A FAMILY has paid tribute to a RAF veteran and former 'printer's devil' who ensured the Rhyl Journal was always delivered safely.
Philip Charles Hawkins, best known as Phil, died on March 23 at Glan Clwyd Hospital; his family were by his side.
Phil was described as a loyal, dedicated and "very private family man".
He leaves behind his daughter Alison, grandson Matthew, and son-in-law Mark.
A lifelong Rhyl resident, Phil started his career aged 16 in 1949 at the Rhyl Journal as an apprentice or 'printer's devil'.
Once, when delivering parcels of the newspaper on a handcart to the Crosville Bus Station, he was caught up in a mock air raid when the police exploded canisters of tear gas in the High Street.
Alison said: "Colleagues recalled that, despite the shock, and with streaming eyes, my dad showed true grit and managed to ensure the Journals’ safe delivery.
"His dedication to duty continued into his service with the RAF, where at age 19 he underwent bomber aircrew training. His entire course was told to re-muster as the RAF didn’t need as many aircrews by that stage of the war and he was sent to RAF Valley to work in supply and logistics and spent time delivering fuel to the USAAF aircraft that were being delivered in and out of RAF Valley at the time.
"He recalled good relations between the RAF and USAAF on the base and enjoyed seeing Glenn Miller and his orchestra playing one of their last concerts.
"He also remembered seeing famous actors David Niven (an officer in the British Army) and Clark Gable (USAAF aircrew) as they passed through."
Phil was recently invited to visit the airbase at Valley, where Squadron Leader Dave Williams said: “It is a rare honour to meet veterans from World War Two, and even rarer to meet those who were here at RAF Valley.
"It was great to show Phil around, and we were able to re-kindle a few memories for him.
"I mentioned to Phil that his forced re-mustering from aircrew to a ground job probably saved his life, given the casualty rate in Bomber Command. During World War Two, Bomber Command aircrew had a 50/50 chance of being killed, wounded or taken prisoner. In fact, they had the highest casualty rate of any branch of the services. It turned out that Phil was very well aware of this; his cousin being killed serving as bomber aircrew with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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"That really brought home the sacrifice of that entire generation, and the debt we owe to them all.”
After being demobbed, Phil returned to the Rhyl Journal, where he oversaw and trained others on the workings of the heavy-duty printing machinery.
He became the last “Father of the Chapel” (union shop steward) at the closure and relocation of the Journal in 1969.
Alison said: "Rather than leaving his beloved Rhyl, Phil started his own successful business, Crescent Press, in Crescent Road, which he ran for nearly 30 years before retiring to care for his wife Olwyn."
Phil’s lifelong involvement with the RAF saw him become a founder member of the Rhyl and Abergele branch of the RAFA in 1947, where he held the roles of chairman over 27 years. He was president for eight years, secretary, Wings appeal officer, life president and North Wales area secretary for more 40 years, and Standard Bearer well into his late 80s.
Alison added: "My dad became a much loved and familiar figure in his later years and could be seen daily riding his bike along the prom from Splash Point to the Harbour until his 93rd year.
"Dad was loved by everyone who met him. He never complained or asked for anything, which made it difficult to care for him as he aged, as I had to guess what he needed to help him live independently in his own bungalow in Spruce Avenue right to the end of his life.
"He was loyal, loving, lovable and dependable."
The family will be holding a celebration for Phil.
Anyone wishing to attend or would like to send tributes, stories and photographs, can email Alison on abird073@aol.com
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