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Hero Pilot Saved Lives Twice, Flew Blind in Monsoon
11 Aug
Summary
- Twice commended for bravery, saving a life in Borneo and Plymouth.
- Flew blind through monsoon to rescue critically ill man.
- Descendant of aviation pioneer John Stringfellow, flew 14 aircraft types.
Lieutenant-Commander Jeremy Knapp, who died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 88, was twice recognized for his remarkable courage in saving lives.
In November 1964, during the Confrontation in Borneo, Knapp volunteered for a dangerous mission. He flew a critically ill topographer 150 miles from Nanga Gaat to Sibu, navigating blind through a monsoon downpour. He descended to 100 feet, relying on the reflection of his landing light on the dark river below to judge his altitude. This daring feat earned him the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Earlier in his career, as a cadet, Knapp bravely plunged into Plymouth Sound during a gale to rescue a stoker who had fallen overboard at night. For this action, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal. He was a descendant of John Stringfellow, a pioneer of powered flight in 1848.
Knapp served in various naval postings, including minesweepers and frigates, before training as a pilot in 1961. He developed a strong appreciation for helicopters, considering them a superior form of aviation due to their demanding nature. He flew 14 different types of aircraft, logging 2,967 hours before leaving the Navy in 1977.
After his naval service, Knapp worked for Shell, pioneering offshore platforms in Borneo where locals remembered him. He later became a health and safety consultant, retiring in 1994. Despite illness in his later years, he continued to travel extensively, visiting 12 countries.
