Obituary - Squadron Leader Laurence David Hooton B Ed (Hons) RAFVR(T) Rtd

1st August 1932 – 20th June 2012

South and East Midlands Wing are sad to announce the Death of Squadron Leader “Laurie” Hooton, who served the Air Training Corps tirelessly for over 50 years as Squadron Officer, Squadron Commander, Wing Staff Officer , Civilian Instructor and Civilian Committee Member.   He was much respected and will be greatly missed.

Laurie joined the Corps as a Pilot Officer at 1359 (Beeston) Squadron in July 1959 having served in the Royal Air Force for three years from 1950. Promoted to Flying Officer in 1960, Laurie continued at 1359 Squadron and, after completing his Squadron Commanders Course at Royal Air Force White Waltham, took command as a Flight Lieutenant in May 1964.   This was a position he held until 1986 when he was promoted to Squadron Leader on appointment as a Wing Staff Officer on the old East Midlands Wing (now part of South and East Midlands and Trent Wings).

At the age of 60 years, Laurie’s VR(T) service ended. Immediately taking on the new role of Civilian Instructor, Laurie moved to 348 (Ilkeston) Squadron serving two years in that role before retiring in 1994.   In retirement, he joined the Civilian Committee of his old Beeston Squadron.

He will, no doubt, be fondly remembered by many who served in the East Midlands Wing as being the Catering Officer at the annual Wing Proteus Camp where he was responsible for the famed “Proteus Pie”.

In his other life, Laurie was a Teacher at Bramcote Hills Comprehensive School where some of his pupils may well have been his cadets, the school being within the Beeston area.

 He was also very much at home on the water being a Senior Instructor with the Royal Yacht Association.

Laurie married Dorothy in August 1957.   Sadly, she was killed in a road traffic accident several years ago.   Laurie leaves two daughters, Allie and Sharon and a son, Peter.