David Thomas Hugh Lake 23 April 1936 – 27 December 2024 

David was born in Bangor, North Wales, in 1936. His secondary school was Cheltenham College, where he became deputy head boy in his final year. In Cadet force, he had a ten minute solo “Trip” in a craft called a “PRIMARY Glider”! He went to Jesus College, Oxford for three years, studying modern languages. During this time he joined the University Air Squadron, with a view to joining the RAF for national service. Which still existed at that time. He had some health problems during this time, and lost one year – with the result that he only logged 100 hours. Notwithstanding this, he went solo on the first summer camp, in only 7.5 hours – on Chipmunks. Prior to call-up, he went for an interview with a Wingco at Air Ministry. In answer to this man’s question, “I suppose you want to fly?”, David said “Yes! I joined the Air Squadron and am due to read German at Oxford”. The – “You have to sign on for five years”, came the reply. “Otherwise, I can offer you two years as an Erk, or three years short-service commission in the Education Branch – provided you pass the OCTU.” David took the latter! Following OCTU at Jerby, where he passed out number two, he went to RAF Uxbridge, where teaching skills, which in civvy life take up to three years, are acquired by a bright RAF officer in three weeks! At the end of this high-pressure training, those attending were asked if they had any preferences for posting. As he had read German at Oxford, and was keen to do some flying, he asked for Second TAF in Germany. He was posted to RAF Credenhill in Hereford – which is further from a runway than ANY other RAF station in UK! He spent his next two-and-a-half years teaching general subjects to Boy Entrants for admin and catering trades. He also became the Station Entertainment Officer and Officer’s Mess Entertainments Member. He developed piano-playing skills, and produced several variety shows at the station. After some years in the Paper Industry in Lancashire, he and his wife Ann emigrated to South Africa in 1968. While practicing as a Personnel Consultant, he met one Richard Havard, who was Chairman of the RAF Officers Club of Johannesburg, who introduced him to the club. In due course, Havard persuaded him to join the Committee, and he eventually became Chairman. After three years, he stood down (The Constitution laid down three years as the maximum for somebody to hold this office!) His successor, Ivan Spring, sadly murdered, and Stan Smith and Jon Adams, who at the time was Hon Sec and Hon Treas, suggested that David return to the post, and he agreed. He served for just another year, and then handed over to David Mackinnon-Little. His main contribution during these two spells as Chairman were the broadening of the Associate Membership category to include non-Commonwealth Air Force Officers, and later, the introduction of the Affiliate Membership category. Without these changes, it is questionable whether the RAFOC would still exist today. In addition, David formed a cabaret group, called “Memory Lane”, which entertained several Ladies Nights for the club. David and Ann “Emigrated” to Howick, in KZN, in 2012, but remained a Vice Chairman until the present day.