OBITUARIES W - Z
W
It is with great sadness we inform you of the death of 4987713 Sgt Donald Keith Wakefield who died on 2 January 2023 aged 91. Donald was born on 11 Aug 1932 and enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters on 21 October 1946 on a 9/3 Engagement. Donald was awarded the LSGCM 20 October 1964 as Cpl. From 1970 he served with 1WFR until 1974 before completing service as one of the first Estate Wardens in BAOR from 1974 until his discharge in 1987.
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It is with great sadness and regret that I confirm the death in hospital of Clive Wallbank at 9:00hrs this morning. He had been suffering from cancer of the oesophagus for some months and having treatment in visits and stays in hospital. Our condolences are with his wife, Karen, and family. Clive was a very active member of The Royal British Legion, occupying County and Branch Offices as a member of Cookley and Wolverley Branch of TRBL. Funeral arrangements will be affected by the Covid-19 situation and the Chairman, Ted White, has extended our wish to be represented as much as possible in them, please. Clive was an associate member of our Kidderminster Branch for some years, being an ex Cavalryman with no local Branch of his own Regimental Association available and recently was accorded full membership of WFRA. He actively supported us in our Branch activities as well as his commitments to TRBL. We shall miss his comradeship, knowledge, willingness, guidance and enthusiasm in all the activities he undertook with the branch.
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It is with sadness that we notify you that 432312 Lieutenant Colonel Peter Frederick WALTER MBE MC* of Alderney, Channel Islands died on 28 June 2019 aged 91. He enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters in December 1944 and served in the ranks until 1952 when he was granted a Short Service Commission. In 1955 he was granted a regular commission with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment then on amalgamation served in 2nd Battalion The East Anglia Regiment until 1963 when he transferred to the Parachute Regiment. Peter then served with 22 SAS before returning to the Parachute Regiment where he went on to become CO Depot Para and Airborne Forces. After varied staff appointments he retired from the Regular Army in 1981 then enlisted into The Honourable Artillery Company as a Trooper before re-commissioning as a Major followed by being appointed Honorary Colonel in 1988.
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It is with regret that we notify you that 24003345 Pte John William WALTERS of Bilborough, Nottingham died on 27 March 2017 aged 68. John enlisted into 1st Battallion The Sherwood Foresters in 1966 and was in Drums Pl with which he served in UK, BAOR and Berlin. He continued with Drums Pl after amalgamation in 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. John was also a Battalion Boxer. He left the Regiment on 14 June 1973. The funeral is to take place on Tuesday 25 April 2017 at 1240 hours at Wilford Hill Crematorium. This will be followed by a wake in the Broad Oak pub in Strelley Village. All, including Standard Bearers are welcome. Flowers or donations to Hayward Hospice.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 24336423 Pte Stephen Michael WANER of Looe, Cornwall died on 28 February 2017 aged 60. Steve enlisted into 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in October 1974 and served in it with HQ Coy Drums Pl. He left the Regiment in October 1986. The funeral is to be held at Glynn Valley Crematorium, Turfdown Road, Fletchersbridge, Bodmin PL30 4AP on Wednesday 22 March 2017 at 1330 hours. The family would appreciate the presence of Association members.
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It is with great sadness that we report the death of 19038063 Colour Sergeant Donald Wilfred Ward who died on Wednesday 25th January aged 95. Donald enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters in December 1946 and served with A Company in Malaya in 1958 where he was burnt on the back by a phosphorus grenade. Donald went on to serve with other companies with MMG's Support Platoon. He holds the GSM clasp Malaya, UN Cyprus, LS & GC and Pingat Jasa medals. Donald served for 22 years and was discharged in 1969. After leaving the army he went to work for the Gas Board.
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It is with regret that we inform you that Worcester Branch member 24249372 Pte Graham Ward aged 65 of Worcester died on Friday 1st September 2017 . Graham was a staunch supporter of Worcester Branch and will be missed by all. Graham served fifteen years in the Territorial Army based at Kidderminster. The funeral will be held at Worcester Crematorium Tintern Avenue, Astwood Road, Worcester. WR3 8HA at 10:00hrs on Friday 29th September 2017. Standards, Bugle, and Association members Welcome. Members are welcomed to the reception afterwards at Claines RBL, Cornmeadow Lane, Worcester WR3 7PL Letters of condolence can be sent to, Mrs Carol Ward 16 Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, Worcester. WR4 9TN ............................................
