OBITUARIES D to F
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It is with sadness that I inform you that 23250887 L/Cpl Bill Dakin of the Derby Branch WFRA and who served with 1st Btn Foresters passed away on 18 July 2019. Until illness prevented him from doing so Bill was a regular attender at the Derby Branch Meetings. Cards and letters of condolence should be sent to:Mrs Mada Dakin, 39 Victory Road, Allenton, Derby. DE24 8EJ. The funeral of Bill Dakin will take place at St Edmunds Church, 33 Sinfin Ave, Allenton, Derby DE24 9JA, on Monday 5 August 2019 at 13.00hrs Following the church service Bill will be taken to Nottingham Road Cemetery for burial.
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It is with sadness we inform you that 4984751 Cpl John DANN of Mansfield died on 18 August 2013 aged 90. John enlisted into the newly formed 70th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters on 29 November 1940 remaining with it when it became the 16th Battalion on coastal defence duties. In January 1943 when it became the re-constituted 1st Battalion he was drafted out to North Africa as a reinforcement where he was transferred to the 2/7th Battalion Queen’s West Surrey Regiment. For those wishing to write in condolence to his widow Jean, her address is 127 Ladybrook Lane,Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5JH
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Bridget Davies, wife of Maj John Davies late WORC R and WFR, died in Whipton Hospital on Friday 6 November, aged 83. The funeral is to take place on Friday 20 November 2015 at St Stephens Church, High Street, Exeter EX4 3LW at 1345 hours. If you would like to write to John, his address is Maj J N B Davies, 7 West Avenue, Exeter EX4 4SD
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It is with regret we inform you that 23243982 Cpl Cyril (Squeak) Davis died on the 27th July 2016 aged 79 years. Cyril enlisted into The Worcestershire Regiment on 12th June 1955, serving in Iserlohn, Germany; Kingston, Jamaica; Norton Barracks; and discharged May 1962. In civilian life Cyril started off being a milkman, then ran a fish and chips shop. He went to Australia for three and a half years. When he came back he worked at Garringtons for 28 years.
His funeral will be held on Thursday 18th August at 1515 hours at Worcester Crematorium, Astwood Road, WR3 8HA. Standards and Association members welcome. Letters of condolence may be sent to his wife Mrs Pat Davis, 5 Highland Road, Tunnel Hill, Worcester, WR4 9RR.
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It is with great sadness that I inform you tha,t 23856031 L/Cpl Ernest Dee from Worcester passed away on Saturday morning on 25th may 2013 aged 71. Ernie enlisted with the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in September 1962. After training in Lichfield joined the Battalion in Minden in January 1963, where he completed 6 years with the colours and was finally discharged after 14 years with the reserve in September 1982.
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It is with regret that we inform you that Pte DERBY XXX1 died on 1 September 2017.
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It is with regret that we inform you that LCpl DERBY XXX died on 27 November 2015.
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LCpl DERBY XXIX It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of LCpl Derby XXIX on 6th December 2013. LCpl Derby has suffered from ill health for a number of months despite treatment from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and local Vets. A new ‘Derby’ has been kindly offered to the Regiment by his Grace the 12th Duke of Devonshire KCVO CBE. The selection procedure is in process and it is hoped the new Pte Derby XXX will be available in the New Year. LCpl Derby XXIX will be a great loss to the Regiment; however we look forward to his successor carrying on this proud Regimental tradition into the future. Stand Firm, Strike Hard.
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Captain Timothy Dickerson died on 5th June 2020 in Norwich Hospital after a long illness bravely borne. Tim Dickerson was commissioned in 1962 from Mons Officer Cadet School and joined the 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters in Palace Barracks, Holywood, Northern Ireland as a Platoon Commander. He served with A Company in Colchester and deployed with the battalion to Cyprus on Boxing Day 1963 during the Cyprus Crisis then moved with the Regiment to Munster in Germany in 1965 when they took up the role of a mechanised battalion.
He left the Regiment in December 1965 and joined the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces where he saw operational service with the Desert Regiment in Dhofar. In 1970 he joined the Abu Dhabi Defence Force (ADDF) where he was 2i/c of A Company of 1st Infantry Regiment before becoming GSO3 (Int) in HQ ADDF where he served until the mid 1970’s. In retirement he lived in Harleston in Norfolk.
The funeral service is to take place at Waveney Memorial Park and Crematorium, Warren’s Lane, Beanacre Road, Beccles NR34 7XE at midday on Wednesday 24 June 2020.
