Obituaries

NEW RTR ASSOCIATION EAST ANGLIAN BRANCH

Whenever Tankies gather, serving or veterans, it’s as if time has stopped as the warm welcome, friendly banter and a feeling of comradeship is always in abundance.

It was during one of these meetings, Neil Kellett and Kev (Geordie) Forde, neighbours in Suffolk, that the topic of setting up an RTRA branch for East Anglia was discussed, knowing there is a large number of ex Tankies who have settled in the area. Most of the veteran Tankies were keeping in touch via social media, the golf course or just getting together on an ad hoc basis for a drink, so we felt it was worthwhile to scope putting these “gatherings” on a more formal footing but only for those that wanted it.

Geordie kindly agreed to do some investigation and seek advice from HHQ. After a few days, it became apparent that within the region there were a lot more Tankies than first imagined, and there had been several attempts to set up an RTRA in the past. An on-going project was being scoped by Bob Catchpool, who had been keeping a database of Tankie contact details, in excess of 40, who were interested in an association. Combining the efforts of Geordie and Bob, the road to setting up a new branch was well under way. With a “formal request” sent to HHQ RTR and RTR Col Comdt, the initial working group were waiting for an answer, which when Brig Gavin gave the approval was met with typical Tankie enthusiasm of great “what now”.

The new branch is to be known as the RTRA East Anglian Branch, with a wide geographical catchment covering Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich with the aim of being friendly, modern and supportive to all veterans. The branch will have a monthly “gathering” at each of the three locations, reducing travel, and in addition the branch committee meeting will be held every four months at one of the venues. On 14 August 21 the first monthly gathering was held. It was great to see so much support for the new branch at each location. The first committee meeting took place in Ipswich on 4 September 21, which 38 members attended. Geordie Forde was appointed Branch President, Neil Kellett was elected as his Vice and Bob Catchpool became our first Chairman. Volunteers also stepped forward for: Entertainments member - Paul Clark. Venues members - Ipswich - Carl Vinyard, Bury St Edmunds - Davie Donaldson, Norwich - Justin Shuter. Carl Vinyard also took on the role of Welfare member and Marie Ovenstone is the Treasurer. Good luck to all. There is still plenty to do, and membership is growing steadily with 55 confirmed so far and more applications pending.

Throughout the whole startup process Roy Hill, Chairman of the Medway branch, provided us with advice and support, he also took the time to attend the Ipswich meeting, and we are all extremely grateful to him for all his help so far. If you are posted to, live in or just passing through East Anglia, you have an open invitation to join us at any of our meetings, where you can meet with fellow Tankies who have a story to tell and a beer to share. The Branch contact details can be found by emailing eastanglianbranch@gmail.com.

The Gathering in Ipswich

RECORD OF DEATHS

Allan, LCpl Steven. Died 7 February 2021 Baslington, Sgt Peter Carver. Died 7 June 2021 Battle, Tpr Vic. Died 18 April 2021 Bebbington, Ray. Died 10 April 2021 aged 87 Bellingham, Harry. Died 3 January 2021 Bevan, WO2 Tom. Died 14 October 2020 Blackburn, John (The Venerable John Blackburn CB QHC) Booker, Paul Charles. Died 26 December 2020 aged 68 Bough, Frank. Died 21 October 2020 aged 87 Bovingdon, Capt Nigel. Died 16 January 2021 Brown, Tpr Keith. Died 3 August 2021 Bryant, Frederick John Albert. Died 9 January 2021 Bullin, John (Jack). Died 17 August 2021 aged 100 Byrne, Cpl Harold. Died 27 January 2021 Campbell, Col Alistair. Died August 2021 Clarke, Capt Anthony. Died November 2019 Clough, Tpr Don. Died 7 July 2021 aged 83 Cooper, WO2 David. Died 8 February 2021 Cormack, WO2 Thomas (Tommy). Died 21 April 2021 aged 67 Crouchen, Martin (Edge). Died April 2021 Evans, Brigadier Michael John. Died 13 January 2021 Everard, Lt Col Richard (Dick). Died 25 January 2021 Feist, Bob. Died 2020 Gilbraith, Douglas (Charlie Chang). Died January 2021 Gray, Brian. Died April 2021 Greenway, Lt Jack. Died 8 November 2020 aged 77 Harber, Ken. Died 17 June 2021 Hendy, Terry. Died 10 November 2020 aged 83 Holtom, Brigadier Chris. Died 2021 Jefferies, William Arthur. Died 11 April 2021 Jones, WO1 (RSM) Graham George. Died 29 June 2021 Keys, Harry. Died 12 July 2021 Kilbride, WO1 Alan. Died 19 November 2020 Marland, Frank. Died 30 September 2021 Martin, LCpl Derek. Died 9 July 2021 aged 95 Mathews, Col Robert. Died 26 January 2021 aged 98 McMenamin, Scott. Died April 2021 Murray, Clifford. Died 22 May 2021 aged 99 Neal, Tpr Carl. Died 31 March 2021 Oliver, Tpr John. Died 12 February 2020 Pepper, Col Edward CBE. Died August 2021 Preston, Fred. Died 19 January 2021 aged 95 Smith, Sgt Leonard (Smudger). Died November 2020 Sturgeon, Maj Peter Sidney. Died 29 April 2021 aged 97 Thomas, Brian. Died 8 November 2020 Turner, Kenneth James. Died 9 November 2020 Uloth, Col Anthony. Died 23 September 2021 aged 92 Valler, Major David. Died 4 August 2021 aged 87 Vickers, Sgt Leslie. Died 20 March 2020 Welchman, WO2 Charlie. Died 22 November 2020 White, Alf. Died 13 May 2021 aged 98 Winterburn, Cpl John. Died 12 February 2021 Wright, Maj Hugh. Died 7 February 2021 aged 74