It is with great sadness that I report the death of 477514 Major John Ward. John was born on20 August 1936 and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1955 and served in BOAR until1957 attaining the rank of Acting Sergeant. He became an officer cadet with the Royal Leicestershire Regt in 1962-63 and was with “D” Coy at Loughborough being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant Royal Leicester Regiment 27 September 1964 as Training Officer. In 1967 he was promoted to Lieutenant and Platoon Commander before becoming Lieutenant 5th Battalion Royal Anglian regiment between 1969 and 1970. In 1971 John was Captain and 2i/c Company in 3rd Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters. After his promotion to Major on 10 October 1977 he became OC Company at Derby until 1981. John also served at WFR/Edist STT Chilwell/54 Bde. 1982 to 1987, EMU OTC Nottingham 1987 to 1991 and TSW/DofE Officer Leicester/Northants/Rutland ACF 1991 to 2001: John holds the TD and Three Bars His funeral will be held at St Peter's, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire on Thursday 6th October at 12:30pm. The family would be delighted to see any former members of the Regiment who knew him. ...........................................
It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of 24357724 L/Cpl Michael Dennis Warner, who passed away on 10 February. Michael served with 1WFR from 6 September 1974 to 10 April 1989 and served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Belize and Cyprus. Michael's funeral is to be held on Friday 6 March 2020 at 09.40hrs. Markeaton Crematorium, Markeaton Ln,, Derby. DE22 4NH.
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It is with great sadness that we inform you that 25004933 Pte Edward ‘Ted’ Gersham WARREN of Chesterfield, died on 1 January 2023 aged 49. Ted enlisted into the regular Army in June 1991 and served in NI and held the GSM NI. He was discharged on 22 June 1996. It is believed that Ted was a Junior Leader and when he joined 1 WFR was in Drums Pln B Coy. Letters of condolence can be sent to Ted’s sister: Sharron Warren, 64 High Street, New Whittington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 2AJ. Ted’s funeral will take place on Friday 3 February at 09.50 hours at Brimington Crematorium , Chesterfield S43 1AU. All Association Members and Standards Bearers are invited to attend. This will be followed by the wake at the Victoria Pub, Knifesmith Gate, Chesterfield S40 1RL to which all are also invited.
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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Helen Waters, wife of Colonel Robin Waters died on 20th March 2022. Helen will be remembered with great fondness by A Company in particular when they were in West Berlin and also by the Instructing Staff and many recruits when Robin Commanded the Prince of Wales's Division Depot at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield. Details of Helen's funeral will follow when known. A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for the life of Helen Waters, the wife of Colonel Robin Waters, is to be held at The Church of St Mary The Virgin’s Church, Upavon, Wilts on Thursday 5 May 2022 at 14.30 pm and afterwards for refreshments at The Ship Inn Upavon. Donations in memory of Helen may be sent to Salisbury Hospice Charity, Odstock Road, Salisbury SP2 8BJ Tel 01722 416 353.
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It is with sadness we report that 25228073 LCpl Jamie Webb of Wilmslow, Cheshire aged 24 serving withC Coy 1 Mercian died on 26 march as a result of wounds sustained during
an insurgent attack on his patrol base in Nad `Ali in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 25 March 2013. Jamie Joined 1st battalion The Cheshire Regiment in 2006 and remained with 1 Mercian on amalgamation in 2007. He served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and was on his third operational tour in Afghanistan when he was killed. for those wishing to write in condolence the contact is Mr D Webb (Father) c/o Lt Col Temminck BEM, RHQ Mercian, Heath Avenue, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield WS14 9
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We regret to inform you that Mrs valerie Welchman of Wooton Courtney, Somerset died in 2012 aged 99, Mrs Welchman was the widow of Lt Col John Roger WELCHMAN DSO who commanded 2nd/5th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters from October 1943 to March 1946.
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Lieutenant Samuel James Holroyd WESTON TD of Wollaton, Nottingham on 30 September 2015 aged 82. Jim served in the ranks Pte to WO 2 at Nottingham University OTC 1950 to 1959, Private The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, 1959 to 1960: Commissioned 2nd Lt 1st Battalion The Hampshire Regiment 5 November 1960, Lt 5/8th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters 30 June 1961 and with them to 1967, Lt Prince of Wales Own Volunteers 1967-68, Lt The Queens Regiment (Liverpool) 1968, Capt Royal Artillery LAA (TAVR III) Widnes 1968-69, Lt Lancastrian Volunteers, Preston, 1969-1972. The Committal Service will take place at Bramcote Crematorium Serenity Chapel on Monday 19th October at 1145 hours followed by a Memorial Service at St Leonard's Church Wollaton at 1245 hours. All Welcome. Family flowers only by request, donations for PICs and The Royal British Legion may be sent care of A W Lymn The Family Funeral Service Deer Park House 359 Wollaton Road Wollaton NG8 1FQ.