Condolences should be sent to to Mrs Ann Dickerson at 26 The Common, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9JT
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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of 4669046 Major E C Dodsworth TD, who died on April 23 2020 in Malvern Community Hospital.
Major ’Ted’ Dodsworth originally enlisted in the Brigade of Guards but later transferred to the 1st Bn The Gloucestershire Regiment serving in the UK and in Kenya during the emergency in the signals platoon. He later joined the 7th Bn Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment TA and was commissioned. He served at Halesowen, Dudley and Kidderminster.
On the re organisation of the TA in 1967 into the TAVRA he transferred to the Staffordshire Territorials TAVRA111 and was based at Rugeley. On the expansion of the TAVR he joined Mercian Volunteers at Wolverhampton and eventually commanded Headquarter Company. He transferred to 2nd Bn Mercian Volunteers and commanded the Headquarter Company at Shirley and finally moved back to 1st Bn Mercian Volunteers as second in command of the Battalion until his retirement.
He was awarded the Territorial Decoration for his services.
In Civilian life he was a representative, based in the Midland Area for many years with Smith, Kline & French, an American Pharmaceutical Company. He was involved with his local Church, Christ Church Malvern and was a member of friends of the Malvern Community Hospital for many years. A very keen gardener and an allotment holder.
In retirement he served on a number of committees of the Worcestershire Regiment
until the amalgamation of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Sherwood Foresters.
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It is with sadness that I report the death of 24721794 L/Cpl Anthony Dolby. Anthony was born on 22 September 1968 and Enlisted with 1WFR in 1985 and left in 1989. Funeral details to follow when known.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 22353208 Pte Norman Harold DONE of Walsall died on 30 December 2011 aged 80. Norman joined the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in April 1950 and served with A Coy in Malaya. On completion of his National Service in April 1952,
Norman went on to serve 15 years with the 5th Battalion South Staffords Regiment (V). His funeral is to take place on Wednesday 11 January 2012 at 1230 hours Stafford Crematorium. The family would appreciate it if Standards could be in attendance.
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It is with regret we inform you that 23239269 CSgt Trevor (Jack) DOUGHTY of Nottingham died on 27 June 2013 aged 76. Jack enlisted into the 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters in May 1955 and served in Germany and Malaya. He continued to serve on amalgamation with The
Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in Berlin, Northern Ireland and UK. He left the army in October 1977 serving as a PSI (T) with E Coy 3 WFR (V) and then joined 3 WFR (V) as a PSI (A) with D Coy ....................................
411931 Captain Peter Graham Dunn 3 November 1930 – 19 October 2022 Peter Dunns’ father served in 2/7th Worcesters as a medical orderly and stretcher between 1914-18. Peter was born 3rd November 1930 at Wolverley and educated at Sebright School. After a short spell as a trooper in XII Lancers he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1949 and gained a Regular Commission into the Worcestershire Regiment on 22nd July 1950. He served with the 1st Battalion in Malaya until 1953, during which time he gained a Mention in Dispatches. During this tour he spent some of 1952 in Sarawak recruiting Dayak trackers to work with infantry battalions in Malaya. Following the return of the battalion to Bulford he moved to the Depot at Norton Barracks as a Training Subaltern, 1954-56, before returning to 1st Battalion in Iserlohn, West Germany, 1956-57. When the Battalion moved to the West Indies he became a Grade III Staff Officer in HQ Caribbean Area in Jamaica. He returned to 1st Battalion as 2 i/c A and then D Companies and as the Weapon Training Officer. He retired on in 1960. A fine shot he was part of the Bisley teams for 1st Battalion and the Depot, and was tasked to run the HQ Caribbean Area Weapons Meeting. On leaving the Army he tried his hand at farming before joining the GPO, later BT, from 1962-1990. He settled in Bewdley and was a very loyal member of the Regimental Association being a member of the WFRA Executive for some years and spent many years as the Kidderminster Branch Secretary. The funeral will be held on Tuesday 15th November at 15:30 hrs at Kidderminster Crematorium, Minster Road, Stourport on Severn, DY13 8 DE Donations to Royal British Legion. Condolences Can be sent to Peter`s Sister:- Maureen McIntosh, 4 Huntingdon Green, Ashford Carbonel, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 4DN.
