Here are details of Steve’s Funeral. Thanks to Phil Green. 13:00 hours, 4th October 2023, which would have been Steve’s 73rd birthday. Location: The chapel in the Waldfriedhof, Heerstrasse, Trakehner Allee 1, 14053 Berlin .
Last edited 3 years ago by WOLFIE ( Kevan Howard) Beerling
I am not long returned from Steve’s memorial service and the internment of his ashes in the Heerstrasse Cemetery, just to the east of Berlin’s 1936 Olympia Stadion. Please note, that Heerstrasse translates as “Army Street”, sadly quite appropriate in this case. Also, the cemetery is reminiscent of one of the training areas in the north-east of the SLTA, known to us as “Soltau”, and where Steve would have undertaken the majority of his training as a member of 5RTR, plus with our Recce Troop in Hohne or with our GW Troop in Münster in the early 70s.
There was a small gathering of close family and friends in the cemetery’s chapel, when a lengthy eulogy was read, both in German and English. This was followed by a procession through the beautiful cemetery to the tolling of the chapel’s bells, to Steve’s final resting place in the south-east corner of the cemetery. The day ended with a wake in his memory in a nearby hostelry. PS: Please see the 2RTR…back in the day website for some more pics. Phil Green Steve Bentley, 4th October 1950 – 26th August 2023… rest in peace old friend…
Steve originally served with the 5th, joining us in Recce Troop in ’69, in Hohne, when the 5th disbanded. I got to know Steve really well when we were the two Troop Cpls in 4 Troop, Ajax, for the ’74 Op Banner tour in Gosford, Keady, Tandragee, Coalisland and Sion Mills. Steve was sharp, witty and oh so very funny, which is how I will always remember him, especially from our time in Ulster in ’74.
For those of you unaware of Steve’s post-Army career, I will briefly reprise it for you: Having gained his wings with the AAC, Steve went on to fly helicopters with Messer’s Bristow on the North Sea oil rigs. He then ‘landed’ the best helicopter flying job in the world with Shell in Borneo. Having then decided that he wanted to be a fixed wing pilot, in his typically single-minded way, he decided that it would be with British Airways. This he did, flying Boeing 737s & 757s until his retirement. Rest in peace old friend…
Herewith a brief SITREP regarding Steve’s ‘funeral’ arrangements. Being domiciled in Germany, Steve’s ‘funeral’ is following that country’s ‘tradition’, i.e., having passed to the Green Fields on August 26th, Steve’s body was cremated on September 4th, and his ashes will be interred in a central Berlin cemetery on October 4th. Not quite the way we would have seen an old friend off but having said that, Steve would definitely not have liked any ‘fuss’…
Tankie & AAC Sgt, Bristow’s & Shell rotary-wing Captain, and finally, British Airways fixed-wing Captain. Above all, a good friend and a top, top guy… RIP…
Here are details of Steve’s Funeral. Thanks to Phil Green. 13:00 hours, 4th October 2023, which would have been Steve’s 73rd birthday. Location: The chapel in the Waldfriedhof, Heerstrasse, Trakehner Allee 1, 14053 Berlin .
I am not long returned from Steve’s memorial service and the internment of his ashes in the Heerstrasse Cemetery, just to the east of Berlin’s 1936 Olympia Stadion. Please note, that Heerstrasse translates as “Army Street”, sadly quite appropriate in this case. Also, the cemetery is reminiscent of one of the training areas in the north-east of the SLTA, known to us as “Soltau”, and where Steve would have undertaken the majority of his training as a member of 5RTR, plus with our Recce Troop in Hohne or with our GW Troop in Münster in the early 70s.
There was a small gathering of close family and friends in the cemetery’s chapel, when a lengthy eulogy was read, both in German and English. This was followed by a procession through the beautiful cemetery to the tolling of the chapel’s bells, to Steve’s final resting place in the south-east corner of the cemetery. The day ended with a wake in his memory in a nearby hostelry. PS: Please see the 2RTR…back in the day website for some more pics. Phil Green
Steve Bentley, 4th October 1950 – 26th August 2023… rest in peace old friend…
Tankie and aviator. Steve lived his dream. Glad to have shared some of the journey.
Sincere condolences to Steves family and friends.
Saddened by the news that Steve has gone to the Green Fields sincere condolences to family members RIP Steve.
I have used Steve Bentleys remarkable career as an example to many over the years.
Rest in peace Steve……condolences to his family and many friends.
Rest in peace Steve, my sincere condolences to all family and friends, we will meet again in the Tavern FN
Rest in Peace Steve, to the green fields. FN
Steve originally served with the 5th, joining us in Recce Troop in ’69, in Hohne, when the 5th disbanded. I got to know Steve really well when we were the two Troop Cpls in 4 Troop, Ajax, for the ’74 Op Banner tour in Gosford, Keady, Tandragee, Coalisland and Sion Mills. Steve was sharp, witty and oh so very funny, which is how I will always remember him, especially from our time in Ulster in ’74.
For those of you unaware of Steve’s post-Army career, I will briefly reprise it for you: Having gained his wings with the AAC, Steve went on to fly helicopters with Messer’s Bristow on the North Sea oil rigs. He then ‘landed’ the best helicopter flying job in the world with Shell in Borneo. Having then decided that he wanted to be a fixed wing pilot, in his typically single-minded way, he decided that it would be with British Airways. This he did, flying Boeing 737s & 757s until his retirement. Rest in peace old friend…
Rest in Peace Steve. To the green fields. FN
Herewith a brief SITREP regarding Steve’s ‘funeral’ arrangements. Being domiciled in Germany, Steve’s ‘funeral’ is following that country’s ‘tradition’, i.e., having passed to the Green Fields on August 26th, Steve’s body was cremated on September 4th, and his ashes will be interred in a central Berlin cemetery on October 4th. Not quite the way we would have seen an old friend off but having said that, Steve would definitely not have liked any ‘fuss’…
Tankie & AAC Sgt, Bristow’s & Shell rotary-wing Captain, and finally, British Airways fixed-wing Captain. Above all, a good friend and a top, top guy… RIP…
We never met Steve, but we are all part of the big Tankie Family, may you Rest in Peace, have a drink in the Tankies Tavern. FN. Wolfie.