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Major Mick Welborn
Queens Royal Lancers
Major Mick Welborn
It is with great sadness that the Association learned of the death of Major Mick Welborn, GLO on II(AC) 2011-13, who has lost his hard fought battle with Cancer. Having looked for a while like he had beaten it, the severity of his recent relapse came as a shock to all former colleagues and friends when it became apparent that he wasn’t going to get better. He sadly passed away, with his family beside him in Poole, on Monday 2 Sep 19.
On loan from the Queens Royal Lancers, Mick arrived at Marham just in time to help prepare and accompany the Sqn’s deployment to Libya on Op ELLAMY. He quickly established himself as an essential asset to the Sqn; using his tank spotting genius to excitedly provide all manor of static (and even inflatable) tanks for use as practice targets for ELLAMY work up sorties during the frantic few weeks leading up to the Sqn’s arrival in Theatre. On deployment, he transformed himself into the OPFOR tactics subject matter expert and delivered the combined Typhoon and Tornado formations’ preflight briefings. His painstaking tracking and quality briefing material directly contributed to reducing the number of duplicated engagements against Gadaffi tanks. Many had already previously been disabled by DMS Brimstone strikes, but often left no discernible telltale damage. This was especially important at a critical time for the UK Brimstone stockpile (the IX(B)Sqn accidental Brimstone salvo attacks hadn’t helped this situation at all!)
On return to the UK, when Mick finally got round to his Op Pot Ratzy at the post deployment lunch of the month, he turned up dressed as an Army boxer. Determined to show the weak RAF aircrew how to drink and fight he stepped forward to gulp the delicious Ratzy only to reject it instantly in spectacular style! Once over the initial shock, he still managed to finish the rest of the delightful concoction. His boxing gloves were also later put to good use by the Junta in some memorable one-armed drunken pugilism!
Incredibly fit, he will be remembered for his love of Triathlon, which he was still competing in until last year, and his 2 beautiful (if intimidating) Rhodesian Ridgebacks who used to occupy all the available floor space sprawled out in the GLO office. This used to hilariously cause the Junta to nervously tip-toe their way around them on their way into the Tactics Cell. Above all though, Mick will be remembered as a warm hearted, professionally respected, incredibly good bloke who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Mick’s wife Jane has indicated that the funeral will be open to all and has passed on Mick’s wish to have an F35 flypast (clearly seeing as the classic Tornado GR4, being the obvious preference, is no longer available).
Fair winds Mick, ‘Hereward’, ‘Death or Glory’ - The Junta
Jez Holmes wrote that from a Commanding Officer’s perspective."Mick represented his Service brilliantly, able to take the banter and give it, bringing real meaning to the term ‘Army Cooperation’ in the Squadron’s title, and educating all Squadron members on joint capabilities and operations and making a real difference to our operational output. Committed, intelligent, and a true gent, I couldn’t have asked for more."
Nick Lowe, who will attend the funeral representing the Sqn and Association, added:
"Mick epitomised the very best of Shiny Two and the British Army - utterly professional, yet with a superb sense of fun, tremendously determined yet with seemingly boundless capacity to give time to others who struggled with something Mick found straightforward, and capable of delivery the most testing of tasks yet with such humility that he built wonderful bonds with all whom he met. An amazing family man, an exceptional officer and a true friend to so many - Mick will be sadly missed."
It is with great sadness that the Association learned of the death of Major Mick Welborn, GLO on II(AC) 2011-13, who has lost his hard fought battle with Cancer. Having looked for a while like he had beaten it, the severity of his recent relapse came as a shock to all former colleagues and friends when it became apparent that he wasn’t going to get better. He sadly passed away, with his family beside him in Poole, on Monday 2 Sep 19.
On loan from the Queens Royal Lancers, Mick arrived at Marham just in time to help prepare and accompany the Sqn’s deployment to Libya on Op ELLAMY. He quickly established himself as an essential asset to the Sqn; using his tank spotting genius to excitedly provide all manor of static (and even inflatable) tanks for use as practice targets for ELLAMY work up sorties during the frantic few weeks leading up to the Sqn’s arrival in Theatre. On deployment, he transformed himself into the OPFOR tactics subject matter expert and delivered the combined Typhoon and Tornado formations’ preflight briefings. His painstaking tracking and quality briefing material directly contributed to reducing the number of duplicated engagements against Gadaffi tanks. Many had already previously been disabled by DMS Brimstone strikes, but often left no discernible telltale damage. This was especially important at a critical time for the UK Brimstone stockpile (the IX(B)Sqn accidental Brimstone salvo attacks hadn’t helped this situation at all!)
On return to the UK, when Mick finally got round to his Op Pot Ratzy at the post deployment lunch of the month, he turned up dressed as an Army boxer. Determined to show the weak RAF aircrew how to drink and fight he stepped forward to gulp the delicious Ratzy only to reject it instantly in spectacular style! Once over the initial shock, he still managed to finish the rest of the delightful concoction. His boxing gloves were also later put to good use by the Junta in some memorable one-armed drunken pugilism!
Incredibly fit, he will be remembered for his love of Triathlon, which he was still competing in until last year, and his 2 beautiful (if intimidating) Rhodesian Ridgebacks who used to occupy all the available floor space sprawled out in the GLO office. This used to hilariously cause the Junta to nervously tip-toe their way around them on their way into the Tactics Cell. Above all though, Mick will be remembered as a warm hearted, professionally respected, incredibly good bloke who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Mick’s wife Jane has indicated that the funeral will be open to all and has passed on Mick’s wish to have an F35 flypast (clearly seeing as the classic Tornado GR4, being the obvious preference, is no longer available).
Fair winds Mick, ‘Hereward’, ‘Death or Glory’ - The Junta
Jez Holmes wrote that from a Commanding Officer’s perspective."Mick represented his Service brilliantly, able to take the banter and give it, bringing real meaning to the term ‘Army Cooperation’ in the Squadron’s title, and educating all Squadron members on joint capabilities and operations and making a real difference to our operational output. Committed, intelligent, and a true gent, I couldn’t have asked for more."
Nick Lowe, who will attend the funeral representing the Sqn and Association, added:
"Mick epitomised the very best of Shiny Two and the British Army - utterly professional, yet with a superb sense of fun, tremendously determined yet with seemingly boundless capacity to give time to others who struggled with something Mick found straightforward, and capable of delivery the most testing of tasks yet with such humility that he built wonderful bonds with all whom he met. An amazing family man, an exceptional officer and a true friend to so many - Mick will be sadly missed."
