Kev Furness

1951 – 2011

Kevin was born on 05 November 1951, 11 months after his brother Alan at Shabani in Rhodesia, who both eventually lived in Salisbury. After they left high school Kevin went first of all into the British South Africa Police in Harare and then into the Rhodesian Air Force in the permanent force. During his time in the Rhodesian AF, Kevin worked on Vampires and Dakotas at AFB New Sarum.

At the end of or towards the end of the war he moved from what is now Zimbabwe to South Africa and joined the SAAF at AFB SWKP on Dakotas with 44 Sqn as a Flight Engineer on Dakotas and then transferred to 25 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat.

During his service with the SAAF from 1981 – 2009, Kevin saw service on the Front in the Bush war and eventually finished his service at 35 Squadron and the SAAF Museum.

He married Teresa in 1986. He had 2 children, Peter and Carol.

Kevin had a keen interest in veteran affairs and was an Old Bill at Tommy Rendle VC Shellhole. He was also very active with the ORAFS.

He was project leader on the Dakota 6832 Restoration Project, sadly he never lived to see her fly again.