Tom Canning 1924-2016

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by 17thDYRCH, May 31, 2016.

  1. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    RIP Tom.
    Forthright and constant.
    This forum is a poorer place for his passing.
    All my thoughts with his family and friends at this difficult time.

    A man who served so we could speak our minds - something he, in fact, did so well.

    I raise a glass and will remember you. :poppy:
     
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  2. hutt

    hutt Member

    As with many others, condolences to his family and friends.

    It has been a great privilege to have been part of some of the threads where Tom had contributed.

    Graham
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Very sad news.
    Condolences to Toms family.
     
  4. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    RIP Tom, you will be sorely missed.
     
  5. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Tom's last post:

    05 April 2016 - 06:51 AM
    Passed my Army test - Feb 43 - never had a scratch - so far - and still drive 100 miles round trip most Sundays to church along the busiest highway in Canada - and allow the idiots to go first - it's

    safer - but getting tiring so i am thinking of getting a driver - a taxi for that time would cost about $300 - which is a lot weekly…...

    cheers


    Somewhat mundane by Tom's own standard but indicative of his resolute nature in driving himself almost to the very end.
     
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  6. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Canuck

    Aye.

    Something about dancing to your own drummer. That was Tom Canning.
     
  7. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    RIP Tom.
     
  8. Gibbo

    Gibbo Senior Member

    RIP Tom and thank you.
     
  9. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    Sorry to hear about Tom's passing.

    He was a valuable member of the forum,one of those who could pass on their personal wartime experiences from a time when the future of these islands was in jeopardy and doubt.In a non critical assessment,his opinions were never lacking and it would safe to say he was determined to hold them...never a man who would sit on the fence.

    I had a couple of private exchanges with him over the years....he was a good communicator as his posts have revealed.

    Tom's brother Larry was a renowned BBC radio sports reporter and Tom had a good interest in Aston Villa. I reminded Tom of the time when it was "Over to Larry Canning" when his brother as a BBC Sports Reporter used to report on the F.L matches for the old BBC radio 5 o'clock;Sports Report" many years ago......he had good memories of the era and the old country.

    RIP Tom....condolences to his family...his presence will be missed here.
     
    Steve Mac likes this.
  10. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    I'll miss Tom's unique voice. My only encounter with Tom resulted in a rocket sent my way that had me scrambling for cover. Quite amusing in retrospect. My condolences to his family - RIP Tom Canning.
     
    dbf likes this.
  11. bevmawer

    bevmawer Member

    Such sad news, and my condolences to Tom's family. Slowly one by one the WW2 regiments are reforming in the sky, forever keeping watch over us and keeping us safe bx
     
  12. mcan

    mcan Active Member

    Sad news, my condolences to friends and family.

    RIP Tom, you will be missed. :poppy:
     
  13. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Someone who has left a great legacy and made an impact on so many people, here and off this forum.
    For these reasons his prescence will alway be felt and remembered.

    Prayers and thoughts to his family and all those who hold him in their hearts.
     
  14. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    Thanks for that - an inspiration for me, thinking of giving up at 80!
    And thanks to Tom :)
     
  15. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Truly saddened to hear of the passing of Tom.
    This forum will miss his great input based on first hand accounts and real experience at the sharp end.
    His journey here is done now but a new one is just beginning. RIP.

    My condolences to all of his family and friends.
    Hugh
     
  16. Rosey

    Rosey Member

    So saddened to know that he has gone.
    Tom was a constant presence and the news of his passing is a shock even though expected.
    Goodnight old soldier.

    With sympathy to his family.
    Rosey
     
  17. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Another D-Day Dodger has left us to join his old tanky mates.

    Hats off.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99tCg596QSc
     
  18. Heimbrent

    Heimbrent Well-Known Member

    RIP Tom.
    Condolences to friends and family.
     
  19. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    *
    This is what I said on the Tom's Not Well thread when it was reported that he had been given the last rights...

    "When I joined the forum 5.5 years ago, Tom sent me a message saying that he recognised my avatar, and made a reference to some of the banter that used to pass between his outfit and the 'Geordies'. We exchanged a few PMs and I felt I'd arrived in a warm, comfortable place; like 'home'. Then a 'friend' invite arrived from him. He was the first person to send me a 'friend' invite and although I have never met Tom, he has always been, well, a friend; always helpful, always encouraging, always providing sensible advice. I will miss him."

    From what I have read in this thread, Tom was that 'friend' to a lot of people on this forum. I never received any ascerbic posts from him, but I do recognise that some things he posted openly could be 'direct'. Personally, I don't have a problem with direct. That was Tom and I respected the man.

    Tom first told me in April 2012 that he had COPD and that it would cause his death in the not too distant future. He mentioned that it was the same ailment that caused the death of Niccar. Even with that 'heads-up' and the 'Tom's Not Well' thread, it is still a shock that he has gone. In that exchange of PMs in April 2012, he signed off with "it's been a great life".

    It was great to know Tom. RIP Tom Canning.
     
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  20. chick42-46

    chick42-46 Senior Member

    Very, very sad news. Another member - and another Dundonian - gone.

    Condolences to Tom's family here, in Canada and everywhere else they may be. One of the first members to welcome me to the forum and always helpful, patient and a fount of knowledge. Sorely missed.
     

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