K - L
......................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 23515671 Pte Gordon Robert KEETLEY (also known as Robert England) of Nottingham died on 2 February 2017 aged 76. Gordon was called up as a National Serviceman in June 1957 and joined the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters and served with it in Malaya and Borneo before moving to 17th Ghurka Division. He left the Army in June 1960. His funeral is to take place at Wilford Hill Crematorium, Nottingham on Monday 27 February 2017 at 0940 hours. Refreshments afterwards at the Coopers Arms (Top House), Hoewood Road, Bulwell. Family flowers only but donations may be made to Army of Angels.
..............................................
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of 24184623 WO2 Trevor Dennis KEMP. In 1967 Trevor went to George Street Recruiting Office to join the Regular Army, unfortunately due to a childhood illness he did not pass the medical. The Recruiting Sgt told him that if he really wanted to join the army he should try the TA. On 12 April 1967 he went to the Old Post Office building at Canning Circus and Joined the 5th/8th Foresters. Shortly after he joined they moved to Triumph Road Drill Hall where he spent three years before they were re-badged as the 1st Btn The Mercian Volunteers. Trevor served with D Coy until 24 June 1989 when the 1st and 2nd Btn The Mercian Volunteers formed the 4th Btn WFR. He served in Nottingham with D Coy 4 WFR and when they were disbanded Trevor moved to HQ Coy 3 WFR where he served until 12 August 1996. The funeral will take place on Monday 23rd December at 13:00hrs. The family have requested no flowers and donations to their chosen charities can be made on the day. Gedling Methodist Church Gedling Road, Carlton , Nottingham NG4 3EX. There will be a wake afterwards at the Willowbrook Public House 13 Main Street, Gedling, Nottingham.
..........................................
It is with regret that I inform you that No 22672923 Sgt Maurice Kilminster, member of the Derby Branch WFRA, passed away on Sunday 16 June. Born 1.1.1932 Maurice was called up for National Service on 15.5.1952 and discharged 6.5.1954. He served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Maurice re-enlisted as Regular on 12.2.1960 and served in the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was discharged on 5.1.1982 with the 1st Battalion WFR. He was awarded the GSM clasp Malaya, UN Cyprus and LS & GC Berlin Orbat 1972 shows him with Command Company as a Cpl storeman Information taken from 1WFR nominal roll Belize Sept 1978: Serving with HQ Coy as Families Office Sgt and shown as rear party. F & F dated April 1981 Lists him as a Sgt 1WFR The funeral will take place on Tuesday 9 July at 11.20 hrs. At The Mail Chapel, Markeaton Crematorium, Markeaton Lane, Derby DE22 4NH. Standards and Association members welcome. Messages of condolence can be sent to Mrs Pat Kilminster, 10 Walton Avenue, Allenton, Derby. DE24 9JE.
.............................................
