Thomas James "Jim" CROOKS (27 Aug 1958 - 24 Apr 2019)

To my dearest Jim, 2 months ago today you had to leave us. Miss you babes. Al xxx

Rest easy Jim awesome turn out today! im sure u r proud.
I am minded to remember two things we had in common.
r solar systems and a son called josh! good name choice.
c u on the other side.
Best wishes
Tony(AKA) Red Leader. Cully Station.

I had the pleasure of working with Jim several times during our careers. He was a quiet, unassuming consumate professional and an absolute asset to his comrades and friends. During his teams visit to Kiel back in the late 80's (21 Nienburg-if memory serves correctly) after a particularly heavy night in the bar with the lads he was sent over with a message for the REDW JDI who was waiting for Jim and the team to turn up for PT. Dressed in PT gear and with a horrendous hangover Jim leant against the wall at the REDW complex and told us all that his boss had cancelled PT that morning due to a Dive Planning Exercise in the accommodation. This message was delivered in a typical factual Crooks style and left me laughing long and hard at the expression on Dave Cook's face as he had been there waiting to take the team out on PT for about fifteen minutes. Sleep well brother.

We as a family have been privileged to share memorable times with Jim Ali and Josh over the years. These are etched in our minds to relive time and again. From the moment we first met some 35 years ago Jim has always been the consummate professional with a "wicked" sense of humour. Rest easy shipmate.

I had the absolute pleasure to serve under Jim in 9 Para Sqn RE. An absolute professional and superb leader, mentor and gentlemen. RIP brother your legend lives on

Jim was without a doubt the perfect description of ‘a hearts of gold’. He was tirelessly kind to everyone he met and immediately trustworthy and a friend to anyone. I will never forget our sailing holidays with him and Ali and Josh, he made every moment entertaining and truly was the best company.

The saying that some people come into our lives and quietly go does not fit here. Jamie was with us for a while and then had to leave us, but he left footprints on our hearts, and we shall never be the same. Love you from all us. Xxx

R.I.P. Jim