Obits Jun 05 - Issue 104

AC Branch, of Diss, on 13 Nov 2004. He served with 4 R Norfolk. Maj John Housego
[B&C 104]

George Chamberlain, of Aylsham, in January 2005, aged 84. He served with The Royal Norfolk Regt in WW2 in India and Italy.
George and his wife Pru were stalwarts in the Aylsham Royal British Legion and ex-Service and Social Club. In 1964 he founded the Major Johnson Shield, which has raised more than £60 000 for a range of good causes. George was instrumental in setting up the Aylsham Royal British Legion branch. He retired from the committee in 2000 following 50 years of service including 15 as chairman. He was also a Poppy Appeal collector and spent 20 years as standard bearer for the Legion branch, which awarded him life membership in 1987. George was born in Aylsham and a nurseryman before spending most of his working life as a builder's labourer with local firm Ducker's. He was also a supporter of the Aylsham band, of which he was a Vice-President. He married Pru in 1943, and they had five children, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. George was one of six children and his only surviving sister Dolly also lives in Aylsham. In 2001 he fulfilled an ambition by visiting the war grave of his brother Jack, killed in action in Belgium.
Over 500 mourners attended the funeral and 15 RBL and Regimental Association Standards were present. The Norfolk Regimental Association was represented by Ray Segon, carrying the Norwich Branch Standard. (With acknowledgement to the EDP.)
[B&C 104]
Afternote: In B&C 107 Dec 06 was:
MAJ GORDON JOHNSON 7 R NORFOLK
Nick Johnson’s grandfather, Major Gordon Johnson, was 2IC 7 R Norfolk in 1940. Nick wrote: ‘In the obituary for George Chamberlain in B&C 104 Jun 05 was a reference to the ‘Major Johnson Shield’. I wondered who the Major Johnson in question might have been.’
E-mails to various contacts brought a rapid response from Valerie Root, the Webmistress {can I say that ?} of the majestic Rotary Club of Aylsham site [www.aylshamrotary.com]
'I enquired at the Legion Club and was informed by someone who knew both George Chamberlain and Harold Johnson that the shield was the Major Harold Johnson Shield. Harold did not have any children.'
Nick followed with: ‘I wonder if anyone has a photo of the 7th Norfolks in France before June 1940, particularly a group photo of the officers?’

Major Thomas William Chatting. Known always as 'Tim' he died unexpectedly on 29th November 2004 during a brief stay in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He was 83. Many will best remember him as CSM and then RSM 1 R Norfolk.
Born during a return visit to England by his parents, Tim was taken as a baby to Canada where his father farmed at Turtleford, Saskatchewan. He returned to London at the age of 12.
His army career began in Apr 1937 when Tim (after adding a year to his then age of 16) enlisted into the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt (16th Foot). With the 2nd Bn he went to France in 1939 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. His 19th birthday in 1940 was spent in the Maginot Line.
It was nearly curtains on the 30th May. Tim was in the Coy pick-up truck, inadvertently being driven up the road to the Wulpen-Furnes Canal, when the driver, acting on an urgent warning to reverse and get away, was doing just that when the Germans opened fire. It was fortunate that enemy fire passed down the left-hand side of the truck (supposing it to be LHD) missing the driver and Tim who was sitting behind him.
Surviving the experience of Dunkirk, Tim, still with 2nd Bedfs and Herts, served in the UK, and in Mar 1943, landed at Algiers and joined the 1st Army until the completion of the campaign in North Africa. In Dec the Bn moved to Suez, intended for the invasion of Rhodes. This operation was cancelled, and the Bn landed at Naples in Feb 1944, thence through Italy via Salerno, Cassino and the Gothic Line. Tim’s award of ‘Mention in Dispatches’ was gained on 11 May 1944 (gazetted Jun 1946) during the night crossing of the Rapido River, the bridgehead being held for 36 hours against fierce and repeated counter attacks.
Tim was wounded later that year. Moving to Greece with the Bn in Dec 1944 Tim was appointed CSM in 1945, played hockey for the Bn and was acting RSM from May 1946, until returning to UK in Oct of that year. There followed a two-year tour as PSI with 5 Bedfs and Herts until his posting in Dec 1949 to 1 R Norfolk, then in BAOR.
Tim remained with 1 R Norfolk with its tours in Korea, Hong Kong, Cyprus and back to BAOR at Iserlohn until late 1959. In Korea, with Support Coy’s manpower detached, Tim was appointed to administer the Bn Command Post location, 'Camp Commandant’ as it were. Short months after arriving in Hong Kong he left Sp Coy again for a further spell as acting RSM, followed later in 1953 by promotion to WO1 and confirmed in that appointment.
Tim was a great character and highly regarded; he famously classified any unusual event as having been ‘all done with mirrors’. Suitably encouraged he could give a splendid rendition of ‘My Brother Sylvest’ in all its many verses.
Tim, commissioned in Feb 1958, was MTO until the following year and amalgamation with 1 Suffolk. He moved then as Quartermaster to 4 R Norfolk. The MT in 1 E Anglian were still asking for spare ‘Mirrors’ to assist in July 1960, Tim had left his mark!
After three years as QM with the 4th Bn he remained as Admin Officer until 1968 when he became Cadet Executive Officer for Norfolk ACF from which he retired in 1986.
The funeral service, which was private, was held at St Faiths, Norwich, on 7 Dec 2004.
Tim leaves a wife Sue, daughter Zöe, granddaughter Kassia and a son and three daughters of a previous marriage. John Denny
[B&C 104]
Webmaster Comment - Click to see 'A Stirring Obituary.'

