Obituaries Former Warrant Officer Class 1 (Artificer Sergeant Major) James John Coogan Scribes: Dave Cooper and Phil Dyson-Hurrell It is with regret that we inform the Corps of the death of John Coogan, who died suddenly in his sleep at home on 6th June 2021 following a heart attack, aged 66. After watching his younger brother Aidan’s passing out parade with the Parachute Regiment, John was so inspired that he joined the Army himself at St Albans on 2nd February 1976 at the age of 21. He’d originally gone with the intention of following Aidan into the Paras but, fortunately for us, the Recruiting Sergeant saw his test results and persuaded him to join REME. On passing out from basic training as Champion Recruit, John then moved to SEME and trained as an Armourer; on completion of which he was posted to his first unit (1 CHESHIRE) in Minden in February 1977. L a t e r, w h i l s t s e r v i n g w i t h 14/20H LAD in Münster he successfully completed Artificer Selection and attended 81 Artificer Weapons course from April 1983 to September 1984. On completion of his Artificer course, he was posted to 29 CDO Regt LAD at the age of 29. Following two unsuccessful attempts (through injury) at the All-Arms Commando course John felt that it was inappropriate for him to remain there without passing the course, so he asked for a posting. It was then he met, and fell in love with, his future wife Marianne; which was the catalyst for him to have another shot at the Commando course so that he could stay in Plymouth – and this time he was successful. So, having earned his coveted green beret, he went to withdraw his posting request – only to be told by the OC that it was too late and he was being posted to 15 Fd Wksp in Catterick. (To say he was miffed was an understatement!) He left 15 Fd Wksp on posting to 1RS LAD in Werl as AQMS and then spent a year in Berlin at 14 Fd Wksp. He was promoted to ASM in 1991 and served with 39 Regt Wksp, HQ Northern Ireland and finally, Army Technical Support Agency in Chertsey, which is where he finished his 22 years’ military service. John epitomised the Corps ethos of soldier first and during his time in uniform saw service in the UK, West Germany, Berlin, Canada, Belize, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Norway. On leaving the Army, John, Marianne and their daughters Claire, Katie and Lauren settled into their new home in Camberley and John used his logical brain, common-sense, practical ability, drive and determination and large reservoir of technical experience in his second career, working as a civilian technical officer at HQ SEDIST (which later became HQ Regional Command) in Aldershot. He finally retired in January 2021, having given 45 years’ service to REME, both in uniform and as a civilian Staff Officer. John was a keen military historian, which he put to good use (along with his hobby of photography) during the annual reunion of the now-lifelong friends he made at 15 Fd Wksp, leading his own battlefield tours of places such as Arnhem, Ypres, Bastogne, Amsterdam, Normandy, Monte Cassino and various German locations such as Berlin, Düsseldorf, Mönchengladbach, Lemgo, Hamburg and Munich – wherever we went, John had carried out research into the area’s battles and it was a pleasure listening to his briefings (with all his notes in the [by now familiar] EMER binder that always accompanied him). John’s farewell parade was held at Aldershot Crematorium and
sincere thanks go to Maj Neil Allcock for making all of the arrangements. Sadly, due to Covid-19 the numbers attending were significantly reduced. He was carried in by past and current serving members of HQ Regional Command spanning the ranks of Sgt to Lt Col! – a truly fitting and emotional gesture by those who considered him both their comrade in arms as well as friend. Organised by the Corps Welfare Office the Corps was further represented by the REME Association Standard Bearer from Bordon and a trumpeter from the RAMC whose playing of the Last Post and Reveille were absolutely impeccable. Following the service, his wake was held (appropriately) at The Army Golf Club, which John had joined on leaving military service and of which he was appointed Captain in 2012. He was truly an exemplary, decent man whose zeal for life, knowledge, experience, dry sense of humour and moral fortitude will be greatly missed by all who knew him and we offer our sincere condolences to John’s family and friends. Rest In Peace John. Arte Et Marte.
Former Sergeant Malcolm ‘Tigger’ Craig Scribes: Maj Alex Thomson and Mrs Glenis Fairclough (sister) It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of 24903088 Sergeant Malcolm ‘ T i g ge r ’ C r a i g. T i g ge r f e l t unwell whilst at work on 30 Dec 20 and was laughing and joking with his workmates before suddenly collapsing as paramedics arrived and could not be revived. He was 60 years old. Tigger was born close to midnight on 21 Aug 60 at 85 Clupstone Street, Bradford. He was closely followed 15 mins later by his twin sister on 22 Aug and was the third of four children of Ronnie and Kath Craig. Tigger attended Crag Road junior school then Salts Grammar school in Shipley. In his early life he wasn’t allowed to have a bike so he and his 2 brothers built their own, eventually building his own scooter. With this early aptitude for engineering established, his first career was as a Mechanic at Ross Field garage repairing Robin Reliants. During this period, he married Tracy and had three children; two boys and a girl. He divorced Tracy and married Linda who followed him into his early career in the military in Dortmund, Germany. He then divorced Linda and married Caroline with whom who he had four children; Rebecca, Kieran, Aiden and Kimberly. Aiden has followed his dad into REME and is currently serving. After completing his service, Tigger did a few jobs including Ocado delivery and Abattoir Engineer before finally settling as an engineer at Morrison’s.
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