It is with great sadness that I report the death of 506285 Major Edward Cyril Kimberley (always known as Ted) who died on 11th July aged 84. Ted enlisted into 1st Bn The Royal Hampshire Regiment on 9th February 1955 and served in Malaya, Germany, UK and the West Indies. He was commissioned in November 1973 and as Quartermaster, marched the 1st Bn out of Wavell Barracks in Berlin in early 1986 and into Lucknow Barracks Tidworth. He finished his military career as the Quartermaster at Staff College in Camberley, having been the QM at the Depot in Lichfield beforehand. After thirty-one years' service in the Regiment. He joined as a National Serviceman in February 1955 and spent most of his first year in the Army at the Depot, Lower Barracks, Winchester. There he converted to being a Regular, was made an Acting Lance Corporal, and was eventually posted to Malaya to join the 1st Battalion. By 1987 he was only one of three soldiers still serving from those days of the Emergency in Malaya. In 1956 when the Battalion moved to Munster, BAOR, he was promoted to substantive corporal. Having been the best recruit of his intake in 1955, he became the best NCO of the 7th US Army NCO Academy, where he won the General Patton award for excellence and was elected the Distinguished Graduate, after which he was named "The Brain" by the soldiers. Ted Kimberley was promoted Sergeant on Minden Day 1963, the day the 1st Battalion received New Colours in Munster. On the parade he was a supernumerary Sergeant of No 4 Guard and remembered the occasion well. Having attended many courses, he was nicknamed the course NCO of the Battalion. In 1966 a new course appeared, which was soon to be feared by senior NCOs-Brecon. Ted attended the first course and undaunted by the challenge, successfully gained an "A" grading. At the end of the course he was posted there to be an instructor, and remained at Brecon as a W02 until 1969. In 1969 he was posted back to the Battalion as CSM of A Company and went with the Company to Belfast in August 1969 for their first Northern Ireland Emergency Tour. There he was nicknamed "Special K". When the Battalion was reduced to ' Minden Company, he was posted to the DERR, along with W02 (RQMS) Blake, W02 Wheeler and Drum Major Ferris. When [he 1st Battalion re-formed, there was a delay in his return due to manning problems, but he eventually rejoined in Hong Kong as CSM of B Company in 1974. The next year he was promoted to RSM, and he remained in that appointment until 1978. Within this time the Battalion moved from Hong Kong to Ballykelly and then to Munster. In 1978 he was commissioned, and he was given a Quartermaster's commission in 1980. He has been QM (Tech) of 1 WFR, QM of 11 UDR, and eventually QM of the 1st Battalion. During the Presentation of New Colours, as custodian, he brought the New Colours on to the Parade. As such, he was to become the only soldier on parade who had been on parade in the 1963 Colours Presentation, twenty three years earlier-quite a unique achievement. His three years as QM of the 1st Battalion covered memorable years , including as they did all the normal ceremonial of garrison life in Berlin. However, the first visit to the Battalion by HRH The Princess of Wales and his deep involvement in the Presentation of Colours, which required such vast, detailed planning covering the full spectrum of the Q world, were the highlights of these years and called for all his long experience and talents.
He finished his Army career as Quartermaster at Staff College where he was awarded an MBE for his efforts. There cannot be any more devoted and loyal Hampshire soldier.
.......................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 23682623 Cpl Brian (Buster) KIMMONS of Bolsover, Derbyshire died on 3 September 2012 aged 72. Buster served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Malaya 1958 to 1961 and left the Army on 7 October 1964. His funeral is to take place
on Monday 17 September 2012 at Bolsover Methodist Church at 1230 hours. Standards are requested to attend. .......................................
It is with sadness that I report the death of 24279496 Private Barry Michael King who died on 25 December aged 64.
Barry was born in Nottingham on 1 December 1956. He served with the 1st Battalion in Northern Ireland where he was wounded in a bomb explosion at Marcus Square, Newry, NI. In September 1978 he served in Belize with Sp Coy (Mort Platoon).
.....................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 14704066 Pte Eric Raymond KING of Warley, West Midlands died on 25 September 2016 aged 91. Eric was called up in January 1944 and on completion of training was posted to the 6th Battalion The North Staffordshire Regiment with which he went to France 23 days after D Day. In August 1944 he was posted as a re-inforcement to 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment after the crossing of the Orme and served with B Coy. On 20 September he moved with the Battalion in the long column to Eindhoven where the Battalion went forward to Elst and after fierce fighting cleared the town on 25 September. The next major battle for the Worcestershire Regiment was Tripsrath in November. In May 1945 Eric was again posted, this time to 2nd Battalion The Warwickshire Regiment and with it served in Palestine and Egypt. He was demobbed from the Army in December 1947. In civilian life Eric became a postman. His funeral has taken place.
..................................
It is with sadness we report that 14165488 Sgt Stephen KINSON of Ilkeston, Derbyshire died on 23 June 2012 aged 88. Stephen enlisted into the 2ndt Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in April 1947 at Nathania in Palestine. In 1949 he was seconded to the Royal Leicester Regiment and served with it in Hong Kong and Korea before being posted back to 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in May 1953. He remained with the 1st Battalion, serving in Malaya, UK and Cyprus before leaving the
Army in March 1969.
