Like a lot of other ex- Rockapes I knew THE GENERAL. I did Swinderby and Catterick with him. He went to 1sqn and I went to 63sqn. Our paths crossed now and again. I remember him winning the FEAF heavyweight boxing championship in Singapore, Tengah. I asked him why he hit the guy so hard, he replied Well he messed up my hair.

As people have said he was big but very gentle and polite. He used to come and stay with me at weekends in Liverpool and all my family thought the world of him. Life is a much sadder place without him. I am honoured to have had him as a fellow ROCKAPE and more importantly as a Friend. He will be missed by a lot of people. He will be met by Danny Goord, Andy Reekie, Bud Abbott to name a few. BASIC training all over again Nev, no probs, you have done it all before. My deepest sympathy to all of his family.

Rest in piece my friend. Phil {Scouce} Lewis.

As a fellow ROCKAPE I new Neville well. We did Swinderby and Catterick togther. Srayed with me in the Pool my mum dad and all my family thought the world of him. One of the last times I saw him was in Norwich presenting prizes at an amateur boxing contest in the seventies.

He was one of the finest men I have had the pleasure of knowing and being able to call my friend. Anyway Danny Gord, Andy Reekie and Bud Abbott will be there to welcome him to his new home.

God bless you Neville, my life became richer when I met YOU as did a lot of other peoples. Phil {Scouce} Lewis

I served with Neville in the Far East when he was a gunner with No 1 LAA Squadron. I didn't know him as well as some of the other lads from the same squadron whose fine tributes are on here but whenever we met up he always had a ready smile and a gentle joke for me that left a lasting impression. I shared his enthusiasm for boxing but sadly, not his talent. The final bell's gone Nev but you left this world as a true champion. Rest in peace mate and have the 'Tigers' lined up for the rest of us when we join you.

Taff

"Death was afraid of him because he fought like a lion."

As a fellow Rockape, 'The General' as we all knew Neville always seemed to have a glint in his eye and the gentle way he spoke belied the physical size of the man. "A gentleman" is often said of someone who has passed away. In this instance it is truely deserved, he was a true gentle man. There will be many a glass, and I mean many a glass raised in tribute to you big man, May your God be with you.

Per Adua Ad Astra

Like George I first met Neville when we joined the RAF Regiment in 1965.
We did basics together at Catterick and later that year we went our seperate ways.
General ( as I will always remembr him by ) to RAF Butterworth and I to RAF Tengah ( 63 LAA Sqn )
Lost track of the big man for a while but once met never forgotten.
Followed his boxing career and was very proud to have been a friend and a mate of such a big gentle man.
Well General you have finally lost the biggest fight of your life, but we all know where ever you are you will be battling on.
Was an honour to have known you General.

R.I.P. my friend

Neville Meade

I heard the sad news about 'The General' and would like to express my sympathies to his family.

I, along with a hundred or so other members of the squadron knew Neville at Butterworth in Malaysia. I remember the smile along with the good humour and laughter we all shared. We were always broke but always happy. Another thing we shared was a guitar where Neville taught us 'May May' along with other popular Jamaican music.

I followed your career Neville when I could but regret that I never met you again. Perhaps one day...

Farewell big man. The world just got smaller.

John Harriss

My memories of Neville date back to 1966 when I first met him on 1 LAA Squadron RAAF Butterworth, Malaysia when we were both members of the RAF Regiment. Neville was a special guy who was respected by us all on 1 Squadron, his sense of humour, which in many ways was unique. Little did we all know back in 1966 that Neville would in time become a superstar in the world of boxing. In Canada where I live we have only one superstar and that is George Chevalo who fought Muhammed Ali, George was the only boxer who ever put him down. Muhammed went on to win on points - after 15 rounds. Neville was in that class, he was a true Rock.

I am sorry for Neville's family's loss - may he forever rest in peace.

Per Ardua

Nick (Streaky) Bacon

Canada

To Neville's family, my deepest sympathy with your loss, but my hopes are that you are comforted with good memories of times shared.

I, like George severed with Neville (General) in the Far East 1965/1968 sharing some great times.
When I first heard from George of his passing I was immediately sadden, especially so young & fighting all those personal battles. But at the same time all those happy/funny memories came flooding back & I found myself smiling. So Thank you "General" for all the laughs & great memories. RIP friend & may we share a few laughs again someday in time to come.

Cheers, Mervyn (Winston) Churchill
Canada

I had the pleasure of meeting & befriending Neville or General as we used to call him, at RAF Catterick early 1965, later that year we were posted to the Australian Air Force Base at Buterworth in Malaysia and later in 1966 we went to RAF Seletar together. After returning to the UK in 1965 I lost contact with Neville never to meet up with him again.
In recent years I have tried to locate him and managed to pin point Swansea but just never managed to get any contact details.
Neville I am deeply saddened by your premature departure from this earth, and deeply disappointed we were not able to meet up again.
My thoughts and Prayers are with your family,
I will never forget you my old friend.
God Bless
Your old "Rockape" buddy,
George Gault

Our thoughts go out to neville meade friends and family at this difficult time.
Love and respect from the Pearce family to the Champ 1981 R.I.P

Luke Pearce & Family

NEWPORT

My fondest memories of Neville was when he came to lodge at my grandmother Kitty and grandfather Vernon Planchant house in Brunswick Street near the Sandfields in the 70'.
They regarded him as part of the family. He use to take me and my brother's out in his Brown Rover car, he then started taking my brother John training with him, and he caught the bug too and won a few trophys My gran and grandfather are no longer with us but ,they followed his career and were really proud of him.My Brother John Besley is no longer with us as we lost him in 2006 to a brain tumour.but i know John would have been devastated to have heard about his death. I just hope they have met up in heaven and are sparing to their hearts content.

Goodnight Godbless Neville

Kathryn George
.

A last goodbye we did not say,
In our hearts you will always stay.to my darling brother, your pain is no more. I was so proud of you, and will always be. your sense of humour I will miss. Rest in peace. Love you always. You will never be forgotten. your sister Audrey and family xx

Nev,
Just heard the news, its a pity we lost contact these last 3/4 years. I did try several times to reach you!! However I have great memories and photographs of our relationship over the past 40 years, both in and out of the RAF.
God speed lots of love and blessings, I knew you were a believer.
From Gil Lee and family
"Box on champ"

You were a big part of our lifes, we loved you very much. No one ever saw you the way we saw you, the love, the laughter and the fun. You'll never be forgotten, you've gone to a much better place now. Becky will be waiting for you. Lots of Love always Mandy, Emily and Daniel xxxx

To my darling brother I have missed you for so long, I missed the way you used to make me laugh with the jokes you used to tell, sometimes I wondered if they were made up or if they were real because you told them so well. I wish I was there to take away your pain, I am going to miss your beautiful smile, you will always be in my heart. I will love you always, rest in peace my darling.

Your sister Maudlyn and family, xx

Whatever else we fail to do,
We never fail to think of you.

This is my memory, tribute to my older, better (much) brother Neville.

You were to me the ideal that i could never hope to match. Your accomplishments are unique and will live forever. There are many things to regret in any life, but i will now have to live with regret of not staying in touch, and so not being there when you needed help.
This world is never kind to people with gentle hearts.
May you now rest in peace. You will not be forgotten.