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Brigadier GR Durrant CBE FRCVS Worcestershire Regiment/Royal Army Veterinary Corps 24th February 1932 – 11th May 2023 Although not from a farming background Geoffrey Durrant spent his early years with cattle and horses in Wirral, Cheshire. Educated at Calday Grange Grammar School, he worked on farms in Cheshire and Cornwall before attending Harper Adams Agricultural College. He reported to Norton Barracks for National Service in October 1955 and was commissioned from Eaton Hall OCS into the Worcestershire Regiment on 4th August 1956. The Army became the central interest in his life. He was seconded from 1 WORCS to 3rd (Kenya) Bn King’s African Rifles between September 1956 – August 1957. Deemed too old for a Regular Commission he immediately joined the Territorial Army and spent 9 years as a Lieutenant and Captain in the Suffolk Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry, while qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon at Bristol University in 1964. After practising in Blandford, in December 1966 he gained a Regular Commission in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) despite advice that he might never reach any rank above Major. Initially based at the RAVC Depot, Melton Mowbray, he was first posted to Singapore 1968-70 where he commanded both a Ghurkha Dog Company and a unit of Chinese and Indian troops attached to the Singapore Guard Regiment. He returned to Melton Mowbray to be both Adjutant and Veterinary Officer and in 1971, he was suddenly posted to Oman for the Dhofar Campaign attached to 22 SAS; an experience of great interest and intense activity that saw him awarded an MBE in January 1973. In stark contrast between 1973-75 he was posted to King’s Troop RHA in London. In early 1975 he was posted to Hong Kong where he commanded a Chinese unit attached to 48 Gurkha Brigade. He made numerous visits to Nepal to advise on Gurkha agricultural resettlement. On departing he was appointed an honorary life member of the Gurkha Brigade Association. Returning to UK in 1977 he served for three years as a staff officer in the Veterinary and Remount Department of the Ministry of Defence, during which time he defied the earlier career advice and was promoted to Lt Col. In 1980 he became Commander Veterinary Services, Northern Ireland, for three years before returning to Hong Kong as Chief of Veterinary Services. This tour was cut short as he was promoted to Colonel to be Commander Veterinary Services BAOR based in Sennelager where he cared for Pte Derby when 1WFR were based in Hemer. This was a time of consolidation of relationships with NATO colleagues and units in Germany and the foundation of the RAVC TA (BAOR) from British subjects resident in Germany. In 1985 he returned to Melton Mowbray as Commandant where he led the refurbishment of the Army Dog Training School, reorganisation of the equitation training, initiation of a Home Defence structure for the county of Leicestershire and development of the RAVC TA in the UK. On promotion to Brigadier in May 1987 he was appointed Director Army Veterinary and Remount Services at Aldershot. Over nearly 4 years he finalised dog training for all three services, developed Post graduate training for Veterinary Officers, particularly in the field of Public Health and initiated negotiations for the incorporation of Veterinary Services as an integral component of Defence Medical Services. He retired in December 1990. In January 1991, he was awarded CBE, Honorary Colonel Commandant RAVC, Honorary Colonel RAVC TA and his existing appointment as Queens Honorary Veterinary Surgeon to HM, Queen Elizabeth II was extended for a further four years. In retirement, he was President North Curry Branch of the Royal British Legion and was County Chairman of Somerset Committee of Army Benevolent Fund, Member of Council Veterinary Public Health Association, Member of Council Comparative Medicine Section of Royal Society of Medicine, and a part-time Veterinary practitioner in Taunton. He was also Honorary Senior Lecturer, Environmental Department, University of Leeds where his field of study was the impact of modern methods of agriculture on the environment and the sustainability of the UK soil into the 21st Century. In 2001 aged 69 he came out of retirement to assist with the Food and Mouth outbreak as a veterinary surgeon and found himself back in Worcestershire. His two sons were commissioned into The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and the The Light Infantry respectively. His funeral will be held at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, North Curry, Somerset on Wednesday 31st May at 2pm. Letters of Condolences may be sent to: Mrs Lesley Durrant, 12 Portmans, North Curry, Taunton, Somerset. TA3 6NL.
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We regret to inform you that Major L S Durrant of Worcester died on 5 February 2013 aged 92. He was commissioned into The Worcestershire Regiment in 1940 and after service in UK landed in Normandy as Adjt 1 Worc R. He was later evacuated and after service at the Depot went on to serve with the Sudan Defence force and 9 Worc R before rejoining 1 Worc R in 1946. He saw service in Trieste , Luneburg , Berlin and Iserlohn . He attended the Staff College in 1951 and after further staff appointments was Training Major of 7 Worc R from 1958 to 1961. He retired from the regular army in 1961 and from the TA in 1967.
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It is with sadness we inform you that Mrs Ruth Durrant BEM, widow of the late Major LS Durrant of The Worcestershire Regiment and a dedicated worker for SSAFA, died on 12 June 2018 a few days before her 100th birthday. A memorial service will be held at the Parish Church of St James the Great, Norton (WR5 2PS) at 1130 hours on 20 July at which her ashes and those of Major Durrant will be interred.
