October 31, 2011 5.27 pm This story is over 149 months old

Hundreds attend Red Arrows pilot memorial

Memorial: Family, friends and fellow servicemen gathered at Lincoln Cathedral for the memorial of Red Arrows’ pilot Jon Egging.

Lincoln Cathedral was filled on Monday with family, friends and fellow servicemen for the memorial of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who served with the Red Arrows.

Egging (33) was killed on August 20 after his T1 Hawk aircraft crashed following an air display at Bournemouth Air Festival.

Serving in the world-famous Red Arrows (based near Scampton), Egging, originally from Rutland, was inspired by his airline pilot father.

Egging was awarded an RAF Flying Scholarship before leaving school and had his first solo flight in a Cessna 152 alongside best friend James Godley.

Godley attended the memorial and is now concentrating on The Jon Egging Trust set up by his wife Dr Emma Egging, which provides new opportunities for young people aged 13-25.

Godley said: “The memorial was very moving and I have my own memories of Jon but the focus is now on the trust which is set up in his name.”

The service was led by the Reverend Canon Alan Nugent and family members, and RAF officials read tributes to the pilot.

The pilot’s wife read the final tribute before the ceremony was led out of the cathedral to the sound of True Colours by Cyndi Lauper.

At the end of the memorial the Red Arrows performed a fly by past of the cathedral as Dr Emma Egging was comforted by the reverend, who wrapped his gown around her.