Brigadier M J Evans – 2021

Brig Michael gained a Regular Commission at RMAS on the 6th February 1953 and joined 5 RTR as a Tp Ldr in Bergen Hohne. However, an operational deployment to Korea quickly followed and he spent the bitter winter of 1953/54 on the Imjin Line with his Troop. 1955 saw him with the Regiment, then based in Libya and in 1957 he took part in the Nuclear Weapons trials at Maralinga, Australia. This came about because he was one of the very few NBC qualified officers in the RAC at the time; whilst in Libya the Adjt had fixed it so as he could attend David Fullerton’s wedding by sending him back to the UK on the NBC recce course. When the call then came for officers from the RAC to go to Australia he was one of the very few, if not the only one qualified! He became Adjt of 5 RTR at Catterick in 1957 and then instructed at Mons Officer Cadet School in 1960 before attending Staff College. He met and married his wife Anne at this time and they went on to have four children. He became MA to Comd HQ 1 (BR) Corps at Bielefeld firstly under Lt Gen Sir Richard Goodwin and latterly Lt Gen Sir John Mogg. Returning to the Regiment as a Sqn Ldr in 1966. He took B Squadron to Aden where they provided perimeter defence of RAF Khormaksar before the Regiment moved to Wolfenbüttel. In 1972, and after attending Staff College as an Instructor, he took over as Commanding Officer 2 RTR in Munster. Brig Michael's latter appointments saw him as OIC RAC Records, a post which was followed by two years in Tehran. This was the mission to deliver the Shir 2 tank to the Iranians and Brig Michael and Anne were able to escape just before the fall of the Shah. He was Deputy Commander 39 Bde in Belfast and then COS and Col GS HQ 1 Armd Div at Verden. A posting to the MoD followed as ACDS (Pol) at the time of the Falklands War. He ended his career as Dep Comd South West District, Comd Bulford Garrison and Comd AMF(L) enjoying the chance to train with the force in Norway. In this period he was honoured by holding the position of ADC to Her Majesty the Queen.

Brig Mike was a keen sportsman playing Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Golf throughout his time in the Army. He claimed that one of his more important Cricket matches was played in Korea where he was vice Capt of ‘England’ when they played ‘Australia’ as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division. Retiring on 7th April 1988, he and Anne settled in an Old Rectory near Lyme Regis. Here he learned to manage sheep and amongst other things he ran a small charity for Romanian Orphans (Friends of Children in Romania) but golf remained a passion. He played weekly, right into his 80s and captained the Ironsides. He remained independent to the very end and died in hospital in Dorchester following a fall on 13 Jan 2021.