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It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of 14577577
Sgt T. C. Dutton of Bromsgrove aged 93.
He was called up on April 1943, landed in Normandy with the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment, in June 1944 and fought through until wounded near Vernonnet on 27 August.
After recovering he served in HQ BAOR, rising to the rank of
Sgt before discharged in September 1947.
The funeral will be on Tuesday 29th January at 12.30hrs (Standards 1215hrs) Redditch Crematorium Bordesley Lane, Redditch B97 6RR. Tel 01527 62174.
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It is with regret the we inform you that 14420659 Pte William (Bill) Wilson Edwardes BEM Ld'H passed away on 6 May 2019.
Bill was born on the 7 November 1926 in Islington, North London. When war broke out at the age of thirteen and a half he was evacuated out of London to Staines then South Wales. Missing home he returned to London and started working in an armaments factory making parts for anit aircraft guns. On hearing his friend say he was joining up he thought he would go along with him and join up, only being sixteen and a half he told the recruiting team he was 18 and got away with it. He took the 'Kings Shilling' and spent it on the way home on a packet of Woodbines. Later in life he fronted a TV Documentary on those who joined up illegally and under age!
After basic training he was enlisted into the Queens own Royal Kent Regiment and then the 7th Hampshires at Bexhill West sussex. He was then posted to the 1stBattalion the Worcestershire Regiment who were in the 43rd Wessex Division training for the invasion of Normandy. Receiving an injury that hospitalised him for several weeks he was going be sent onto another unit but insisted his future was with the Worcesters. He was told that he could only go back to the Worcesters if he trained as a stretcher bearer/medic. So started a six weeks crash course before his return.
Bill was in the advance party of his Battalion landing in Normandy, which they did after D Day, Bill was still only seventeen years old! All Units of this Division landed at Courcelles -sur-Mer by the 24 June, then proceeded to a concentration area near Bayeux. In no time they were in action following up the 15th Scottish Div into the village of Cheux, clearing Germans out of Mouen, Baron and other villages on the line of the river Odon. Their first real test was 'Hill 112' a very strategic feature for Hitler and Rommel`s plans, there was much bitter hand to hand fighting being up against crack SS troops and SS Panzer Divisions. Their first assault was not successful but the second was, led by 5th Btt DCLI who took and held the feature, then commanded by Major (later Lt Col) George Taylor of the Worcesters. Casualties and workload of stretcher bearers during this period was very high. The Worcesters had made attacks on the crest of Hill 112. The Division including Bill then took Mt Pincon. After the Falais Pocket the 43rd Wessex Div forced a crossing of the Seine at Vernon. Then Operation Market Garden at Arnhem and finally the capture of Bremen in May 1945. Bill was invalided out later that year. He told of his experiences and being very afraid when everyone was taking cover from the hail of fire and having to leave his slit trench when the shout for stretcher or medic was shouted for.
After much necessary R&R Bill joined the British Gas Corporation in Bristol in 1969, retiring as head of Public Relations in 1991.
In 1994, together with other war veterans he established the 43rd Wessex Association. It`s aims were clear; a focal point for Veterans of the old 43rd Wessex Division, the arrangements for pilgrimages to Normandy and maintenance of relevant Memorials both in England and France. The Wessex Association at one point had over 500 members on their books. He organised various returns to France and the places that the Wessex Division had fought. Becoming well known to the Wessex Association Patron, Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex.
In the year 2000, Bill and Worcester Branch members Dave Plant and the late Stan Berrow took a one ton boulder of Malvern granite at their own expense to the site of a heated battle that the Worcesters fought with a German tiger tank, that has become known as the 'Worcesters Layby' the Boulder has two brass plaques one in English and one in French was unveiled in 2000 in a moving Ceremony with Bill carrying the Wessex Standard and Dave carrying the Worcestershire Regiments Standard. The British entourage was well feted by the thankful French people of Vernon and Vernonette.
Bill was clearly the focal point and driving force behind the Wessex Association, he became Secretary and the very last Chairman. He saw to it that the Wessex Association Standard was laid up in Exeter Cathedral in 2015 and it now hangs beside to the Divisional Roll of Honour.
During this time, Bill became involved in the establishment of a corresponding Association in Normandy, L`Association ODON-COTE112. This French Association has its members drawn from the communes around Hill 112, the scene of the epic battle in 1944. Relationships have remained strong over the years to the extent that veterans and their families, associated with the 43rd Wessex Association are invited every five years to join the French in celebrating that famous victory on hill 112; ironically the 75th Anniversary celebrations will be held this year on 7 July, 2 months after Bills death.
