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Bob was ex R.A.F. Fleet Air
Arm, joining Aden Airways
in 1953. Although operations
were based in Aden, he flew in
Asmara (then Eritraya) under Arab Airways (really Aden Airways but operated as Arab Airways for
Geo-Political reasons). He left Asmara in 1954 to work
in Amman,
still under the banner of Arab Airways. He then went to Aden
under Aden Airways, from '57 to '65.
Bob lived in Cathay
House near Khormaksar Beach with his wife Maureen, and children, Wendy and Ray.
Bob & Maureen were well-known for
their excellent parties!
He returned to UK after losing
his pilot's licence through high/low
tone deafness.
He
lived in Chirk, North Wales,
where he worked as
a grinder in the tool room at Girlings, the brake
company. Moving to
Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire he worked as a clerk with Boss
Forklift Trucks.
It was here he
met
Vic Spencer
again (who lived next
door to him in Cathay House, on Khormaksar beach),
who also lived in Bedfordshire.
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Bob
Hayes in Arab Airways uniform
with Son, Ray and daughter,
Wendy in Amman Jordan, before he
went to Aden
Bob eventually retired to Denbigh, North Wales where he lives today. |
Bob Hayes,
the first officer on
left. Captain Matt Murray on right. Taken in Cairo
aboard Aden Airways C4 Argonaut.
Following is a message received from Ray
Hayes, Bob's son:
"I have
just discovered your site.
How fabulous to see so many names of
people I or my parents knew. I see
in your forum column names of Alan
Platt, Peter Classey, Penny Eager.
Alan and Penny I and my sister
Wendy, knew back then. Peter I have
probably seen out there on one of the
many visits to Aden from boarding
school. My father flew for Aden
Airways up to around 1963/4. He flew the
DC3, Argonaut, and Viscount, His name is
Bob
Hayes, and I'm pleased to
say is still very much here. He is now
85 and remarkably fit. He drives a
Rolls Royce Silver Spirit, Jaguar XJ,
and rides a motorbike like a 19 year
old! (I even back off on corners
before he does!) He often mentions
names like-Vic
Spencer, who lived in a flat
opposite us in Cathay House.
Alan Bodger (the then
chief pilot, before Vic Spencer) , who
went on to Gulf Air later, Rex Barnes
who sadly died rather young, Matt Murray
( a good friend of
Bob's.........anyone know if he is
still around in Ireland? ) , forgive me
if I don't know all the first names, Elgee,
Jack Parker, (lived in flat below us in
Cathay House), Eric Borsbury. That's all I can recall
now but will add some names after I
visit my Dad in Denbigh soon. Penny
and Susan Eager's dad was Freddie who
worked on the admin side and was most
popular along with his wife Pam. Freddie
enjoyed singing the odd song with his
guitar.........he wasn't bad
actually! (or has memory dulled the
experience!) On the engineering side was
Bob Cartwright, a popular engineer and
well respected. I knew his son Michael
and sister Joan. My mother Maureen Hayes (who
sadly passed on in Feb 06) was a little
possessive of my dad Bob. One Xmas my
Dad was on the Xmas Roster to fly and
for some reason (only known to her!) she
didn't want him to fly. Now Bob was fine
about it and never complained regarding
the roster. What he didn't know (then)
was Maureen went to the
Aden Airways
office and went in to complain to the
manager, to which he gave this classic
reply--"I'm sorry Mrs Hayes we were
rather under the impression we employed
Mr Hayes to fly!" Possibly the only
time Maureen was lost for words! Bob
still laughs about it after all this
time. The parties at Bob and
Maureen's flat in Cathay House were well
remembered.
I had a fabulous time on
my trips to Aden, often meeting my dad
in Cairo for the last leg to Aden. The
parties, the swimming at Gold Mohur,
the films at the Shenaz Roundabout, or
the other open air one in Little Aden.
I hope you include this somewhere on
your website---who knows maybe someone
knows me!
Thanks for letting me
Ramble on and to all you expats of
Aden--cheers."
Ray Hayes
Hello Peter,
Trust you had a good xmas [2006]. You
asked to be informed regarding a meeting
which was being arranged between my
father Bob Hayes and Matt Murray, both
ex Aden Airways pilots.
Bob Hayes and Mat Murray
It was a real joy to see when they
got together again after so many years.
They are both 85 years now and it was
like the time just melted away. They
were back flying together, in their
memories! We had the most memorable and
wonderful day------------and without
your hard work which you put into the
website this would never have taken
place!
Please accept our most sincere thanks
and gratitude.
All the very best for a great New
year
Ray Hayes
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