Captain Anthony CL Clarke – 2021

Anthony, the son of the late Colonel TCA Clarke, was born shortly before WW2 and at the outbreak of war he was evacuated to Georgetown in South Africa with his mother and sister. Colonel ‘Nobby’ Clarke, his father having fought in World War 2, commanded 46th RTR until seriously wounded in North Africa. Post war, the family moved from one military garrison to another - in Kent, Yorkshire, Germany and finally to Dorset where Anthony’s father had become the Regimental Secretary of the RTR and remained so for many years. Like so many children born of servicemen at that time, Anthony attended boarding schools, latterly Wellington College, thus it came as little surprise that he sought a career in the Army after leaving school. From Sandhurst, followed a YO’s course at Lulworth and Bovington before joining the 5th Royal Tank Regiment, then in Fallingbostel, as a Centurion Tank Troop Leader, at which he excelled. Rugby, hockey and tennis were sports he had enjoyed at school and played with vigour and enjoyment in the Army until a serious knee injury playing rugby, forced him eventually to seek a career outside the Armed Services. Meanwhile, after a short spell as a Troop Leader, he spent three successful years at RMCS Shrivenham where he passed the degree course that, had he so wished, qualified him nicely for a range of posts in Industry. A return to Regimental duty followed for a year and promotion to Captain was unfortunately not sufficient enticement to keep Anthony in the Army. The Army’s loss became ultimately Industry’s gain, for meanwhile, he had by chance met his future wife Anne at a ‘Courts Martial’ and his future would lead to a life outside the Services.

After a short time working in computers, he joined his father-in-law in the Date Industry and spent time travelling to Iran every year. Meanwhile, the family duly became five (sons Rupert, Nicholas and Henry) and lived in Arundel. By the 1970s changes in Iran dictated another move, Anthony training as a teacher and the family moving to Beaulieu. Come the 1990s, the acquisition of an old Victorian barn with 30 acres in West Sussex led to a successful equestrian business. Retirement and finally life’s end came deep in the English countryside on Bircher Common in Herefordshire.

Fellow young officers and soldiers of 5 RTR in the early 1960s will remember Anthony, like his father ‘Colonel Nobby’, for his kindness and modesty.

Kenneth Turner – 2021

Kenneth was chairman of the Bristol Normandy veterans and dedicated himself to them for many years. He was always proud to have been a Tankie. He landed on Gold beach D Day+12 in a Stewart and was on reconnaissance behind enemy lines until his tank was hit by an air raid on July 18th. He was the only survivor of the 3 man crew. Badly wounded with shrapnel wounds, one of which, a nut from his tank in his neck, stayed there for 50 years. He spent the end of his service in Italy before the end of the war.

Donald Clough 1937 – 2021

Don was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, and was the Chairman and Standard Bearer of Preston Branch RTRA. Don did National Service in BAOR with the 8th RTR as a Centurion Tank driver, and it was a period in his life which he enjoyed, years later, he renewed his interests with the 8th and joined their Association. One of the year's highlights was to attend the annual reunion at Bournemouth with Barbara, his wife of 64 years. Don married Barbara in November 1956 and settled in Blackpool. In the sixties, they emigrated to Australia before returning to Blackpool and eventually became hoteliers. A keen golfer, He loved the sporting world and was a member of the Blackpool Golf Club; his other passion was gardening which he shared with Barbara.Don was a wonderful family man to his wife and daughters, Linda, a Staff Nurse at Blackpool Victoria hospital; Janet and Susan, who live in the USA , their husbands and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As well as Standard Bearer for Preston RTRA, he also attended Civic and Military events in Blackpool and further afield. Don always said that ‘it was an honour to carry the Preston Branch Standard at the annual RTR March to the Cenotaph in Whitehall and at the Regimental Church Service. After which to meet comrades new and old at the Vintners Reception and Barley Mow Pub. It was a happy few hours, sometimes a little too comfortable.’

A Requiem Mass for the Soul of Donald Clough was held in St John Vianney R.C. Church, followed by The Committal. At the Committal, along with family and many friends, Preston Branch and Blackpool Veterans formed a Guard of Honour with the Standards. During the service a personal letter to the family from Preston Branch President, Brigadier Ian Rodley, MBE, was read. The coffin was covered with the Regimental Drape, Family Flowers, a Red Poppy Wreath and his Beret. The Royal Tank Regimental March 'My Boy Willie' ended the Commitall.

He will be sorely missed.

Major David Valler – 2021

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Major (Retd) David Valler following a period of illness. David will be known to many of you as an experienced soldier and a forthright, wise and knowledgeable Officer who was a source of advice and guidance within the Army Air Corps as it grew to maturity. Following a period of National Service in 1954, David enlisted for Regular service with the Royal Tank Regiment in 1958 and moved with the Regiment to Germany. When 5 RTR disbanded he transferred to 3 RTR, serving in Germany, UK and Sharjah. In the early 1970s he was seconded to the Army Air Corps for service with 1 Div Aviation Regiment, based in Verden. He subsequently transferred to the Army Air Corps as a Groundcrewman and by 1975 he was the RQMS of 3 Regiment AAC, which at that time was based in Netheravon. Shortly after that he was appointed as the RSM of 7 Regiment AAC, which was also based at Netheravon.