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It is with regret we inform you that 3461274 George WHIDDETT died on 29 January 2013 aged 90. George enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers on 15 July 1941 later serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment and then the East Yorkshire Regiment before transferring to 1st BattalionThe Worcestershire Regiment on 19 July 1946. He served in Berlin, Germany, Malaya, West Indies and UK before leaving the Regiment on 23 September 1963
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It is with regret we inform you that 23686932 Pte David Elwyn "Chalky" WHITE of Bilborough, Nottingham died on 31 August 2015 aged 77. Chalky enlisted into 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in January 1959 and served with it until 1965. He was with D Coy 12 Pl and also carried out duties of Arms Storeman. Chalky saw service in Malaya, Cyprus, N Ireland and Colchester. His funeral is to take place at Bramcote Crematorium, Coventry Lane, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3GJ on Monday 21 September 2015 at 1230 hours. Standards welcome. Donations on the day to the Crich Memorial Tower Fund. For those wishing to write in condolence; Mrs Janet White, 29 Bracebridge Drive, Bilborough, Nottingham NG9 4PG.
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It is with regret that we inform you that Pte Terence White of Worksop died on 4 December 2015. Terence transferred to the Sherwood Foresters from the General Service Corps, and then transferred to Kings Shropshire Light Infantry in August 1944. He transferred back to the Sherwood Foresters in January 1947, where he remained until his discharge in January 1948.
Terence died in a care home and it is believed that he has little or no family members. As he left his body to medical science, there will be no funeral. However the Registrar will be holding a memorial service for him on Friday 8th January at 2pm. It is to be held at The Victoria Suite, Worksop Registration Office, Memorial Avenue, Worksop, S80 2BP. All members of the Regimental Family, including Standards, are invited to attend.
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461518 Captain Keith Brian WHITTLE Captain Keith Brian Whittle died on 10th August 2020 after a long and very courageous battle against cancer. Keith was born in 1939, the son of a Sherwood Forester. His father was made a POW at Tobruk in 1942 returning to the UK in 1945 to be posted to the Depot in Derby. Keith attended school in Derby. He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters from RMA Sandhurst in July 1959, thereby entering a regiment in which both his father and his brother served. He joined the battalion in Malaya towards the end of the Malayan Emergency and was with them when they moved to Singapore as the Garrison Battalion. When the 1st Battalion returned to be based in Church Crookham in 1963 Keith was seconded to the Sarawak Rangers, recruiting soldiers in Sabah, training them in Malaysia and being on active service with them during the Indonesian Confrontation (Konfrontasi). He rejoined the battalion in Germany in 1966 when they were in the mechanised role as 2i/c B Company. As both he and his company commander had served in Malaya they were able to talk on the radio net in Malay, which not only confused the Russians but also their higher HQ! Keith also attended the AFV 432 Flotation Course and was skilled at ensuring the battalion’s vehicles could swim across the River Weser. He left the Army in 1969 prior to amalgamation and served with the Abu Dhabi Defence Force before being employed by Carreras Rothmans as the company representative for the Gulf region. He then moved to work in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia until 1982. In semi-retirement in Berkshire he was involved in property in London, local politics, including a spell with the local County Council, fund raising for Great Ormond Street and Marlborough College and partnership in family firms in The Netherlands. He will be remembered as a larger then life character and will be greatly missed by his brother officers. He is survived by his wife, Margot, who is currently in poor health in hospital, a son Mark and two daughters, Suzanne and Nicola. Letters of condolence should be sent ℅ Malmo, Waingels Road, Twyford, READING, Berkshire RG10 0UA. Details of funeral arrangements to follow.
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It is with regret we report that Captain Neville Parker WILDGUST of Lambley, Nottinghamshire died on 22 April 2012 aged 89. Neville served with the 70th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in 1940 before being granted an emergency commission with the Green Howards. He then re-joined the 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in 1942 before being posted to the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. He was severely wounded in Sedjenane, Tunisia in March 1943 and was hospitalised until September 1944 when he was medically downgraded to administration duties only and offered discharge. He opted to remain in the Army and finished his service with 11 Battalion York and Lancashire Regiment. He was a stalwart member of the 2nd/5th Sherwood Foresters Wartime
Branch WFRA His funeral is to take place on Tuesday 15 May at 1100 hours at Holy Trinity Parish Church, 36 Church Street, Lambley NG4 4QB.
