Jake and I were on the same Basic Police Course at Pershore in 1950 and have remained friends and in contact with each other throughout all of those 52 years. When I came to Canada in 1973 Jake and Family followed us out here. He served with the Prison Service in the Kingston Canada area until he retired at age 65.

Jake who revelled in being called "Jake the Snake" was a well known Dog Handling Instructor at both Netheravon and Debden and also had a lot to do with the Dog Demonstration Teams. I am sure there will be a lot of ex Dog men that will remember Sgt Jake Izatt and may wish to add some stories they have of Jake the Snake.

I spent some time with Jake last month when he became bedridden, and it was heartbreaking to see someone who loved Swimming and Water Polo, deteriorating before one's very eyes, he lost so much weight, the Jake I will remember is the Jake in the photo with me taken last August 2001 and up on the Association Web Site.

Goodbye Jake old friend of 52 years, I will miss you. Alex Hanley

After a short battle with cancer, Jake passed away quietly and peacefully in Vancouver, BC on Sunday, May 26th with his family by his side.

A memorial service to celebrate his life and remember the good times will be held in Vancouver on June 4th at 1 pm. If anyone has anything they wish to share, please email his daughter at reid1707@hotmail.com and it will be read at the memorial.

In Jake's own words......"I have been and I have seen, I have lived such a joy, with the heart of a man and the zest of a boy".

Lesley Reid (Jake's daughter)

It is not known at this time what arrangements are to be made for a Service . His wish was that he be cremated and his ashes taken back to Edinburgh Scotland, his place of birth and this wish will be granted by his family.