John's Page

Wing Commander John Findlater

I was born in Slough, then in Buckinghamshire, UK on 22nd October 1933. My father, William David Findlater (1900-1980) was born in London and was married in 1932 to Elizabeth Holmes (1907-1989). My grandfather, William Brown Findlater (1853 -1936) was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire and moved to London towards the end of the 19th century. His father, John Findlater (1816-1873) was born in Methlick, Aberdeenshire.

I went to Windsor Grammar School from 1943 to 1951 and in 1952 was called up for National Service in the Royal Air Force, which I made my career, retiring in 1986 with the rank of Wing Commander. Most of that time I was involved in flying, as a navigator, and administering maritime patrol aircraft. I flew Shackleton and Nimrod aircraft over the oceans from Canada to Australia via the Mediterranean and had a 2-year tour with the Royal Navy flying in Sea King helicopters.

In 1960 I married Mary Kathleen Ganley and we had 2 children: Julia Margaret born in 1962 and Andrew Paul born in 1963, both at the RAF hospital in Ely, Cambridgeshire. They both now live in London. Julia is married and I have one grandson, James, who was born in 1997. My first wife and I divorced in 1991. My second wife was Ingrid Rudzik whom I married in 1994 but we were divorced in 2000.

Since I retired from the RAF in 1986 I have had two jobs in IT in London and Cambridge, where I now live. I am finally retired at last and am able to devote more time to travelling. My favourite part of the world is Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Greece, which I visit at least once a year. My other, recent, interest is my family history. So far I have got good information on my great grandparents on both my father's and mother's sides of the family. I am almost certain that my great-great grandfather was William Findlater, a shoemaker, and that his wife was Ann Williamson. They would both have been born in Aberdeenshire towards the end of the 18th century but so far hard information on them eludes me. If any reader can help me find them, I would be very grateful."