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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of WO2 Glen Wilkinson. Glen joined the ACC Regular Army in 1968, before joining 3WFR in 1975 - 76. Glen was CSM with A Coy and E Coy before becoming WO2 RRTT. The funeral will be held on Wednesday 30 October at 10:15hrs.
Glen's family have requested Standard bearers. It was Glen's wish for all men to wear pink ties.
Mansfield Crematorium, Derby Rd, Mansfield. NG18 5BJ.
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It is with regret we inform you that 5252332 Sgt John “Jack” Walter WILKINSON of Dudley died on 9 January 2014 aged 92. Jack joined 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment and served with it throughout the Second World War in UK, India and Burma. His funeral is to take place at Lower Gornal Crematorium, Chase Road, Gornalwood, Dudley DY3 2RL on Thursday 30 January 2014 at 1220 hours.
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It is with great sadness that we report the death at the age of 89 on Christmas Day of Joy Wilkinson, the lovely and loving wife of Brigadier Edward Wilkinson. Joy was a keen supporter of all Brigadier Edward's military activities in the 8th and 5/8th Sherwood Foresters, the Mercian Volunteers and 3WFR, as well as her own charitable work and crucial support to him in his year as Derbyshire High Sheriff. She will be sorely missed by him and their son Tim and daughter Sarah. Letters of condolence should be addressed to Brigadier Edward Wilkinson CBE TD DL at 'Thornbury' , Greaves Lane, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell. Derbyshire. DE45 1QH.The funeral of Joy Wilkinson will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Ashford in the Water on Monday 24th January at 11:30hrs. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the Suffolk Punch Trust via their website or Woodbridge IP12 3LA. Enquiries to JW & J Mettam Funeral Directors, Granby Croft, Bakewell DE45 1ET.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 23766628 Pte Kenneth WILKINSON of Alvaston, Derbyshire died on 14 December 2018 aged 80. Ken was called up for National Service in March 1960 and posted to 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters and served with it in Malaya and North Ireland. He was demobbed in February 1962. Ken was a long time member and staunch supporter of Derby Branch WFRA. His funeral is to be held on Friday 28th Dec 2018 at Trent Valley Crematorium, Derby Road, Aston on Trent, DE72 2AF at 1030 hours and afterwards at Nunsfield House Social Club. 33 Boulton Lane DE24 0FD.
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It is with sadness that we notify you that 14880279 Cpl Gordon WILLETTS of Dudley died on 19 October 2016 aged 90. Gordon enlisted on 7 December 1944 at Bodmin and served with the RAF – VR from May 1944 to December 1944 when he transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment and joined 8th Battalion. In June 1945 he was posted to the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment joining it in Calcutta, India. In March 1947 he transferred to 1st Bn Garrison Light Infantry and in September 1947 returned to UK where he was discharged at Aldershot on 26 March 1948. In civilian life he became a senior supervisor in the Fettling Dept in an Iron Foundry. His funeral is to take place on Friday 4 November 2016 at 1220 hours at Gornal Wood Crematorium, Chase Road, Dudley DY3 2RL. Standards welcome. For those wishing to write in condolence his wife Patricia can be contacted at 194 The Broadway, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 3DR
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It is with sadness that we inform you that 4986895 Cpl George WILLIAMS of Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, died on Saturday 22 October 2011. George enlisted into the 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in January 1942 and served with it in North Africa and Italy where he was badly wounded. He left the Army in January 1947. His funeral is to take place at Longmoor Cemetery, Longmoor Lane, Breaston, Derbyshire on Monday 31 October 2011 at 10 am. Branch Standards are welcome to attend
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We regret to announce the death on Friday 7 July 2017 of Sandy Willmore, daughter of Colonel Dennis Millar, Sherwood Foresters and wife of Lt Col Hugh Willmore, Staffordshire Regiment. Sandy had been ill for some time. A private funeral will be held in Northumberland and a memorial service is to be held at a future date - details to follow. Condolences may be sent to Hugh Willmore, 4 Garden Terrace, Lesbury, Northumberland, NE66 3PR. Tel No 01665 830794, or email hughwillmore@yahoo.co.uk. .............................................