In 2013, bill was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours List for his charity work in the local community of Chandlers Ford and for his outstanding contribution to the 43rd Wessex Association. Subsequently, he was also presented with the Legion D`Honneur at an appropriate ceremony in the D Day Museum in Portsmouth.
He is survived by his wife Jean, three sons and a grand daughter
A funeral service of thanksgiving and celebration for the life of Bill Edwardes was held at St Martin in the Wood Church at Chandlers Ford, Hampshire on the 22 May 2019. Worcester Branch represented the Association with two Worcestershire Regiments Standards, (one carried by Dave Plant) and bugler. Representatives of the Mercian Regiment were in attendance as was the Equerry for Prince Edward Earl of Wessex.
Letters of Condolence can be sent to Bills Widow :-
Mrs Jean Edwardes, 141. Kingsway, Hocombe Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 5BX.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 24344521 Dmr John Peter EDWARDS of Colchester, Essex died on 17 July 2012 aged 55. John joined WFR in 1974 and after training at the Depot in Lichfield,
was posted to the Infantry Demonstration Battalion at Warminster until he was old enough in 1975 to be posted to the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland. He served in NI, Colchester and Belize before leaving the Army in May 1979. Brother of WO2 Ian (Eddie) Edwards and LCpl Mick Edwards.
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It is with great sadness that we inform you that 4977545 Sgt (possibly CSgt) Derek Lewis ELEY BEM of Chapel-en-le-Frith died on 18 August 2021 aged 103. Derek enlisted into the 2/5th Bn The Sherwood Foresters in May 1939 and later the same year transferred to the 1/5th Bn and on 18 November landed in Cherbourg with the British Expeditionary Forces. During the months leading up to the Battle of Dunkirk, Derek took over from the CSgt in charge of paying the men’s wages and was appointed Lance Sergeant. In May 1940, Derek (as part of the 1/5th Bn) joined the 51st Highland Division and returned to the UK for a year. Towards the end of this time, Derek was injured as a result of an ‘unfortunate accident’ and missed his initial posting to the Far East with the Bn. Once recovered and fit for duties, Derek set off with other Sherwood Foresters, from Southampton, for the Far East however by the times the ship had reached Bombay, Singapore had fallen and the Bn received a signal to turn around go to the Suez Canal. In Palestine, Derek was dealing with logistics and then found himself transferred to the Psychological Warfare branch of the Intelligence Corps. Following deployment in Sarafand, he was sent to Italy to take part in the Italian Campaign. It was for his service there, that Derek was awarded the BEM ‘in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean theatre of war’. He discharged from the Army in November 1945 and worked in personnel and finance. Derek was a lifelong supporter of Derby County and was believed to have been the oldest football supporter, going to almost every home game for 88 years, less the time he served during WWII. He was an active member of his local RBL where he was President. In 2016, he had the honour of having a street ‘Eley Way’ named after him; whilst still alive.
Derek’s funeral will take place on Friday 10 September at 1300 hours at Town End Methodist Church, Market Street, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire SK23 0HZ, followed by a family cremation afterwards. All, including Standard Bearers, are welcome to attend the church service. The family have requested family flowers only and donations can be made to one of Derek’s chosen charities; The Air Ambulance, RBL, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Blyth House Hospice Care. This can be made on the day or by sending a cheque to the chosen charity to LD & a Tideswell Funeral Directors, 7 Station Road, Dove Holes, Nr Buxton, Derbyshire SK117 8DH
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It is with regret that we inform you that 23751669 Pte Joseph (Joey) Ralph EMMERSON of Skegness died on 27 December 2017 aged 75. Joey enlisted into 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters on 11 Aug 1965 and then served with 1 WFR on amalgamation. He transferred to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment in March 1970. During his career, Joey served in mainland UK, NI and Germany. His funeral will take place at 1000 hours on Wednesday 24 January at Ollerton Crematorium followed by a wake at the Canon Pub in Worksop. All Standard Bearers and Association Members and their families are welcome to attend.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 23806764 LCpl William EVANS of Derby died on 19 July 2014 aged 75. Bill served with 1 Pl G (HSF) Coy 3 WFR (V) and completed his service on 5 March 1993.
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It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of 24471862 L/Cpl Martyn Everard.