..................................
It is with sadness we report that Worcester Branch Member 22492451 Cpl Robert "Bomber" KNOWLES passed away in Gloucester Hospital on Sunday 8 January 2017 after a long illness. Bomber enlisted into the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment, MT Platoon. Serving 20 years, in Malaya, British Guiana, Germany, Cyprus and UK. Robert`s two sons also enlisted into the Regiment. In civilian life Robert was employed as a Ministry of Defence Policeman, then as a driving instructor. His funeral will be held at 1215 hours on Monday 6 February at Worcester Crematorium, Tintern Avenue, Astwood Road, Worcester WR3 8EB. Standards and members welcome. Letters of condolence can be sent to Mrs Jean Knowles. 10 The Hamptons, Wellington Road, Ombersley. Worcestershire. WR9 0EA.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
L
..........................................
We regret to announce the death in April 2020 of 23702049 C/Sgt William F Lainsbury aged 79. He enlisted on 7 May 1959 and served in 1 Worc R in Minden, Gibraltar and Tobruk before being posted as a Sgt recruiter to Birmingham in 1968. On joining 1 WFR he served in N Ireland and spent his last two years before discharge in 1977 as a QPSI with 1 Mercian.
The funeral has taken place.
.........................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 24515448 Pte John LAKING of Torquay died recently in Rowcroft Hospice, Avenue Road, Torquay TQ2 5LS aged 62. John served with C Coy 3rd Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment from 26 April 1979 to 25 April 1981. No funeral details known.
............................................
It is with regret that we inform you that Arthur Lambert ex Worcetser & psi Kidderminster has passed away.(more exact details will be published when informed Arthur's funeral will be on Monday 28th July 2014 at 1200hrs at:- Wyre Forest Crematorium & Cemetery Minster Road Stourport on Severn WorcestershireDY13 8DE Telephone 01562 740850 Afterwards at The Kidderminster Masonic Centre (The Kidderminster Cricket Club Ground), Chester Road North (Offmore Lane), Kidderminster, DY10 1TH. To which all are invited.
.......................................
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of 23418875 John "Curly" Laming, who passed away on Tuesday 5th July aged 85.
John completed his basic training in Derby in 1957 before joining the 1st Battalion at Norton Barracks, Worcester. John joined the Signal Platoon and after completing his training he was deployed to Malaya on the troopship MS Dilwara. John was demobbed in 1959.
Johns funeral is at St Mary's Church, Broughton on Friday the 22nd of July 2022 at 11.00am for service prior to interment at Appleby Lane Cemetery. Family flowers only please but donations would be gratefully accepted for "Cancer Research UK" c/o Jason Threadgold Funeral Director 19-21 Old Courts Road Brigg, Nth Lincs DN20 8JD Tel: (01652) 638888 Would John's friends please meet at St Mary's Church, Broughton.
.....................................
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of 311456 Capt Peter Rex LANGHAM MC who died on 9 February 2019 in a care home in Cheltenham, aged 94. Peter joined the Sherwood Foresters on an Emergency Commission, as a 2Lt on 4 Mar 1944. He was promoted to Lt on 4 September 1944 and then to a Temp Capt on 26 Jul 1946. He was awarded the MC in 1945 for actions when serving in North West Europe. He also held the 39-45 Star, France and Germany Star and the War Medal. His funeral will take place on Tuesday 19 March 2019 at 1330 hours at Willow Chapel, Cheltenham Crematorium, Bouncers Lane, Cheltenham GL52 5LT. Peter’s wife is now in a care home and there are no children, relatives or friends to attend the funeral. The RBL Cheltenham will be attending and would welcome the regimental family to attend to honour this World War II veteran.