A year later, in 1977 he was commissioned and went on to serve in a variety of posts in the Army Air Corps including Quartermaster in 9 Regt AAC in Detmold until it was withdrawn from service in 1984, when he transferred to 4 Regiment, also in Detmold.

In 1985 he returned to the UK as QM for the AAC Depot Regiment in Middle Wallop before taking up the prestigious appointment as Staff Quartermaster for the Army Air Corps in the Directorate, where his experience and knowledge was put to good use at a time when the AAC was growing in stature. He retired from Regular service as a Major in 1989 but continued to serve the AAC as a Retired Officer in the Directorate and subsequently as a key figure in Aviation Branch Land in Netheravon. He took well-earned retirement in 1999.

Our thoughts are with his wife Diana, their children; Colin, Philip and Hilary.

Lieutenant Jack Greenway 1943 – 2020

A memorial ceremony for the life and times of Jack Philip Sydney Kelynge Greenway took place at Broughty Ferry on 23 January 2021.

Jack was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Sydney Greenway, who had commanded 8 RTR, so it was perhaps inevitable that he should join his father’s Regiment after Wellington and then University. Jack was commissioned into 5 RTR in 1966, based in Tidworth in the reconnaissance role. In 1967 he served with B Squadron during an emergency deployment to Aden and remained with the Squadron when it moved from Tidworth to Wolfenbuettel later that year. Jack left the Army after three years and went on to teach geography and history in Dundee schools, until his retirement. Married to Anne in 1967, Jack became a ‘kind, loving and eccentric’ father to Marion and Aileen. He was a keen hill walker, completing all the Munros by 1990, an enthusiastic fisherman and all round countryman.

Jack was a mildly unconventional soldier and having served with him in Tidworth, Aden and Wolfenbuettel, I can vouch for the ‘special sense of humour and eccentricity’ mentioned during his memorial ceremony. Travelling as a front seat passenger in his VW ‘ Beetle’ could be a risky affair. A rifle lay on the back seat and if Jack spotted a rabbit or hare gambolling in an adjacent field, he slammed on the brakes, grabbed the rifle and took potshots from the sunshine roof, over the head of his cowering navigator. Congenial evenings at the tiny thatched cottage which he and Anne shared in Amport often meant jugged hare, followed by a slide show of Jack’s favourite Scottish mountains. A small refreshment might also have been taken.

He was one of a kind and I will remember him with affection.

Fred Preston 1925 – 2021

In January 2021, Medway branch sadly lost one of its oldest members. Fred Preston was born in Dittton near Maidstone in Kent on May 11th 1925. He started work, aged 14, at The Imperial Paper Mills in Gravesend as an apprentice paper maker. Aged 17, Fred signed up in Chatham on 23rd February 1943. Doing his basic and trade training in Bovington he was then posted to 3 RTR. On D-Day+3, 14420427 Tpr Fred Preston, a gunner in a Comet tank, landed on GOLD beach, Arromanches in Normandy. 3 RTR fought gallantly through France, Belgium and Holland before the big push into Germany. Following intense fighting, Fred was one of those brave soldiers who helped liberate Belsen PoW camp. He witnessed horrors that he would never speak of. Not until near the end of Fred’s life, did his family discover what he had seen. Fred also served with The Westminster Dragoons and left the Army, in the rank of LCpl in September 1947. Fred returned to The Imperial Paper Mills, as a machine foreman and remained there until 1979. Fred married Barbara in 1950 and daughter Sharon was born in 1955. Fred’s family grew when in 1958 twins Coral and Lorraine were born. Fred was a loyal member of the Medway branch and enjoyed his time as Standard Bearer. Until his health began to deteriorate, he would seldom miss a branch meeting or the RTR March to the Cenotaph. The love of his life, Barbara sadly passed away in December 1996. He lived alone for several more years until it became clear that things were becoming difficult, so he moved into ’Copperfields’, a wonderful retirement home in Higham, Kent. His three daughters; he referred to them as ‘The Girls Troop’ , were always on hand to deal with any issues that he might have. He began to suffer from the onset of Alzheimer’s and became more and more frail.