He Joined the 1st battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters in 1978 until 1991 and served in Colchester, Belize' Germany, Brecon (Wales), Cambridge and Omagh (Northern Ireland). He was a strong member of the Assault Pioneer platoon and later on MT platoon. He had the distinction of having a Cartoon Character “Everard Edbutt” named after him. He leaves behind his wife Sue and a large extended family in Whitchurch (Shropshire), Derby, Great Yarmouth and Barnsley.
The funeral is to be held on Friday 20 October 2017 at 1030 hours at St Alkmunds Church, Church Street, Whitchurch SY13 1LB. He will then be buried at Tilstock Cemetry SY13 3JL. The wake will be held at the Raven Pub SY13 2AF which is 1 mile from the burial site. All former members of 1WFR who knew him are welcome. If any standards can make the journey please contact Jessie James on 07949549744
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It is with regret that we inform you that 4986812 Pte Walter FARRAND of Retford, Nottinghamshire died on 16 May 2017 aged 93. Walter enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters on 15 January 1942 and after training at Great Yarmouth was posted to North Africa and then Italy where he was taken PoW by the Germans. He was sent to Stalag 2A at Moosburg in Bavaria and given PoW Number 142060. Walter was repatriated in 1945 and transferred to the Pioneer Corps in January 1946 for demobilisation. Walter's funeral will take place on 6 June 2017 at 1030 hours at St Swithuns Church, 1 Chapelgate, Retford DN22 6PL followed by buffet and drinks at Dominie Cross 38 Grove St, Retford DN22 6JR Everyone is welcome to attend to give 'Mr Retford' the send off he deserves. Walters wishes were for all to wear bright colours with one item of white on them. ....................................................
It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Major Mark H L FARRANT on 19 February 2021 aged 94. Mark left Eton as an Officer Cadet in 1944 and joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers, he transferred to the Cheshire Regiment before joining the Sherwood Foresters Territorial Force on 24 August 1953 as a Lt and he reached the rank of Capt on 1 November 1956. It is believed that he then moved to the Suffolk Regiment and the Duke of Cornwall Regiment and would have been promoted to Major during this time. It is believed that he served until the 1960’s when he was discharged after losing the majority of his hearing in a live fire accident when he was OC of a Weapons Support Company in either Bovington or Warminster.
Anyone that has any information regarding Major Farrant’s military service is asked to contact the Assistant Regimental Secretary who will pass it onto the family and museum.
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23551032 Sgt John Farrington It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of 23551032 Sgt John Farrington on 24 November at his residence in Guadacorte, Algeciras, Spain. John enlisted with the 22nd Cheshire Regiment and prior to the amalgamation with 1st Bn Worcesters. John played with the 1st Worcesters and WFR bands. He was discharged on 17 November 1980. Funeral details will follow when known.
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It is with regret that we report that 22326405 Pte Richard FAULKNER of Worcester died on 18 February 2012 aged 80. Richard served with 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in Malaya with 12 Pl D Coy 1950 – 53 and was wounded in a ‘blue on blue incident’ with B Coy near Tenang. For those wishing to write in condolence to his wife Pamela, her address is; 21 Ronkswood Crescent, Worcester WR5 1JY. The funeral is to take place at 1145 hours at St Walston Church, Cranham Drive, Worcester followed by a committal at Worcester Crematorium at 1230 hours. Standards welcome.
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It is with regret that we inform you that Captain Thomas Galloway FERGUSON MBE of Hythe, Kent died on 3 December 2017 aged 89. Tom was commissioned into 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment from the Small Arms Corps in 1969 and remained with 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment on amalgamation. He served with 1 Worc R in Cyprus 1969 before being appointed OC Weapons Trg Wing in Bulford where he was a strong member of the Bisley Team. In 1973 he was OC 33 CTT when he was awarded the MBE. He then went on to serve as Range Officer at Lydd Ranges before being appointed Range Officer at Hythe. His funeral has taken place at Barham Crematorium on 4 January 2018. For those wishing to write in condolence his wife, Mrs Lucy Ferguson resides at Dreghorn Villa, 107 Dymchurch Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6JR.
