Jack Richards – Memorial bench, Fakenham

Glad, Jack’s widow sat on the newly unveiled bench in Fakenham (image from edp.co.uk.)

Thanks to Kevin for bring to my attention the unveiling of a memorial seat to Jack Richards in Fakenham. The following text is from edp24.co.uk:

A bench has been erected in Fakenham in honour of haulage entrepreneur Jack Richards, whose yellow lorries are recognisable across the country.

The bench, which features an image of a lorry with a plaque, is next to the traffic lights on Highfield Road opposite the junction with Queens Road.

His son Anthony Richards said it was a fitting tribute to his father, who founded haulage firm Jack Richards and Son.

He said: “It is absolutely wonderful that my father is remembered in this way, he would have been so proud.

“Before the bypass came in our vehicles came past these traffic lights. It is nice that he is remembered in Fakenham, I just wish that he was here to see it.”

Read the full article on edp24 here.

Jack Richards – Funeral

It is with great frustration that it has taken me this long to make a post about the funeral of Jack Richards, President of the ‘Friends of 75(NZ) Squadron Association. Jack’s funeral took place on Tuesday 3^rd June. Sadly owing to work commitments I was unable to attend, but I understand there was a significant presence of Association members. Kevin King the Association Chairman walked in front of Jacks coffin, carrying the Association standard, as part of the funeral procession through Fakenham where Jack’s haulage business was based. Jack was then taken to Kings Lynn for a private cremation. After this, there was a thanksgiving service in Fakenham at the Church of St. Peter and Paul and finally a reception was held at Fakenham racecourse.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Jacks funeral caught the attention of a number new outlets including BBC Norfolk, which has a piece on the funeral. The new article can be seen here.

Despite the number of articles about Jack’s passing and his funeral, nothing really seemed to be mentioned about the Association and his Presidency – Jack, with others founded the UK 75(NZ) Association in the 70′s, and was responsible for the creation of the plinth and memorial garden. He was a great benefactor to the UK Association, as well as an ambassador with strong ties to New Zealand.

Perhaps by way of remembering Jack and his contribution to the UK 75(NZ) Squadron Association, if anybody has any annecdotes, rememberings or thoughts on Jack, please place them in the comments of this post.

You’ll be missed Jack

Ake Ake Kia Kaha

Jack Richards – 1924 – 2014

Despite ill health, Jack made every effort to attend last years Association service of remembrance, here, stood in the Memorial Garden, at Mepal, with Association Chairman Kevin King on that sunny Sunday morning.

It is with great sadness that I must pass on the news that Jack Richards, President of the  Friends of 75 (NZ) Squadron Association  passed away yesterday, aged 90.

Jack had been President of the association since 2005 when the ‘Friends of 75 (NZ) Squadron’ was formed. Prior to that he was Chairman of the old association.

Jack, with others founded the UK 75(NZ) Association in the 70’s, and was responsible for the creation of the plinth and memorial garden. He was a great benefactor to the UK Association, as well as an ambassador with strong ties to New Zealand.

As a mark of respect to Jack, there will be no further posts on the blog for a week.

I am sure you all, as I do, pass our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to Jack’s family.

Ake Ake Kia Kaha Jack