OBITUARY It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of 23646858 Pte Raymond ‘Ray’ WILSON of South Normanton, on 4 August 2021, aged 83. Ray (who was also known as ‘Willow’ in his service days), joined 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters in either 1958 or 1959 and served in Malaya and Singapore. He left the army following his National Service in 1961 and was later recalled to deploy to Burma and then stood down. He was awarded the National Service Medal and GSM and later the Pingat medal. Following his discharge, Ray worked as a bricklayer. His funeral took place on 19 August at Amber Valley Crematorium
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It is with sadness that we notify you that 23547712 WO2 Peter WILTSHIRE of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire died on 3 April 2016 aged 73. Peter enlisted as a boy soldier in 1958 and posted to 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in January 1961. In 1970 when it became The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment he was serving as a Sgt at the Junior Trg Regt in Troon. Peter went on to serve as a Pl Sgt and Provost Sgt in Berlin before moving to the Recruiting Team at Worcester in 1975. In 1977 he was CQMS in Belize and Colchester, 1979 he became CSM then TQMS in Hemer before serving his last six months at the Depot in Lichfield. He left the Army in March 1983.
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It is with regret that we inform you that 14714234 Pte Roland WINTERTON of Leicester died on 4 March 2017 aged 92. Roland transferred into the Sherwood Foresters from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1945 and was discharged in 1947. His funeral is to take place on Monday 27 March 2017 at 1145 hours at Loughborough Crematorium, Leicester Road, Loughborough LE11 2AF with the wake being held at Charnwod Lodge, 136 Leicester Road, Loughborough LE11 2AQ. Family flowers only. The family would appreciate the presence of any Association members and Standards.
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498210 Major Jeremy Paul Witcher Jerry Witcher came from Hampshire and went to Peter Symonds School, Winchester, prior to enlisting in November 1973 and going to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in November 1974. He joined the 1st Battalion in Ballykelly in 1975 serving also in Colchester before returning to Northern Ireland for the South Armagh tour in 1977. A good shot, in Colchester he trained with the Bisley team where he was known for his ready wit and warm personality. He spent two years as a recruit platoon commander at Depot, the Prince of Wales Division, Lichfield. He flirted with the idea of transferring to the RMP before returning to 1WFR in Hemer, West Germany, as a Company Second in Command. A tour that included being a Company Operations Officer in West Belfast in 1982. In 1983 he took command of 33 Cadet Training Team followed by two years as SO3 G3 (Trg) in HQ British Forces Hong Kong from 1985. He was selected and attended the Army Staff College (Camberley) in 1987 and was subsequently posted to be SO2 G3 (Ops/Plans) HQ South East District, Aldershot, between 1988-1990. He was a company commander at Depot Lichfield at its closure and led the relocation of recruit training to the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery at Bramcote before retiring from the Army in November 1993. An enthusiastic adventurer he led kayaking and canoeing expeditions in Brunei and Canada so joining World Challenge, the schools expedition company, on leaving the Army was a natural move. He and his wife Amanda retired to Varazdin, Croatia, in 2008 where they started up Schools Own Adventure which hosted UK schools on courses in adventure (mostly DofE Gold), geography, business studies and general cultural appreciation. Schools Own closed in 2021 due to Covid. His tragic early death was as a result of a fall when climbing in Croatia. Jerry’s daughters are arranging a memorial service in Winchester on November 19th details of which will be promulgated when known.