In December 2016, Fred’s participation in the Normandy invasion was acknowledged by France and he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in the rank of Chevalier. No-one from the French Embassy was available to present the medal so he told his daughters that he would like to accept it from a member of the Medway branch. It was a wonderful event and there was more than one person there with a tear in their eye. Copperfields laid on a superb buffet. Fred went peacefully to The Green Fields on 19th January 2021. His funeral, at Thamesview Crematorium near Gravesend, on 22 February was well attended. The Medway branch standard was carried and lowered in salute. Fred was a quiet and honourable man with a great sense of humour. He enjoyed life and was totally committed to his family. He was a proud man who upheld the values of The Royal Tank Regiment to the highest level. His passing brought great sadness to all who knew him.

Frank Bough – 2021

There have been a number of obituaries and articles following the death of Frank Bough, the TV anchorman and sports presenter. He already had a football Blue from Oxford and while serving with 2RTR, during National Service, he was picked up by BFBS, the British Forces Broadcasting Service, to act as a summariser during important football games which they were covering. It was this experience which gave him a taste for the media and paved the way for his subsequent notable career. He was a thoroughly competent troop leader and a very nice person, with absolutely no showbusiness “side”.

Frank Bough and Chris Bonington (now Sir Christian John Storey Bonington, CVO, CBE, DL) in a group picture from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Richard M Everard MBE 1928 – 2020

Dick was born at Moulmein, Burma on 10th February 1928 and joined the Army in 1946, commissioning into the Royal Tank Regiment in 1947. With not a lot of tanking to do in that initial period after the war, sports played a large part in life and Dick slotted neatly into the 1st XV Rugby team as a thrusting and speedy centre three quarter, thus playing a role in winning the Rhine Army Cup in 1948 and the Southern Command a year later when the Second had moved back to Crookham, Hants. Dick was also a hockey star and as rugby injuries tended to disrupt the hockey, Dick had to drop the rugby for hockey. Hockey was in fact his first love, so this was not a problem especially as the Second then won the Army Hockey Cup three years running (49 – 51) with him playing at left half. One of the finals was against 8 RTR which says a lot about the high quality of hockey played in the Regiment at that time. It was not long before Dick was invited to join the Ironsides team, then containing internationals, Combined Services and Army players, and competed with the top club teams at venues such as the annual Folkestone Hockey Festival. The Second under Lt Col Eric Offord moved to Munster in BAOR where Dick took over Recce Troop. It was a busy time as the Cold War, with its nuclear overtones, impacted on battlefield tactical training but he still found time to become a regular member of the Rhine Army hockey team. A posting as Adjutant to the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) followed in 1953 before returning to Regimental duty again in Munster in August 1955 as a Squadron 2IC. Sports there included both Regimental and Rhine Army hockey and tennis, and Regimental athletics where Dick thought he would try the pole vault. He was a natural and with his partner managed to equal the Army record. A couple of years as Adjutant to the Second (56-58) was followed by a return to England. He managed to court and marry Valerie Anderson in October 1960 before promotion led to a posting to Singapore as GSO2 (liaison) at HQ Singapore District. This really did drop a square peg into a square hole as Dick’s energy, diplomacy and organisational ability fitted him perfectly for overseeing Op CONCORD which started shortly after his arrival to ensure a smooth transition of the base from colonial to the newly independent Singapore Government. Some feared that

with the Malayan Emergency just ended there might be problems with the base’s large Chinese workforce. This led to Dick’s involvement with Social Services, community centres, youth clubs and other Singaporean government organisations in a major hearts and mind operation. It was not surprising that it resulted in a well earned MBE for Dick.

On promotion in 1971 he was posted as GSO 1 (Liaison) at the German Armour School in Munsterlager following a language course. This began a succession of highly successful jobs associated with the German Army where Dick’s engaging personality, ready good humour and diplomacy once more suited him well for a role where both his work and social activities did much to help foster good AngloGerman relationships in the armour field. 1974 saw him back in the UK as Commander of the RAC Ranges at Castlemartin where Simon was born in December of that year. A great deal of the firing was done by visiting German units at that time and Dick’s experience together with this technical expertise prepared him well for his next liaison job at the West German MOD in Bonn dealing with the development of an Anglo-German Main Battle tank. Dick was posted back to Bovington in 1977, first into his old job at HQ DRAC and then as DAA&QMG at HQ RAC Centre.

On retiring in 1983 the family moved to rural Winsley, near Bath. In 1990 he became a founding member of the British-German Officers’ Association.