..................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 22219593 WO2 Ivor J LANGSTONE MBE of Uttoxeter died on 12 September 2012 aged 85. Ivor served with the Royal Air Force during his National Service and on discharge in 1948 he joined the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment TA. He then transferred to the Regular Army in July 1958 and served with the 1st battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in the Caribbean, N Africa, BAOR, Gibraltar, Tobruk, Cyprus, N Ireland and UK. He remained with the regiment on amalgamation in 1970. In 1972 he served in Berlin as Weapons Training Warrant Officer with 1 WFR Command Coy. He also served with B Company 1st Battalion Mercian Volunteers as their Senior PSI and was a major influence in the
development of the Company where he was an excellent PSI and a very good ambassador of the Regiment. He left 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment on 19 December 1977.
.....................................
It is with regret we inform you that 4976669 Sgt Francis Alan LAWMAN of Worksop, Nottinghamshire died on 1 January 2013 aged 92. Titch joined 8th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in 1937 and served in UK, Norway and Northern Ireland before being transferred to the Recce Corps in 1941 (becoming REME in 1942) and served in Iraq, Palestine, Tunisia, Italy (Salerno and Anzio) before being returned to Haifa on medical grounds. In 1949 he rejoined 8th Battalion and was promoted to Sgt and given the new number of 22220840. He was discharged in 1961 after 24 years service. .....................................
ETHEL LAWRENCE It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death of Ethel Lawrence who passed away on the morning of 26th April 2023. Ethel was a stalwart to the military and was an active member of Chesterfield branch until her ill health. Ethel received an MBE from the Her Majesty Queen along with her husband Peter for their selfless efforts, of posting over 5000 shoeboxes of items to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. A letter of condolence has been sent to her family.
..................................
It is with sadness that we inform you that 23701751 Peter LAWRENCE of Chesterfield, Derbyshire died on 1 November 2012. Peter joined the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in 1958 and left it in 1967. He served in the West Indies, BAOR, UK and Gibraltar. .......................................
It is with regret that we inform you that Worcester Branch member 23000153 Cpl Michael John LAYLAND passed away in Worcester Royal Hospital, on the 19th April 2017 aged 81years, after a short illness. Mike was born in Worcester in 1935 and enlisted as a National Serviceman into The Worcestershire Regiment at Norton Barracks, Worcester in 1953. Mike undertook a PT instructors course at Oswestry, where in July 1954, as a L/Cpl he won the Inter-Section Flag Competition. Mike went on to serve at Iserlohn, Germany before returning to Norton Barracks as PTI Instructor. During his service Mike was a member of a shooting team. On discharge from the Regiment Mike worked as a fireman on British Rail, later becoming a train driver. On leaving British Rail in 1981 Mike ran his own security business called 'Shopwatch'. Mike enjoyed fishing and followed horse racing closely, being a supporter of the Injured Jockeys Club. Mike spent several years as Chairman of the City Council’s Racing Committee and was made an honorary life member of Worcester Racecourse in 1988. In Public life, Mike became very well known in Worcester and beyond. He worked tirelessly for many charities and organisations. He was Chairman of Worcester Carnival committee for 27 years. In 1966 Mike became a Labour Councillor, later in 1972/73 he became City Chamberlain and then 1973/74 the last High Sheriff of Worcester. His first time as Mayor of Worcester was in 1981, and then as an independent Councillor Mike again became Mayor of Worcester in 2010. He took the salute at the official closing of Norton Barracks in 2011. At a Worcester Branch meeting in 2014, to much applause, Mike received the news that he had become an Honorary Freeman of the City of Worcester, famous others being Lord Nelson who was the first recipient and Winston Churchill in 1950. After Mike’s death the local press carried endless tributes, memories and photographs of his work in the local community of Worcester, from hosting royalty in his official roles, to the aid of small charities and groups. Mike’s title in the press obituaries was 'Mr Worcester' The funeral service will be held at 14:30hrs on Friday 19th May 2017 at Worcester Cathedral. 8 College yard, Worcester. WR1 2LA . Family flowers only with donations to The Injured Jockeys Club. Standards welcome, with Worcester Branch Members to form a Guard of Honour outside the Cathedral. The service will be followed by a private cremation for family and close friends only. Mourners are invited to the upstairs Assembly Room, The Guildhall ,High Street, Worcester WR1 2EY. Letters of condolence can be sent to, June Layland . 75 Shap Drive, Warndon, Worcester. WR4 9NR.