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It is with great sadness that we inform you that 465087 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ian Maule (Tim) Ffinch TD died on Thursday 14th April 2022. Born on 22nd October 1939, he started at Mons Officer Training School in November 1959 and was commissioned into 2nd East Anglian Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in May 1960; after commanding a platoon, he became Lieutenant Training BAOR in October 1961. He was transferred to 5/8th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters (TA) on 12th June 1963 as Platoon Commander from DSSC 2nd East Anglian Regiment (Reserve of Officers), transferring to The Mercian Volunteers in April 1967. Promoted Captain on 1st April 1967, he assumed the appointment of 2i/c of a Rifle Company and, upon promotion to Major in April 1970, he took command of a Rifle Company. He transferred to 3rd Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in April 1973 and, in May 1979, he took over as Battalion Second in Command. Upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on 10th October 1980, he took over command of East Midlands University Officer Training Corps. He became Sponsor Officer of D Company The Mercian Volunteers from April 1984 and of D Company 4th Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment from April 1988. He was awarded the Territorial Distinction. Details of Tim's funeral are not yet known but anyone who wishes to write in condolence to his widow should write to Mrs Ingrid Ffinch, 7 John's Road, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham NG12 2GW. The funeral of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ian Maule (Tim) Ffinch TD will be held at St Bartholomew’s Church, Elvaston, Derby DE72 3EP on Monday 4th July at 11am.
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24935549 WO2 Ian Fisher, A Coy, 3 MERCIAN (STAFFORDS) died on 05 Nov 13 from the wounds he received from an explosion of a vehicle borne IED, whilst serving on Op HERRICK 19
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It is with regret we inform you that 23732454 Cpl John FLETCHER of Andover died on 13 December 2016 aged 72. John joined the Infantry Junior Leaders at Plymouth on 10 August 1959 before being posted to the Depot Derby in September 1961. In 1962 he was posted to 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in Palace Barracks, N Ireland and went on to serve with it in Colchester, Cyprus, Colchester and Munster before being posted to the Depot in 1968. His funeral is to take place on 5 January 2017 and details will be promulgated when received. For those wishing to write in condolence his wife, Sylvia may be contacted at 9 Clatford Manor, Upper Clatford, Andover SP11 7PZ
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It is with sadness we inform you that 24430483 Pte Paul FLETCHER of Worcester died on 12 November 2016. Fletch served with 1st Battalion The Worcstershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in Colchester, NI and Germany in Pioneer Coy and MT. He left the Army in March 1983. Funeral details to be notified.
.................................. It is with regret that we inform you that 232494672 Pte Bryan FLOWER of Stapleford, Nottingham died on 15 March 2017 aged 79. Bryan was called up for National Service in 1956 and served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Germany, Malaya and Singapore. He left the Regiment in 1959.The funeral of 23249462 Pte Bryan Flower who died on 15 March 2017 is to take place at St Helens Church, Stapleford NG9 8FN at 1320 hours on Wednesday 12 April 2017 followed by internment at Stapleford Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Stapleford NG9 8AP at 1400 hours. Association members and Standards welcome. Afterwards at The Magpie, 187 Toton Lane, Stapleford NG9 7JD
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It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of 24095821 Lance Corporal Keith (Bopper) Arthur Footitt who passed away on 25 February aged 71. Keith enlisted in the Sherwood foresters in 1966 and also served with 1WFR with the Inf Display Team and also took part in athletic competitions. Keith also served with 3WFR until being discharged in 1989. The funeral of Keith (Bopper) Arthur Footitt wil take place on Thursday 2 April at 10:00hrs at Babworth Crematorium, Straight Mile, Babworth Road, Retford DN22 8FJ Standard Bearers, Bugler & Association Members and friends are welcome to attend.
Keith's family appreciate that due to the current Covid-19 situation and new Government Guidelines attendance may be limited.
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It is with great sadness that we report the death of Geoff 'Fozzie' Foster who died on December 29 2023. Geoff joined 1WFR in 1976 and served with B and C Coy's. He was discharged in October 1993. Geoff was a true character and a real Regimental Legend who will bw greatly missed by all of those who knew him. The funeral of Geoff Foster will take place on Monday 5 February at 15.30hrs, At Kidderminster Crematorium, Minster Rd, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8DE There will be a wake afterwards at The Old Beams Public House Dunley Rd, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 0AA
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It is with sadness that we inform you that 22139398 Pte Edgar Arthur FOTHERINGHAM of Carlton in Lindrick, Worksop, died on 27 April. Edgar was born in Worksop on 11 February 1931 and enlisted into the Army on 15 May 1949 and trained at Budbrook Barracks, Warwick before joining the 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters at Goslar. He was discharged on 3 May 1951. He then joined the 8th Bn until 1955.
His funeral will take place at St John's Church, Carlton in Lindrick, Worksop S81 9EG on Thursday 16 May at 1100 hours. The family have invited association members and Standard Bearers to attend.
The wake will be held in the Parish Center next to church. Should anyone require any further information, please call Andy Fotheringham on 07901 000 944.