William (Bill) Jefferies 1928 – 2021

It’s with huge sadness we announce the death of our lovely Dad/Grumps, Bill Jefferies. Bill was born in Bedford and later moved to Lancaster where he joined The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment and was stationed with the Tank Corps in Egypt. Most recently Bill retired after long service with Ribble Motor Services as Traffic Inspector at Preston Bus Station. He was a founder member of Preston Concert Band, member of the Matchless Motorbike Club and Leyland Model Railway Club. Bill passed peacefully with his family by his side - to be reunited with his lovely wife Alice. The funeral service was held on Thursday 22 April 2021 at Charnock Richard Crematorium.

Tommy Cormack 1954 – 2021

Tommy Cormack was born on 7th January 1954 in Liverpool. He was part of Intake 72/15 at the RAC Training Regiment in Catterick which began in July 1972 and coming from Merseyside it was no surprise to find he was badged to 1 RTR. On completion of training at Catterick he arrived with others at Imphal Barracks, Osnabruck.

The first half of his career in 1 RTR was spent in C Squadron. Tommy served with C Squadron in Germany, Omagh, Hong Kong and Cyprus. In 1973, when based in Omagh, he was part of a mobile patrol when a bomb detonated just in front of his Land Rover. No one was injured and the driver managed to avoid the six-foot crater in the road. In Herford, Tommy took part in the Regimental nativity play, held in the Harewood Barracks Gymnasium. His role was as one of the three “wise” men? The three wise men entered the stable/ gymnasium, not on foot, and not on camels either. No, all three roared in on their Kawasaki 1000cc motorbikes, the audience was stunned!

In 1977 Tommy was on a course when he went out for the night to the Chequers Inn at Lytchet Matravers, it was a night that changed his life! There he met Debbie, and they married in 1980. The marriage was blessed with two children, a son Daryl and a daughter Natalee. In 1982, the Cormack’s went to Cyprus with C Squadron. There was a lot of cross posting between Squadrons during this period and after a year or so he arrived at Bovington to join A Squadron and as a DMI convert the Regiment from CVRT to Chieftain. Tommy’s disciplinary record was not untarnished during his early years and so his promotion to Sgt was delayed somewhat but he did finally arrive in the WO’s & Sgt’s Mess whilst in Hildesheim. He then made up for lost time, his character, professionalism, and determination won him many admirers. He was quite simply a brilliant Troop Sergeant. Further promotion did follow and when the Regiment moved to Tidworth, he was a WO2 and held the position of MT WO. After 22 years’ service he left the army in 1994 family settled in Upton on his return to civilian life. He was a truck driver for a while, then worked at the Upton Oil Company. He was also a regular attendee at the annual 1 RTR reunion in Scarborough. In June 2004 he got his dream Job and became a civilian D&M Instructor at Bovington, teaching young soldiers how to be Tank drivers. Tommy Cormack was in his element and stayed at Bovington until he retired in December 2019.

Colonel (Retd) Anthony Uloth 1929 – 2021

Col Tony was a veteran of the Royal Armoured Corps and Army Aviation who commissioned through RMAS in 1949, serving as a Troop Leader in 1 RTR in Germany, Korea and the Canal Zone during a busy operational period. He completed his Army Pilot training in 1961 and served with 6 Flight before returning to Regimental Duty with 10th Royal Hussars in the appointment of Adjutant between 1963 and 1965, which included a tour in Aden. He filled a Staff post in DA Avn between 1965 and 1967 and returned to command a Squadron in the 10th Royal Hussars. A rotary wing conversion course and a tour as SO2 Tactics HQ AAC Between 1968 and 1970 was followed by a period as the Defence Attache in Khartoum before rerunning to Middle Wallop in 1972 to fill the appointment of SO1 Coord in HQ AAC and as the Editor of the AAC Journal. A posting to a NATO appointment in Brussels between 1975 and 1978 led to a post in the MOD as Director of Overseas Defence Relations before his retirement in 1983. Our thoughts are with his family and his many friends.

His widow, Margaret, is now living with a daughter in Northumberland.

Raymond Bebbington 1933 – 2020

Ray Bebbington was born on 10th June 1933 in Hounslow, soon to be joined by his brother Vincent. The two remained close until the end. After leaving school he completed an apprenticeship with Jaguar, qualifying as a mechanic. In 1951, he was ‘called up’ for National Service. After basic and trade training, he ‘passed out’ from Catterick as Best Recruit. Ray was posted to Bovington to join the 7th Royal Tank Regiment and then boarded the RMS Empress of Australia for deployment in Hong Kong. He was the Troop Leader’s driver on an A34 Comet tank.