......................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 23248517 LCpl Kenneth LEA of Nottingham died on 17 May 2012 aged 76. Ken joined the Sherwood Foresters as a National Serviceman on 16 August 1955 and was discharged on 15 August 1958. After his Army service he worked at the Sugar Factory in Newark before becoming a lorry driver. His last job before retiring was as caretaker at Milford Primary School in Clifton.
His funeral is to take place at 1115 hours on Friday 1 June 2012 at Bramcote Crematorium, Coventry Lane, Bramcote. Standards are invited.
.........................................
It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of 22288147 WO2 Raymond A Leadbeater BEM who passed away on 9 February aged 88.
Raymond was born on 14 December 1931 and enlisted on 12 September 1949 recruit then to 1 Bn Worc Reg untill 17 February 1964. Mercian Depot Permenant Staff 18 February 1964 to 14 September 1966, 1 Worc Reg 15 September 1966 to 12 January 1969, Mercian Depot PS 13 January 1969 to 31 July 1972, PSI Mercian Volunteers, 01 August 1972 - ROD 13 December 1976 .Raymond served in UK, Malaya, BAOR and the West Indies. He finished his military career in Colwyn Bay with RRW as an MOD employee. The funeral of Raymond Leadbeater will be on Friday 06 March 2020 at 14:30 at Pentre Bychan Crematorium, Pentre-Bychan Rd, Rhostyllen, Wrexham LL14 4EP. Family flowers only and donations will go to Ward 14, Glan Clwyd Hospital. There will be proceedings afterwards but details are yet to be finalised.
Please let me know if you are attending so that I can give Sue (Ray’s daughter) an idea of numbers. newsletter@stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk
.........................................
It is with sadness that I report the death of WO2 Jack Lebeter, who passed away on Sunday 14 March 2021 aged 96. Jack served with the Sherwood Foresters and the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters. Letters of condolences can be sent to : Mrs Muriel Lebeter, The Old Post Office, Cholmondley, Bulkley, Malpas, Cheshire. SY14 8BP. Funeral details to follow.
....................................
It is with sadness that we inform you that 23580147 Pte Kenneth (Ken) Edmund LEEK died on 16 January 2016. Ken enlisted into the Catering Corps in August 1958 before joining the 1st Bn the Worcestershire Regiment and served as a Regimental Cook, serving with them throughout his career, including in the West Indies, until his discharge in August 1960. The family have extended an invitation to the WFRA to attend the funeral: Tuesday 9 February 2016 at 1310 hours. St. Benedict Biscop Church, Church Road, Wolverhampton WV5 9EZ
................................
It is with sadness that we report the death on the 5th January 2022 of Worcester Branch member 23762584 Pte Frank William Lees of Martley, Worcestershire. Frank enlisted into the Worcestershire Regiment as a National Serviceman. Frank can be remembered for bringing his 'Champ' military vehicle to the Reunion on a couple of occasions. Frank`s funeral is low key at his request, no Association members required to attend. Worcester Branch coffin drape will be on his coffin. Letters of condolence can be sent to Mrs E M Lees 'The Briars'. Hillside,, Martley, Worc`s WR6 6QS.
................................................
