It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of our Vice President, Lincoln Lee.
Lincoln served as a bomber pilot in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia and then moved on through Italy.
On his return to the UK, while based in Bristol, he met his wife Helen who was nursing with the QARNC. He knew instantly that she was the girl he was going to marry. As he sometimes remarked, he was unusual in aviation "married for 60 years AND to the same woman!"
He was demobbed in 1946. During the next few years he flew Yorks(adapted Lancasters)to South America . In 1949 the airline was taken over by BOAC and he continued flying Argonauts. He then made the conversion to Britannias, took part in their proving flights in Africa, and assisted in the aircraft's first transatlantic crossing. He subsequently flew Comets and eventually Boeing 707's.
He and Helen bought 'Lower Lodge', at the foot of Berry Hill in 1947. Neil was born in 1948 and Nick two years later. In 1951 the family moved to Maidenhead where they had bought a large Victorian house called "The Croft" on Ray Park Road where they lived for thirteen years. Dougal was born in 1959.
In the preceding years Lincoln had written articles on aviation in numerous publications. In 1962 his successful first book "Three Dimensioned Darkness" was published. Other books followed.
In 1964, the family moved to "Berinus", which they built in an old walled garden in Taplow.
In 1965, Lincoln gave up flying because of eyesight problems. The loss of his flying licence meant the beginning of a new career. In May 1965 he started working for the technical directorate of IATA carrying responsibility for North America and the North Atlantic.
He and Helen involved themselves deeply in life in the village. He became a school governor, and after years of active involvement, became President of the Preservation Society. During this time he regularly wrote informative amusing articles known as ‘Lincoln’s Corner’ for the newsletter.
Lincoln was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, neighbour, and friend to many. He was wise, considerate, thoughtful, erudite and witty. We all feel very privileged to have known him. He will be greatly missed.
Eva Lipman