Ray was a staunch member of Medway and London branches of the RTR Association and was always present on Association events in the UK and abroad. He was the Welfare Officer in the Medway branch and was delighted to be able to help the ‘old folk’. He would admonish talk of being one of the ‘old folk’ himself. As Welfare Officer, instead of sending a bunch of flowers, Ray would personally deliver them to any of the branch widows who were in need of cheering up. Ray didn’t confine his generosity to Medway and London branches. Ray was also proud to be a member of The Desert Rats Association and travelled far to attend functions. Also a FreeMason, he became the Worshipful Master of the Peace and Concord Lodge in Sevenoaks. He was a frequent visitor to The Tank Museum and had a deep interest in all armour, always buying tank related books which he would never have the time to read!.

He suffered with his health for many years but would not let it change the way he was. I visited him during his times in hospital and I noted that every time, the nursing staff would be falling over themselves to help him. With a glint in his eye and sense of humour, he was especially popular with the lady nurses! He always repaid the nursing staff’s dedication with flowers or chocolates. It has to be said that with his dapper turn-out and cheeky smile, he was always popular with the ladies. He was chosen as the main character, Great Granddad, for the children’s book ‘Little Willie’, written by Faye Beerling, wife of Sgt ‘Wolfie’ Beerling, formally of 2 RTR. The picture shows Ray holding a copy. Ray finally went to The Green Fields on 10th April 2021, aged 87 after 2 days in The Heart of Kent Hospice with his brother and niece Tracie at his bedside. His funeral was on 5th May, a wonderful warm and sunny day. Ray’s coffin was escorted by 3 Jeeps driven by friends. Medway and London branches formed a Guard of Honour at the chapel doors and both Standards were carried at the service. I am sure that he is now at the bar in The Tankie Tavern in The Green Fields waiting to buy the rest of us a drink when we get there. The loss of our dear friend has left a great gap in the lives of those who knew him. He will be remembered for a very long time.

Terry Hendy 1937 – 2021

Terry was born on 22nd July 1937 and started his service with the RAF during National Service. In 1961, he joined 3 RTR where he was stationed in Catterick and Detmold, West Germany. Sadly, Terry had to leave the Regiment on compassionate grounds in 1962. Terry met his wife in a chip shop in Efford, Plymouth and was married to Eileen for 56 years. They had three children; two daughters and a son and had eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. As a family there were lots of ups and downs, Terry suffered as much pain as the rest of us when three of his grandchildren died, over the years, but together with his wife was always so strong and kept the family together.

Terry drove buses, lorries, and coaches but he spent a lot of time as a taxi driver. His daughter said I think being a driver was how Dad got to know so many people. We couldn’t go anywhere without him bumping into someone he knew. Terry’s hobbies were watching football and he usually went to watch Plymouth Argyle at home matches, but Terry loved watching any football from supporting his grandsons on the side-line through to Premier league matches on the television. In his younger years Terry loved to dance, he and his wife would dance to rock and roll, Terry was a teddy boy, and the Jive was a favourite for them.

Terry did everything he could to support charities. Terry said that he got through his health issues because God was watching over him and the least, he could do was pass on his good fortune and support others. Terry was always raising funds to support charities. Terry often took special needs and physically challenged children on outings, he would teach them songs to sing during the journeys. Terry would arrange for places like zoos, farms etc to waive any fees for admittance and he would cover any other expenses from his own pocket.

For 30 years Terry helped raise money for the Heartswell charity, now known as Hearts Together. He would get up early and travel to car boot sales to raise money for charities, and even though his health was not the best, he would be out in all weathers for hours on end. Terry would organise raffles, dinners and even go around to local shops and ask them to have a charity box by their tills. Terry used to dress as Santa and stood outside places like Asda, Sainsburys shaking boxes for hours in all weathers and he loved bringing smiles to children’s faces.

