Post by Paul Webb on Jan 24, 2014 13:13:49 GMT
OLDER club members will be sad to learn of the death at the age of 72 of former Old Eds player Bomber Welch.
His proper name was Tony but everyone at the club always knew him as Bomber.
Bomber, who lived in Greater Torrington, Devon, had been suffering from cancer for six years.
Bomber played prop for the Eds First XV for about 15 years and formed a solid front row along with hooker Dickie Bowes and fellow prop Peter Johnson, who was a lifelong friend of the popular scrummager.
Peter knew that Bomber was very ill and, along with wife Val, drove to Devon on Sunday to see his old friend. They visited Bomber on Monday and he died later that day.
He leaves a wife, Jan. His first wife was Jackie.
Paying tribute, Peter said: "He was my best friend. I was his best man at his first wedding and he was best man when Val and I got married."
Bomber had lived in Devon for about 10 years and was a very keen gardener, who also judged horticultural shows over a wide area.
His funeral will be held on Monday, February 3, at Barnstaple Crematorium.
There will be family flowers only and any donations, to Cancer Research, may be made via Ralph Gist & Son, 18 Castle Street, Torrington, North Devon, EX38 8EZ.
His proper name was Tony but everyone at the club always knew him as Bomber.
Bomber, who lived in Greater Torrington, Devon, had been suffering from cancer for six years.
Bomber played prop for the Eds First XV for about 15 years and formed a solid front row along with hooker Dickie Bowes and fellow prop Peter Johnson, who was a lifelong friend of the popular scrummager.
Peter knew that Bomber was very ill and, along with wife Val, drove to Devon on Sunday to see his old friend. They visited Bomber on Monday and he died later that day.
He leaves a wife, Jan. His first wife was Jackie.
Paying tribute, Peter said: "He was my best friend. I was his best man at his first wedding and he was best man when Val and I got married."
Bomber had lived in Devon for about 10 years and was a very keen gardener, who also judged horticultural shows over a wide area.
His funeral will be held on Monday, February 3, at Barnstaple Crematorium.
There will be family flowers only and any donations, to Cancer Research, may be made via Ralph Gist & Son, 18 Castle Street, Torrington, North Devon, EX38 8EZ.