Lieutenant Colonel Richard John Lees OBE MC 26th September 1946 – 6th June 2024 Dick Lees was born in Wookey Hole and educated at Wells Cathedral School before joining Bristol Siddeley. He joined the 11th Hussars as a trooper and was sent to Sandhurst. On completion of Sandhurst training he was commissioned into the Worcestershire Regiment on 15th December 1967. Following his initial platoon commander experience he was posted to 66 Army Youth Team in Worcester at which time his interest and expertise for Adventure Training become very apparent. He had a lifelong interest in canoeing, sailing (both offshore and dinghy) mountain walking, skiing and climbing. He was also a member of the 1WFR team that won the Army Orienteering Championship. Returning to the newly amalgamated 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 1971 he was the Demonstration Platoon Commander in A Company in Warminster and for 1WFR’s first tour in Londonderry in 1972. This was followed by a tour at Depot Lichfield as the Expedition Skills Wing Commander before returning to 1WFR to be the Recce/COP Platoon commander in Ballykelly. It was for his excellent leadership and the platoon’s work there that he was awarded the Military Cross, gazetted on 12th October 1976, the third generation of his family to receive that award. In 1978 he spent a year at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, followed by a year at the Army Staff College, Camberley to gain the psc+ staff qualification and was posted to Headquarters Cyprus as the G2 SD/Trg before returning to 1WFR as A Company commander in 1982 in Hemer, West Germany, for a very busy two years of armoured warfare interrupted by a tour in West Belfast. After two years as the Chief Instructor of New College, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he took command of 3rd (Territorial) Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in Newark in 1987. His final tour was as a staff officer in Headquarters I (BR) Corps in Bielefeld where he was awarded the OBE in 1991 for his work towards the deployment during the first Gulf War. At that time the Cold War was ending which prompted a change of career and he retired. His year long resettlement course was in boat building in East Anglia. Initially a student, he became Executive Director of the International Boat Building Training College in Lowestoft and a consultant on European directives in the boating industry. While mastering the exacting skills of building wooden boats he also rebuilt and renovated a timber framed barn. Settling in Norfolk he also made furniture and helped his new friends with building projects and learned wood carving. We was elected Chair of his Parish Council. Using his computer skills learned in the Army he and his brother build a website to inform people and change government police regarding the dangers of asbestos in schools. His funeral will be at 1100 on Saturday 6th July at St Mary's Church Ellingham, Bungay, NR35 2ER. Letters of condolence can be sent to his brother Michael at: michaellees1262@gmail.com or to Michael Lees at Station Farm Barn, Ellingham, Bungay NR35 2EW. ............................................
It is with regret that we notify you that 23534001 CSgt John LEIGHTON of Upton on Severn died on Monday 9 July 2018 aged 75. John enlisted as a boy soldier in 1965 and joined the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment serving in Minden, Gibraltar and Tobruk and with 1 WFR in N Ireland and Cyprus. He soon established a reputation as a fine shot and was a member of successful Bisley teams from 1965 until discharge in 1982. A natural shot he was arguably the most accomplished all-round marksman of the WFR era. He was a member of the Army 100 (rifle) 12 times, winning both the Silver Jewel (2nd place) and the Bronze Jewel (3rd place) twice. and was placed in the machine-gun, SMG and Pistol XXXs a total of 19 times. He was a member of the Army Rifle, SMG and Pistol teams on 14 occasions and of Army International teams 4 times. His greatest individual achievement was winning the NRA Service rifle championship in 1980. An exceptional record over many years which brought great credit to the regiment. The funeral will be held at 1200 hours on Monday 30 July at Upton-upon-Severn Parish Church WR8 9JQ.
........................................
We regret to report that Mrs Margaret Leman, widow of Col RGA Leman the first CO of 1 WFR, died on 8 April 2022. Letters of condolence may be sent to her younger son James@springgroundsfarm.com. FUNERAL DETAILS The funeral of Mrs Margaret Leman, wife of Colonel Richard Leman the first Commanding Officer of 1WFR, will be at Semington Crematorium Devizes Road, Trowbridge BA14 6HL at 12.15 on Thursday 12th May, and afterwards for a Buffet Lunch at The Milk Churn Commerce Way, Melksham SN12 6AD (approx. 1 mile from The Crematorium). Condolences can be sent to James Leman at james@springgroundsfarm.com
.......................................