Terry’s health obviously got worse and after his wife passed away four years ago, he was heartbroken. “Even though Terry was housebound all callers and visitors were made welcome. Terry loved nothing better than having a cup of tea with his visitors and before long he would be chatting about his good old times. Everyone left with a smile and that extra bit of knowledge Terry imparted"

Alastair Campbell – 2021

Alastair was an infantry officer (Queen's Own Highlanders) for 34 years with operational tours in Oman, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Gulf. He Squadron led with 1RTR. His staff appointments included planning for the future size and shape of the army in the MOD in the mid-1980s; and in NATO HQ in Brussels in the early 1990s where he ran the Yugoslavia desk for the UK Delegation. As an Arabic and French speaker he spent the last phase of his military career in diplomacy as Defence Attaché in Qatar, Kuwait, Cairo and Baghdad. On leaving the Army he joined UNHCR as Senior Security Adviser based in Amman. He was subsequently appointed Director of the British 'Think Tank', RUSI, in Qatar where he was a frequent commentator on Al Jazeera and the BBC covering Middle East events. He returned to Iraq in 2009 where he directed security for a US reconstruction project followed by a year in Basra as liaison officer with the Oil and Gas Sector.

Alastair worked for the Aga Khan Foundation concentrating on security and development in Pakistan and East Africa between 2011 and 2013. In 2014 he became Director North Africa for Salamanca Group with the main emphasis on Libya. From there he joined the FCO Stabilisation Unit and continued to work on Libyan issues such as reintegration of the militias and advice to the MOD and MOI. Most recently he has been advising UK's Joint Force HQ on joint planning and deployments and has just completed an appointment with NATO in Baghdad as a senior adviser to MOD. He was educated at Eton, Oxford and Sandhurst and while at Staff College in Leavenworth USA he wrote a thesis on Islamic Fundamentalism. He has been a regular contributor to International Strategic and Defence Institutes both as a speaker and writer on the Middle East.

Lance Corporal Derek Martin 1RTR 1926 – 2021

We announce the death on July 9 of Derek Martin, longtime London Branch Member at the grand age of 95.

His son-in-law John Sills wrote after the funeral at Basingstoke Crematorium on Thursday 5th August 2021: “I wish to convey our thanks to you, and your Branch members, for your support. Derek was very much a military man and enjoyed his time in the Tank Regiment. We would like to say a special thank you to Alan Cooper for attending on behalf of the London Branch and the Regiment. It was perfect that Alan came from Southall which is where Derek was born and lived for many years, and where a lot of the family came from. One of his great grandsons took a shine to the wreath that the branch sent and will keep it. He was close to Derek. His cap and medals are going to a grandson (David) who is joining the Navy in early September. David is going to frame them. He may keep the regimental ties as well.”

Bob Swiniarski caught up with Derek in his care home in July last year for a ZOOM meeting and reminisced about Derek's WW2 experiences. He joined up aged 18 in March 1945 and served until February 1948. Derek was in Bockholdt and Berlin with Crocodile tanks. He joked that a Churchill would do 13 miles an hour if the crew got out and pushed; whereas a Comet would do 36 mph, had two Rolls Royce engines and a long gun.

He Feared Naught. Carl Neal 1959 – 2021

Carl Neal passed away on the evening of 31 March. Carl joined London Branch in 2018 having served in 2RTR 1980-1983. Carl had many interests including photography, fishing, was a rugby fan and also a great Poppy Appeal Fundraiser.

Those who knew him well will report that he had a wicked sense of humour. Sometimes too wicked as his many bans from Facebook illustrate. However, those same people will also say that Carl was incredibly kind and caring. He was extremely well loved and liked by all who knew him.

He was known to like the odd pint as well and boasted a fantastic bar at his house! He was a self-declared ‘gin guru’ with an impressive variation of stock kept on the shelf in his bar at all times.

It’s only fair that a mention of being a lifelong Arsenal fan should be part of our memories of him too. Carl absolutely enjoyed the informal London Branch Wetherspoon lunches that Allan Oliver organised, and in particular the company of those who attended – he became firm friends with the ladies ‘who lunched’. Carl knew he was not well and yet he kept a very positive focus until the end. He understood that every minute he could spend with those he loved was precious and worth fighting for. He will be very much missed by all who were in his life. Our thoughts are with Wendy and his family at this very sad time. His funeral was on Monday April 26 and around 25 RTR friends and colleagues from the Post Office stood guard outside the crematorium in his honour along with those who attended the service, sadly restricted to 30. Ian Tompsett carried the Branch Standard in his honour for his final journey. In the words of his good friend Jim Norquay: “Carl, you were from a rare breed in life, a true gent, a top bloke and definitely from the ‘top draw of life’. No doubt knowing you, on your journey to the Green Fields you will have stopped off at The Tankies Tavern, so until we meet again.........RIP Carl.”

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