I knew Andy Philp for 53 years joining Welbeck College together in September 1969.  He was a great friend and colleague who I miss already.  It seems unbelievable that Andy died so soon after losing his beloved Aly.  In recent years when Aly was still with us, we often found ourselves and the ‘Kernels’ (group of long-lasting REME friends who tripped off to various locations for weekends away) remembering (and frequently toasting) the good old days; and they were. 
Welbeck, Sandhurst, first tour, Shrivenham, Staff College:  Our paths intertwined, families stayed in touch and we remained very close friends throughout the years and despite periods of being in different countries.  Even when Andy took a route to aeronautical engineering (least said) and I chose to specialise in electronics, it didn’t matter - our friendship grew and the bond got stronger.
There are so many good stories to tell about Andy and everyone will have their favourites.  As we know he was very Scottish and proud of it – haggis, Burns, Scottish Flag, careful with money (but no mean).  I remember driving to Scotland in 1970 in my dodgy Vauxhall Viva and stayed with Andy.  It was a great trip taking in St Andrews Golf course (not the expensive one) and watching many hours of the Commonwealth Games taking place in Edinburgh.  We may also have sampled a range of local beverages. 
I also remember in 1975, we had the (mis)fortune to be selected to attend the Towyn Mountain Leadership course.  In recent times, we quite often recalled the awfulness of being made to take early morning swims in the sea - better than doing Eskimo rolls in the static tank I seem to remember.
I am sure his friends and family will have different memories but I will remember Andy as someone who doted on his wife and family and who was devastated when Aly tragically died.  He was a great friend who was a delight to be with and who was always ready to help and muck in when he could.   Rest in Peace.