Navy News
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Navy honours RAF-turned-Fleet Air Arm engineer Raymond on his 100th birthday
24 October 2025
Many happy returns to World War 2 veteran sailor Raymond Coole who received a visit from serving personnel to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Warrant Officer John Morrish RM and Able Seaman Aaron Hayes from the Royal Navy’s Regional Command in Bristol made the short trip to Swindon in Wiltshire – to the delight of the centenarian and his family.
WO Morrish and AB Hayes presented the veteran with a signed letter from First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins to congratulate him on his 100th Birthday.
Aged 18 Raymond actually joined the RAF initially in November 1943 and completed his training as an aircraft mechanic… a role he continued upon transferring to the Senior Service in June 1945 – two months before the wars end.
He was put to work maintaining Fleet Air Arm machines flying out of air stations HMS Sparrowhawk (Orkney) and HMS Fieldfare (Cromarty Firth).
I never thought I would see the Royal Navy again after all this time
After leaving the Service in 1946, he carried on working as an engineer with the Post Office – later British Telecom – for 42 years.
Despite suffering terribly with sea sickness during his wartime service, Raymond did take up the sport in his free time as a long-time member of Cotswold Sailing Club (he only recently gave up).
Although it’s nearly 80 years since he was demobbed and spending more time with the RAF, Raymond’s heart lies with the Naval Service.
He treasures his old kit bag with his service number embedded, and is one of the longest and most loyal subscribers to its monthly magazine, Navy News.