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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Mr Barry Freeman on 4th January 2021. He was a stalwart and dedicated member of our Branch And Kidderminster Branch of W.F.R.A.
Barry was a real character. Always ready with a joke or piece of military information. Barry became a member of Blakedown and Hagley Branch in 1946 following his service during the war.
In 2016 he was awarded the highest honour that the French Government can bestow on a soldier The Chevalier National Order of the Legion of Honour for recognition of his part in the Liberation of France and for his efforts and impact as a British soldier in the alleviation of France from German occupation.
In his youth Barry spent many happy hours in Hagley Rambler Scouts, playing escape and evasion games in the grounds of Hagley Hall and he states that it was those days of learning to keep his head down that made him able to cope with the rigours of reconnaissance missions and so survive the war.
Barry was called up on 1st April 1943 and spent his first few months training for the Allied Invasion of Europe. He was one of the few soldiers ever to be allowed to shoot left handed but this did not stop him from becoming an excellent shot and coming third in a National Shooting Competition. It even helped to save his life.
He trained a Norton Barracks and joined 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. The Worcesters’ became part of the 43rd Wessex Light Infantry Division and Barry was given an American Half Track vehicle to drive Despite delays, on 16th June the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment departed from England, but due to bad weather they did not arrive in Normandy until 22nd June, at Mont Fleury –Juno Beach and Barry; off loaded along with Canadian units; drove onto the beach even though being partly submerged and facing German fire.
For the first part of the war, he was assigned duties as a water truck driver to soldiers and units in the front line, which saw him receiving more than one bullet hole in his water bowser. He was also assigned duties as part of Recce and River Patrols, all in contact with German fire. He took part in Operation Goodwood the Battle of Falaise Pocket. He was part of the River Seine Crossing where the ‘Worcesters’ were the first across the bridge to form a bridgehead for the other troops. He had many close calls, being injured twice, and lost many friends, but made many as well. He was part of the Canadian Unit when they and the ‘Worcester’s’ were the first to cross the River Rhine into Germany.
At the end of the war in May 1945, Barry was shipped to Panzer Barracks in Hamm, Germany before being demobbed at Herford and coming back home to work in the building trade.
He bought a motorbike (Norton16H) and joined a local church club at St Saviours Hagley, where he met his wife Brenda. They married in 1950, had one daughter and later moved to Stourport. Sadly his wife died a few years ago but Barry, at 96 although now unable to get around was always willing to have a chat about current events and Legion activities.
He will be missed by all that knew him.
The Funeral is on Thursday 28 January at 11.30hrs at Wyre Forest Crematorium.
No more details are available however due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no parade.
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It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Mrs Judith Frisby the wife of Thomas Frisby. Judith died on Sunday 17 February Tom & Judith have supported The Sherwood Foresters Malayan Veterans for over 20 years.
Her funeral is being held on Wednesday 6th March at 1230 hrs St Peters Church Higham on the Hill CV13 6AF. ...................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 22436048 Sgt Frank FRODSHAM died in Australia on 29 January 2016. He served as a national serviceman with the Sherwood Foresters before enlisting in the Worcestershire Regiment and joining 1 Worc R in Malaya. He then served in BAOR, the West Indies, Gibraltar and Cyprus before discharge shortly before amalgamation. Letters of condolence may be sent to his daughter and granddaughter, Mary and Emily Holdsworth, 6 Birkenhead Drive, Kilsyth 3137, Victoria, Australia.
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It is with great sadness that we report the death of Sgt Jimmy Froud who died on Saturday 27th May. Jimmy served with the Royal Green Jackets prior to transferring to the REME at Newark after his discahrge he joined 3WFR as PSI(A) at A Coy Mansfield. Jimmy was CSM and escorted the Regimental Colours at the presentation parade in front of HRH Princess Anne in 1977. Funeral details will be promulgated when known.
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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of 24380856 CSgt (Drum Major) Earl 'Sam' FULLER of Lichfield died on 29 April 2020 aged 60, from Covid-19. Earl enlisted into the Army, on 6 August on 6 August 1975, as a Junior Drummer at Depot Lichfield. On completion of training, he joined 1st Bn The Worcestershire & Sherwood Foresters in NI, first with C Coy and then the Drums Pln. Throughout his career, Earl served in Mainland UK, NI, Belize, Cyprus and Bosnia. He discharged from the Army on 17 June 1999. Upon discharge, Earl worked for the MPGS and then the Prison Service .
Due to C-19 regulations, the funeral will be restricted to family members.
Letters of condolence can be sent to his daughter:
Keeley Jayne Fuller 32 Cairns Street, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 2UW.
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