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It is with regret that we announce the death of 23657921 Cpl Trevor Wolley who passed away on 17 June aged 87. Trevor was born on 27 July 1933 in Chesterfield and enlisted in the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 5 May 1958, he was a Coy operator and had passed cadre in Platoon weapons at Hythe "C" Army Outward Bound Towyn. Trevor served with Recce Platoon in Malaya and Cyprus and holds the GSM Clasp Malaya, UN Cyprus and was discharged on 4 May 1964. The funeral will take place at 15:30hrs on Monday 29 June. Peterborough Crematorium, Mowbray Rd, Peterborough PE6 7JE Letter of condolence can be sent to Trevor's widow. Mrs Ann Woolley, 2 Barkston Drive, Peterborough, PE1 4LA
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Lt Col Arthur Richard WOOD of North Cadbury, Somerset died on 22 April 2017 aged 74. He was commissioned into The Worcestershire Regiment in 1962 and served in 1 Worc R in BAOR, Gibraltar and Tobruk, with IJLB, and as a company commander in The Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces during the Dhofar campaign. He returned to 1 WFR in Berlin, served with 1 Staffords in NI and Belize and with 1 WFR, 1 RRW and HQ UDR in NI. He also served on the staff in BAOR and the Falklands and as Training Major with 1 MERCIAN Volunteers. On promotion he commanded the Warminster Support Unit and on retiring in 1993 remained in Warminster as a RO. Funeral at St Michael's Church, North Cadbury, Somerset BA22 7 DR at 1430 hours on Friday 5 May 2017
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24493434 L/Cpl Derek "Chippy" Wood It is with great sadness that we report the death of Derek "Chippy" Wood who died on Sunday 16 June 2024 after a short illness. Derek served with 1WFR from 1978 until 1990. The funeral of Derek "Chippy" Wood will take place at 14.30hrs on Tuesday 16 July 2024 at the Wyre Forest Crematorium, Minster Rd, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8DE. Flowers do not need to sent however donations to the Kemp Wyre Forest Hospice on behalf of Derek "Chippy" Wood using their homepage. https://donate.kemphospice.org.uk/.
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It is with regret that we inform you that LCpl Harold William WOOD of Derby died on 30 August 2018 aged 84. Harold served in the Sherwood Foresters in the early 1950’s in the UK and Germany and was a boxer. Upon leaving the Army, he was a textile spinner. The family do not have any further information on his career in the army and would be grateful of any further information. Details can be sent to RHQ Nottingham. Harold’s funeral will take place on Monday 10 September at 1400 hours at Markeaton Crematorium, Derby DE22 4NH. All are welcome to attend including Standard Bearers.
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425899 Colonel John Wooddisse DL died on 18th October 2021 after a short illness aged 87. John Wooddisse enlisted in to the Army at Normanton Barracks, Derby on 3rd February 1952. He attended Officer Training at Eaton Hall in August 1952 and was commissioned into the 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters in December 1952, the regiment his father, Major Ralph Wooddisse had served in before him. John joined the 1st Battalion in Derna, Cyrenaica at the foot of Djebel Akhdar and became a Mortar Platoon Commander. In Derna one of the pastimes was hunting and his recollections were peppered with amusing stories of the Derna Djebel Hunt. In 1955 John moved to Sennelager, continuing as both a Mortar Platoon and a Rifle Platoon Commander. In August the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the regiment amalgamated and in 1956 John joined the 1st Bn The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in Negri Sambilan, Peri and East Johore during operations against the Communist Terrorists (CT). In his book he described operations to ambush CT with the late Col Peter Walter. John became OC Training Wing of 1 R Lincolns in Minden in 1958, then OC HQ Company. The reorganisation of the Army at that time saw John move to the newly formed 1st Bn 2nd East Anglian Regiment before becoming the Staff Captain Q in HQ 12 Infantry Brigade in Osnabruck. After training at the Arabic Language School in Aden John joined the Northern Frontier Regiment of the Sultan's Armed Forces in May 1964. The photo above shows John with Sheik Nasser bin Abdulla al Awani, premier Sheik on the Jebel Akhdar at Saiq. In early 1966 when then moved to be Adjutant of 4th/6th Bn The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. In 1967 he returned to the now renamed 2nd Bn The Royal Anglian Regiment as a Company Commander. In early 1969 he married Ann in Dublin and was then posted to HQ Dhekalia Area NEARELF in Cyprus as a GSO2. In 1972 he joined 3rd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment in BAOR and completed two Northern Ireland tours, one in the Lower Falls in Belfast and one in the Creggan in Londonderry. This was followed by tour in HQ BAOR in Rhiendhalen as GSO2 CSIT. In 1976 he was involved in the Tickell Committee, the Army Manpower Review before ending his Regular Army career with 5th Bn the Royal Anglian Regiment as their Training Major. On retirement from the Army John took on directorships with Derbyshire Rural Community Council for over 20 years as well as being Commandant of the Derbyshire Cadet Battalion of WFR, a member of East Midlands TAVRA and the Derbyshire ABF Committee. In 1989 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire. In the early 1990s he moved to Matterdale near Penrith and became the Chairman of the Army Benevolent Fund in Cumbria. In 1998 John became the Honorary Colonel of 5th (Derbyshire Cadet) Bn WFR. His funeral will take place at 2pm on 8th November 2021 at St Peter's Church, Alstonefield John Wooddisse's elder son is Lt Gen Ralph Wooddisse, recently appointed as Commander Field Army. Contact is Mrs Ann Wooddisse, Undercliffe, 8 East Cross Street, Kirton on Lindsey, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 4DT The family would be most grateful if people wishing to be at the funeral let them know if they are attending by email to Peter.Dennis102@mod.gov.uk