It is with sadness we inform you that 5253920 Pte Edward James (Benny) LENCH of Kidderminster died on 10 December 2013 aged 95. Benny enlisted in November 1939 at Norton Barracks and was posted to 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment where he served with 13 Platoon C Company until August 1941 when he transferred to the Royal Engineers No 40 Movement Control. He left the Army in May 1946
......................................
It is with regret that we inform you that Lt Col Derek LESTER of Wirksworth, Derbyshire died on 25 January 2012. Derek was commissioned into The Sherwood Foresters in May 1946 and then
served with the Special Air Service 1955 to 1957, the Trucial Oman Scouts 1962 to 1964, then with MI 6 in 1965. He then served with the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion 1966 to 1967 before being posted as a Lt Col with Quatar Armed Forces in 1968. This was followed by an appointment as a Col Chief of Staff in 1972. Derek retired from the Army in April 1978.
....................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 23685890 Cpl David LICENCE of Humberstone, Leicester died on 19 September 2012 aged 71. Dave enlisted into The Royal Leicestershire Regiment in December 1958 and joined its 1st Battalion in Germany where he served in B Coy. He then transferred into the Sherwood Foresters in February 1962 and served with the 1st Battalion in MT later joining A Coy and serving with it in Cyprus and Munster. He left the Regiment in December 1967 and then joined the TA in 1972. Dave was a staunch member of Derby WFRA.
.........................................................
Lieutenant Colonel C P (Pat) Love TD Worcestershire Regiment, RASC/RCT 7th November 1928 – 16th June 2023 Pat Love’s father served in 2 WORCS in World War 1. Pat was born in Dudley and educated at Cotton College, North Staffordshire. Pat Love served his National Service with the RASC in 1953-5 after being deferred for several years and was commissioned in 1954. He then became a schoolmaster while serving a year in the Army Emergency Reserve. Having decided to join the TA, he went along to join the Yeomanry but discovered that it was about to be amalgamated. Nothing daunted, Pat joined the 7th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment and was posted to A Company in Dudley and Halesowen. In 1958 Pat married and moved to teaching in Cheltenham and, as a result, he was transferred to D Company of the 7th Battalion at Evesham. Pat assumed command of D Company on St Valentine’s Day in 1964. Then, in 1967, the TA and AER were re-branded as the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve and 7th Worcesters were disbanded; Pat found himself out of a job so he transferred to the Royal Corps of Transport (within the TAVR) and commanded a Movement Control Staff Increment. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in April 1977. As a Lt Colonel, he had to retire from the TAVR at 50 and was transferred to the RARO on 20th November 1978 having earned the TD and bar. Away from his Territorial Army life he was a teacher from 1956 – 1985 initially at Whitford Park School, Chaddersley Corbett, then at a Roman Catholic School in Tipton before moving to St Gregory’s and St Benedict’s Schools in Cheltenham. In 1975 he also gained a MEd at Bristol University. Pat Love was the longest serving researcher in the Worcester museum volunteer team having started helping out at RHQ at Norton Barracks in July 1985 on taking early retirement from his career as a school-master. At first he took on whatever was needed, but gradually he gravitated towards the family history inquiries which were the main part of his contribution to the museum. In addition to being a regular weekly volunteer Pat researched the volunteer elements of soldiering in Worcestershire and wrote “For Battle Prepared: The Worcestershire Volunteer Infantry and Local Militia 1778-1816” (1985) that is available as a bound typescript in the Museum library. Pat also wrote “For a Worthy Purpose: A History of The Worcestershire Territorial Force and Volunteer Battalions 1908-1920”. There were two other partly written projects: “Trouble in the Wind: A History of the Worcestershire Territorial Battalions 1920-1967” and “Defence not Defiance: A History of the Worcestershire Rifle Volunteers 1859-1908”. He also contributed a number of articles to Firm and to Firm and Forester over the years. The COVID pandemic 2020 brought to an end 35 years of fantastically loyal volunteering from an ever helpful, patient and exceptionally well informed man who travelled from Cheltenham each week. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, 19 July at 12.00 noon at Sacred Hearts Church in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Letters of Condolences may be sent to: Ms Bernadette Love bernie.m.love@googlemail.com LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE Letters of Condolences on the death of Lieutenant Colonel C P (Pat) Love TD may be sent to: Ms Bernadette Love. 2 Stonecroft Close, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 8SW.
