RA 21 AG in 1944/45 and was seconded as the CO of a War Crime’s Investigation Unit in Germany in 1945/46. In the post war years he maintained his TA links and was awarded the TD, going on to command 666 (AOP) Sqn between 1948 and 1953. In 1994 he was appointed as Chairman of the Air Observation Post Officers’ Association and remained active in that role until his death. Our thoughts are with his wife Alison, his son, Hamish, daughter, Catherine Kellett, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and his many comrades, friends and colleagues.