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It is with great sadness that we notify you that 461526 Brigadier Herbert Arthur (Bertie) WOOLNOUGH CBE of Coombe Bissett, Salisbury died on 21 March 2018 aged 78. Bertie was commissioned into 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in 1959 and served with the battalion as a Pl Commander in Malaya, as Assistant Adjutant then Regimental Signal Officer and Adjutant in Colchester, Munster and Minden up to amalgamation with the Worcestershire Regiment when it formed The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He was then posted as Demonstration Officer at the School of Infantry in Warminster. In October 1970 he attended RMCS Shrivenham and then the Royal Navy Staff College at Greenwich. In 1972 Bertie was appointed as MA to CBF Hong Kong before returning to the Regiment in 1974 in Berlin as Sp Coy Commander. Later that year the Regiment moved to Ballykelly where he was based with Sp Coy in South Derry. He was awarded the MBE for operational service in Northern Ireland in 1976. In March of that year he was posted to HQ UKLF as GSO2 Org before attending the National Defence College in 1978. He was then appointed CO of the Mercian Volunteers where he was awarded the OBE in 1981. Post command he took up the role of SO1 Coord at the MOD. In 1982 he was appointed COS HQ BF Falkland Islands and in 1983 was appointed Col MO-4, then Col MO-2 at the MOD. In 1986 Bertie was posted to the US Army War College before taking up the post of Comd BMAT Bangladesh in 1987. In 1990 he was posted as ACOS HQ UKLF where he was appointed ADC to HM the Queen. He was awarded the CBE in 1994 when he retired from the Army. Funeral details will be published when known. Letters of condolence should be sent to Mrs Daphne Woolnough. Meadows, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wilts SP5 4JT
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MRS ANN WRIGHT We regret to announce the death of Mrs Ann Wright, widow of the late Brigadier Tony Wright MBE, occurred on Saturday 14th April in Ipswich, Suffolk Details of funeral arrangements will be clarified later. Letters of condolence should be sent to her daughter:
Nicola Wright Capel Rig, Bentley Rd, Capel St Mary, Ipswich IP9 2JN
Suffolk. The funeral will be at Ipswich Crematorium 10 Cemetery Lane, Ipswich IP4 2TQ at 1145 on Tuesday 16 May 2023. This is on the northern side of Ipswich. Donations to Parkinson’s UK. No flowers. It will be possible to see the service on a webcast. Details are available via Lt Col Roger Stockton at rogerstockton@icloud.com Wake: The family will hold a Wake after the funeral at the St Augustine’s Church Annex, or ‘Lantern Room’ as it is known. This is a new building that sits beside the church. The address of the church is: St Augustine’s Church, Bucklesham Rd, Ipswich IP3 8TJ. There is parking in front of the church, or across the road at the Church Hall. There is also parking along Bucklesham Road if needed.
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Brigadier Antony (Tony) Peter Wright MBE died 18th July 2020 aged 81. Tony Wright was commissioned from RMA Sandhurst into the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters on 19 December 1958. He joined the battalion in mid-1959 as a Platoon Commander in Malaya towards the end of the emergency and was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1960 when the battalion had moved to become the Garrison Battalion in Singapore. He continued serving with the battalion, when it moved first to Church Crookham in May 1961 and then to Hollywood in Northern Ireland, as the Regimental Signal Officer. After the battalion’s return to Colchester he deployed to Cyprus on Boxing Day 1963 during the Cyprus Crisis before moving as an instructor to the Army Outward Bound School in Towyn, North Wales. He returned to the 1st Battalion in Minden in Germany as Adjutant in May 1967 and was then selected for staff training at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham and the Staff College at Camberley from 1970 to 1972 being promoted to Major in June 1971. He served as a Company Commander with 1st Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment from 1972 until 1973, which included a tour of duty in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, where, on patrol, he was shot and wounded suffering injuries that would be with him for the rest of his military service. From 1974 to 1975 he served as a Grade 2 Staff Officer in GS(OR)5 in London before becoming Second in Command of 1WFR in 1976 then attending the National Defence College at Latimer in 1978. In July 1979 he took over as CO 1WFR as the battalion moved from Colchester to Hemer to become a mechanised battalion within 3rd Armoured Division. Post-command Tony served as AAG/COS at HQ The Prince of Wales Division in Lichfield then again as a Grade 1 Staff Officer in Operational Requirements before promotion to Colonel in June 1986 when he became the Project Manager for Infantry Weapons, a role which included the development of the SA80 rifle. On promotion to Brigadier in June 1988 he became Vice President of the Ordnance Board in London. He left the Army in October 1989 and worked for System Design Evaluation (SDE) Ltd in the defence industry sector until retiring to live in Ipswich, Suffolk. The later years of his life were dogged by ill health and he was in a care home in Baylham, Stowmarket at the time of his death. Letters of condolence should be sent to: Mrs A Wright, 10 Sunningdale Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5SH. The funeral of Brigadier Tony Wright will take place on Wednesday 5 August. His family have requested that this is a private, family only funeral.
