Bill Ratcliffe in United Kingdom / Europe Forum

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Bill Ratcliffe

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vehcop	Traffic Cops friend	#21	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 01/30/2012 5:25 PM	As a Police Traffic Officer of many years, I have been at the scene of too many of the worst type of incidents we experience on Cambridgeshires roads. On many occasions the vehicle recoveries were handled by Bill and his former associates. At all times the work was handled in the most sensitive,confident and professional way. Frequently, particularly when working with 'heavies', the removal of casualties was only possible due to Bill's skill and expertise. The quality of work and equipment will be a lasting reminder of the man himself. Recovery operations will go on, but without Bill, the industry has lost one of the best in the business. RIP Dave C
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Sparrow		#22	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 02/09/2012 3:52 PM	Bill Ratcliffe a good friend and the most professional recovery man you could ever meet ,I used to call and visit Bill and look at his fantastic pics over 35 years ago when travelling south with my Transit and trailer , His enthusiasm was fantastic and his AEC was amazing with the Holmes 750 ,Just a true gentleman and such a sad loss , Rest in Peace Bill ,,,
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Spartan999	Mr. Bill Ratcliffe - The very best friend and father if I could have chosen.	#23	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 02/21/2012 11:57 AM	Dearest Sue & Lauren, News has reached the furthest parts of the UK, well the Isle of Lewis, I type with such a sad heart and tears in my eyes, this is a shameful act on those who cannot be named, but they know what has caused this! The loss to you, and all who truly knew the greatest of a man I have ever known. Bill took me and mine under his watchful wing, and looked after our fleet and built the best of british... of any an engineer. I remember a Christmas Eve Eve job what a bloodly mess until Bill arrived and got a grip of the job, I echo the comments of Dave C (Cambs RPU) Crouchy, Adam, the boys in Leeds, Dave Cosby and all the others who I'm sure are feeling as bad as me today. Bill is now with Grandad and Uncle what a team - watch out God those gates will be soon be sorted. On a last note if I could have picked a father ney a dad I wish it could have been Bill. RIP Mark
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vulcanuk	Sue and Lauren Ratcliffe	#24	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1698 03/25/2012 10:54 AM Rotator United Kingdom	"Lauren and I have read the many posts on TOW411 about Bill the recovery expert, getting some insight to who he was professionally, and whilst we always knew he was exceptional at what he did, we had no idea just how much respect he had in the recovery world. To every one who has contributed we would like to say a heart felt thank you. We knew a different Bill though; the 'off duty' Bill; and whilst he was not 'off duty' very much, when he was he was the absolute best...best dad, best husband. The photograph above was taken in April 2007, and it shows Bill totally relaxed and happy. This was a time before those events occurred which had such a devastating affect on him, and when he was where he wanted to be, both in his work life and his personal life, and doesn't it show in his face! He was a protective Dad, who when Lauren wanted to leave home, bought the house across the road to keep her nearby. They did the garden together, hung pictures, watched DVD's and generally spent time relaxing in each others' company. Often, on a Saturday morning, a phone call would go between our houses 'hey Lauren, do you fancy a FBB (Fat Boys Breakfast?) and off they would go' We enjoyed going to the Cinema together, he was an expert on James Bond movies, and eagerly awaited new realeases......Daniel Craig being the best in Bills eyes, and it took something to knock Sean Connery off of his top spot. With Ice Road Truckers, MasterChef, TOW411 and his beloved POSH (Peterborough United) for company, Bill was content. When we went out to dinner, he liked good restaurants which served simple food...or of course the ultimate invite which was to my sister Sandras' where he would put in an order for steamed treacle sponge (just how grandma used to make it) , treacle tart or strawberry pavlova (no raspberries mind you!). He was kind, considerate and generous to those people he valued in his personal life. Not for him a flash, showy lifestyle, but just a quiet life enjoying his home, close friends and few family members. He had achieved a position in his professional life when he was content to take 7 days holiday , but perhaps only every other year; its notable that between August 1990 (when we met) and August 2010 when he was forced to retire, he took just 7 holidays , of 7 days duration each. Such was his devotion to work. He said very little, but felt very deeply; and when offering help to anyone, always did it quietly and with little fuss. The last 18 months of his life were very difficult for Bill, and in the end he was simply overwhelmed by human emotion; Lauren and I have yet to work out just how we get on with life without Bill; Whilst our hearts are broken at the moment, we keep Bill safely in there, and as we heal, we will wrap him up, keep him safe and treasure our time with him and our memories. It was an absolute priviledge to have him in our lives. Please think of him often, speak of him kindly and keep his memory alive for years to come. There was only one Bill Ratcliffe, and he is at peace at last. With our kind regards Sue and Lauren Ratcliffe"
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