...............................................
It is with great sadness that we inform you that 24578183 Pte William ‘Luc’ George LUCAS of Barry, Wales, died on 21 January 2024, aged 60. Luc was born in Banbury and later moved to Derbyshire and he joined 1 WFR on 21 August 1980. He served with C Coy in the UK, including NI, Canada, Germany, the USA and Cyprus. He was awarded the GSM NI and UN Cyprus medals. Luc left the Army on 8 February 1989. Following his discharge, he met his, then, wife and they subsequently moved to Wales and had 3 children; Jessica, Charlie and Elliot. Luc retrained as Day Service Support Worker, working for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, with people with challenging behaviour and disabilities, a job that he excelled at with his quite, thoughtful and supportive manner. His funeral took place on 16 February in Barry, Wales. Messages of condolence can be sent to his ex-wife (with whom he remained on good terms) at alisonlucas69@yahoo.com If anyone would like a copy of his Celebration of Life please contact newsletter@stand-firm-strike-hard.org.uk AMENDMENT TO THE OBITUARY OF PTE LUCAS Following on from the Obituary of Pte Lucas in Issue 8, please note that Pte Lucas was born in Bicester and not Banbury.
.................................................
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Major A W Luckraft, who passed away on 27 July aged 94.
Bertie was a great character who after school at St. John's Leatherhead was on Intake 1 at Sandhurst after WW2 and commissioned into the RASC in 1947 He married Rosemary, a serving WRAC Officer, in 1957.
He served much of his time with the Gurkha's and claimed to have commanded the last Mule Squadron in the British Army with 81 Pack Transport Company from 1958 to 1960 in the New Territories in Hong Kong. He retired early and became a School Bursar and Teacher at a Prep School in Bakewell and joined 5/8 Foresters TA in 1965. He served in C Company in Worksop when Brigadier Wilkinson was its Company Commander. He later served in the short-lived Derbyshire Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters in Chesterfield in 1967 and stayed with it until it became a Cadre. The Cadre eventually became part of 3WFR on its formation in 1970. Bertie was involved in many activities in Derbyshire including the ABF and being a Life Member of the County Cricket Club. He will be greatly missed by his wide circle of friends. After a Private Cremation a Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Holy Trinity Church Ashford in the Water on Wednesday 24th August at 12noon and afterwards at the Village Memorial Hall.. Donations to the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Letters of Condolence can be sent to Mrs Rosemary Luckraft at 3 Chapel Row Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1EL.
...........................................
It is with regret that we inform you that 24866936 Cpl Timothy John LUNDY of Worcester died on 16 March 2017 aged 44 years. Timothy joined 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in January 1990. Whilst with B Company 1 WFR he served two tours in Northern Ireland and saw service in Jordan, Yugoslavia, Cyprus and Bosnia. In 1997 Timothy transferred to the Royal Military Police, being discharged on 28th September in Bulford with Exemplary conduct. In civilian life Timothy was employed in protective security in Baghdad, Iraq protecting the British Embassy Diplomats and staff. After this he joined Wiltshire Constabulary then the Metropolitan Police achieving 3 Commendations and Advanced level two driving qualification. The Funeral will be held at 1215 hours on Wednesday 12 April 2017 at Worcester Crematorium, Tintern Avenue, Astwood Road, Worcester WR3 8HA. Family flowers only, a collection will be held in aid of SSAFFA Worcester / RBL. Standards and Members welcome. After the service mourners are invited to the Retreat at Norton, Worcester WR5 2PT. Letters of condolence may be sent to Timothy`s Sister, Karen Hunt. 55 Mandalay Drive, Norton. Worcestershire. WR5 2PL.
............................................
