Tributes to former RAF Wittering catering officer with 'heart of gold' who died in car crash
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved RAF chef who died in a car crash.
Corporal Chris Showell, 33, joined the air force in May 2004 and worked at RAF Wittering with two catering units before moving to RAF Waddington near Lincoln in January 2018.
He passed away following a collision with a lorry on the A15 at Dunsby Hollow, near Cranwell, last Thursday.
It is understood he lived in the Bourne area and had links to Ryhall.
RAF Waddington Station Commander, Group Captain Kilvington, said in a statement: “Chris had been an important member of the Catering Squadron, working in most of the messes at RAF Waddington during the last two years.
“In every role, his professionalism and commitment helped improve working practises, delivery and teamwork. A superb chef and a highly regarded member of each team he worked in, Chris will be profoundly missed.”
Chris’s colleagues within the Catering Squadron added: “He will always be remembered for being a highly capable chef; someone who was always dependable, hard-working and honest in all his endeavours.
“A quiet character, he nevertheless had a wicked sense of humour once you got to know him and he was hugely popular across the Squadron. Always having time for others, he will be greatly missed by us all.”
Friends and colleagues have also been paying tribute on social media.
One man said on Facebook: “R.I.P Chris Showell you were an awesome guy and I'm grateful to have worked with you thoughts to your family you will be missed greatly.”
And another added: “A top lad with a pure heart of gold, would always be there for others in their hour of need. You will be sadly missed by many!”
Lincolnshire Police has said its thoughts are with Chris’s family and confirmed an investigation into the cause of the crash was under way.
Meanwhile, a fundraising page set up to buy a memorial bench in Chris's memory has already smashed its £500 target with more than £1,400 pledged so far.
It was set up by Erin Pape on the Just Giving website.
She says: "Chris was sadly taken from us far too soon in a terrible accident. This is a heartbreaking time for Annie and Chris' family. There are no words to express how sorry we are.
"All who were privileged enough to of known Chris will know how much he loved the village most importantly The Green Dragon, lets be honest. Please help us as a community raise money for a memorial bench to be placed in Ryhall in loving memory of our dear friend Chris.
"You were such a kind and caring soul, thank you for loving Annie with all of your heart and showing her what we could all see. We will forever treasure our time with you as brief as it may have been. Thankyou for the laughs, the great advice, the questionable jokes and the terrible hangovers.
"Forever in our hearts."
To donate, visit the page here
To pay tribute to Chris email smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
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