Award is a tribute to Phil's skill with cameras (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Award is a tribute to Phil's skill with cameras

Phil Goddard's winning entryA LYNEHAM photographer has won a posthumous award for one of his pictures. Phil Goddard, 57, who worked as one of the RAF station's photographers, died on January 1 after a long illness.

He has now been awarded the Calumet Trophy.

It is an award presented to the photographer who is deemed to have taken the best overall photograph of the year in the Royal Air Force Photographers' Photographic Competit-ion.

RAF Lyneham's station commander, Group Capt Paul Oborn said: "I am delighted that Phil's work has been recognised by the award of the Calumet Trophy.

"While we are all very sad that he will not be able to receive the award in person, it is a fitting tribute to his professionalism and enthusiasm.

"All of Phil's friends and colleagues here at RAF Lyneham feel proud to have known him and are very pleased that his work has won due recognition."

The winning photograph is entitled Falcon Blaze.

It was taken towards the end of last year, while Mr Goddard was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Mr Goddard worked for Babcock, the firm in charge of RAF Lyneham's photography.

His former boss, Steve Brooking, said: "Phil continued to work as and when his condition and chemotherapy allowed.

"He was determined not to let it ruin his quality of life and prevent him from doing what he loved taking pictures."

His colleagues spotted its prize-winning potential and submitted it into the competition on his behalf.

Many people around the town will know of Mr Goddard who used to run Goddard Photo-graphic in Victoria Road.

He was a member of the Air Training Corps 1244 squadron during the 1960s before going on the serve in the RAF proper for 12 years.

Mr Goddard later went on to become a civilian instructor with the 1244 squadron and he spent a lot of his time researching its history.

Mr Brooking added: "The success of Phil's work in this prestigious competition will undoubtedly be a fitting testament to his love of photography and also bring much joy to his son and family who were so devoted to him."

Stephanie Tye