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With regret we inform you that 22656272 Cpl Dennis Thomas WRIGHT aged 82yrs of St Johns Worcester passed peacefully away in his chair mid morning of Friday 22nd April 2016. On 22nd April 1952 Dennis was recruited into 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester and went on to serve in Malaya in Support Company / Anti Tank .It is noted in his discharge that he played football for the Battalion on several occasions. Dennis was discharged from the 1st Battalion on 21st April 1955 serving another 4yrs on reserve . Dennis worked in engineering at the Mecco works, Worcester for 26yrs then proceeded in the building trade. The funeral arrangements are for 12:30hrs Wednesday 11th May 2016 at St Clements Church, Henwick Road, St Johns, Worcester WR2 5NP. Internment will be at St Johns Cemetery, Mcintyre Road, St Johns, Worcester WR2 5LQ. Standards and Association members welcome. Letters of condolence can be sent to Mrs Sue Wright, 11 Graham Road, St Johns, Worcester. WR2 5AW Sue and family would like to see Dennis` friends afterwards at the Portebello inn, Bransford Road St Johns Worcester WR2 4 EZ
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It is with sadness we report that 4976115 Pte William Howell WRIGHT of Eastwood,Nottinghamshire died on 30 November 2012 aged 93. Bill enlisted into The Sherwood Foresters at Normanton Barracks, Derby on 16 July 1938 and was posted to the 1st Battalion.
He went with it to Palestine, Cyprus and North Africa where he was taken PoW at the Fall of Tobruk in 1942. He was demobbed on repatriation on 5 February 1946.
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Lieut HD Wynter of Myrtle Bank, Australia died on 29 November 2016 aged 84. He was commissioned as a National Serviceman in The Worcestershire Regiment in 1952 and served in Malaya with the 1st Battalion. On completing his TA commitment with the 7th Battalion he emigrated to Australia
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It is with regret that we inform you that 4979020 Pte William YARDLEY of Chesterfield, Derbyshire died on 30 April 2011 aged 91. Bill enlisted into the 2nd/5th Battalion The Sherwood
Foresters in January 1940 and went with it to France as part of the BEF. The Battalion was evacuated from Dunkirk on the 2 June 1940 then served in Scotland until January 1941 before moving to East Anglia and later Kent. In December 1942 the Battalion embarked for North
Africa disembarking at Algiers on the 3rd January 1943. After the liberation of North Africa, Bill returned to the UK to serve with 18 Platoon 8th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters at Wrotham in Kent. He completed his service on 1 August 1946.
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It is with sadness that we report the death of Cpl Walter John YATES of Worcester on 28th March 2018 aged 99 years. Walter was born on the 8th April 1918. Walter served in 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment and saw service in Burma during WW2. His funeral will be held at 1300 hours on Tuesday 1st May 2018 at Worcester Crematorium, Tintern Avenue, Astwood Road, Worcester. WR3 8HA. Standards, Bugle and Association members welcome. Afterwards at the Portobello Inn, Bransford Road, Worcester. WR2 4EZ. Letters of condolence can be sent to Walter`s Stepson Mr Maurice Collins, 83 Columbia Drive, Lower Wick, Worcester WR2 4EE.
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It is with regret that we notify you of the recent death of 14821952 Pte Wilfred Yeatman, who served with the 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters 1943 - 1948.
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My father, Victor YEATES served with the Sherwood Forresters during the Second World War and now and then attended reunions. He died recently (29th October 2013) and I am sure that you would wish to know of the dath of one of the few left from that era. Please pass this information on to any whom you feel may wish or need to know
