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Alexander,
 
Thanks for the update - these viruses seem to be getting worse.
 
Just started work again today after the Xmas break so only got to read your email today.
 
I have been an Architect for 30 years, but the Construction Industry over here is at a standstill, due to the recession, and no improvement in sight - how are things in Belgium?
 
I live in Derry / Londonderry on the North coast of Northern Ireland - our City is "UK City of Culture" for 2013 so there are lots of cultural events planned for the year.
 
I am also in Round Table and might be attending the Euro Convention in Maldegem from 17th - 20th May 2013 ( flying in via Brussels ) - I last attended this in 2005 and subsequently was disappointed to learn how close I was to Heverlee Cemetry. This trip may or may not materialise, but if I did go I would of course make the trip to Heverlee this time, to be the first member of the McGarvey family ever to visit uncle Bertie's grave - there may also be the opportunity to meet you?  I will keep you posted.
 
Regards,
Paul McGarvey RIBA

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Alexander,

Spoke to my father the other night ( Roy McGarvey ) and he is quite willing to discuss his brother Bertie ( George ) - he showed me various photos of Bertie at school, college, rugby and RAF also school reports, etc - my cousin Kathryn Adair has even more documentary records and we will be collating this over the next few weeks.   Dad tells me that Bertie planned to join the Ministry
( Church ) but the war put an end to this - incidentally Alexander, Dad did receive the letter you posted to Coleraine Rugby Club, 18 months ago, but unfortunately thought it 'safer' not to respond, not knowing who you were!

I have asked Dad to write down all that he remembers about Bertie, and we will publish this in due course - he had never before seen photos of the crashed Hampden plane or the gravestone so these were of great interest - he recalls that it was a 'Piet Klassen' who recovered  Bertie's body from the plane ( does this name mean anything to you? )

I realise now it is a tragedy that no member of the McGarvey has yet visited Bertie's grave - Kathryn and I propose to rectify this by visiting in 2 years time ( on the 70th anniversary of his death ) - 30 months ago I was in Brussels not realising that I was only a short distance from Bertie's grave.

Paul