Page 31 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 103

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #103 August 2021 31

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Thanks You For Your Service:

Senior Aircraftsman Neil Kielly

By Casey Leger

“I came to Canada in

December 1980,” says Royal
Air Force veteran Neil Kielly. “I
had a Canadian passport as my
father was Canadian. I started
with the Coast Guard training
as a Marine Radio Operator
but ended up working in the air
traffic control environment with
Transport Canada. I worked in
various roles, but most of this
time as a pseudo pilot.” Kielly
retired in July of last year due to
COVID.

Before he came to Canada,
Neil Kielly swore allegiance
to the Crown in Edinburgh,
Scotland, on October 31, 1972.
“I joined at 17 with a lot of
pressure from my father, who
was ex RAF and exBomber

Command. It was the best thing I
could have done at the time, and
I do not regret the time spent,”
he explains. “I had joined as a
telegraphist. My basic training
was a short but brutal 6 weeks at
RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire. Photo Submitted
From there I was posted to No.1
in Dhofar, which was a Combat northern England. “I left the I developed, the structure, and
Telecommunications School at
Zone. The SAS was there, an RAF in October 1975 but also the fun we had. The challenges
Cosford.”
RAF regiment, army artillery, worked for the Ministry of came in many forms. The tear
Kielly was posted to and the Iranian Republican Defense in my hometown from gas chamber, basic training, the
Oxfordshire and was seconded Guard. I completed my tour in 1977 until 1980 in a telecom telecom course, the loneliness
to Ministry of Defense London March 1975, and in the short capacity,” he explains. when overseas. Having good
before volunteering to go time I served I had a lot of
overseas. “I volunteered hoping varied experiences and received Kielly enjoyed his time in the friends was very important,
for exotic Singapore or even a General Service Medal with services. “It is the camaraderie but I think it made me a better
Hong Kong, but alas I was sent a Dhofar cluster for my time in that you experience,” he says. “I person.”
to an island in the Persian Gulf Salalah.” am still in touch with the guys Although he is no longer
with 600 guys: Masirah. I was I served with in Oman and in involved with the military, Kielly
seconded to RAFDET Salalah Kielly decided to leave the training. I liked the friendships is a member of the Legion.
military and return home to