5781256 CSgt Terence Cork of Halesworth in December 2004, aged 82.
He served variously in B Coy and the QM's Department from August 1940 to October 1946. From Jun 1944 to May 1945 he was with 33 Reinforcement Holding Unit, serving from Normandy to Bremen, then in 125 Transit Camp in Hanover to Jul 1946.
Terence was a widower and is survived by his daughter Lesley. Lesley Cooper
[B&C 104]

Alf Crane on 7 Mar 1995 aged 68. Originally from Great Yarmouth, he was in A Company, 2nd Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt. I first met Alf when we arrived in Kalyan, a transit camp south of Poona. I did not see too much of Alf again until we were in Bardney. Upon our demob, both Alf and I stayed in Lincoln, found work, married and settled down to civilian life. During this period, I saw a lot of Alf and his wife Louie. My wife and I were Godparents to their first son, Michael. The last time I saw Alf was in August 1994 when we were over from Canada in England on holiday. In an October letter, he said that as he was watching football on TV he placed his hands behind his neck and found a lump. A visit to the doctor confirmed that it was cancer and he only lasted five more months. He is survived by his widow Louie. Jim Cameron
[B&C 104]
Click here to see an e-mail from Jim ref the above.

Leslie Easter (known as George) peacefully on 12 Feb 2005. The 2nd son of Edward 'Jack' Easter, who had served in the Royal Horse Artillery through WW1, George was born in Wormegay village on 20 Dec 1920 and grew up there. He enlisted as Pte 5773265 on 6 Feb 1939 in the Royal Norfolk Regiment. On 10 Jan 1940 he was posted to France with 9 Pl, 7 R Nfk as part of the BEF. They fought valiantly around Normandy and eventually surrendered at St Valery en Caux on 12 Jun 1940. Many of his comrades were killed and are buried in the military cemetery at St Valery. He spent most of his POW time in Stalag 9c and worked in the salt mines there. He escaped from work parties on a number of occasions, eventually being sent to a stone quarry as punishment. He had at least one extended escape with his Scots pal ‘Big Archie’ and they joined up with Polish partisans. He had bad dreams about a young woman partisan who was hung by the Germans. During the dreams he would say: ‘Why did they use piano wire?’ After one escape he was recaptured by the SS and his front teeth were knocked out with a rifle butt. He was repatriated by American troops, sent home on 4 May 1945 and was transferred to the reserve on 12 Jul 1946. His final assessment states: ‘Conduct - Good. A sober, trustworthy and reliable soldier. Can ride a motorcycle and has served well as an officer’s batman.’
After the war he met and married the sister of his brothers' wife Sylvie. They were together from 1947 until 2001 when Sylvie died. He worked most of his life as an HGV driver travelling the length and breadth of England and more latterly Europe, across France, Italy and Germany long before the advent of sleeper cabs and often enjoyed sleeping overnight on the grass. He left some interesting photographs from his PoW days.
One postcard lists all his comrades in 9 Pl (click here for a larger image). He spent most of his POW time in Stalag 9c. After his retirement in 1985 he moved to a small French village near St Valery until returning to Norfolk in 2004. He was very well treated as an old combatant by the French villagers.
He is survived by 3 sons: William ‘Billy’ who was born near Wormegay and inherited Georges' love of poetry and Norfolk; John, an HGV driver, who inherited his love of the Army and Normandy and David, a highly respected motor cycle trainer who inherited George’s love of motorcycles and all things mechanical. He had 4 grandsons and a granddaughter. Sadly, two of his grandsons died very young. Bill Easter (son)
[B&C 104]

George Elmer of Blackburn in 2004. He served with 4 R Norfolk. A £10 donation was sent from the 4 R Norfolk Association to the local Blind Association as George was almost blind. Alf Davey
[B&C 104]

Vivian Tom Gigglestone of Beighton on 22 Nov 2004, aged 86. He served with 4 R Norfolk. A Service of Thanksgiving for his life and work was held at the Halvergate Methodist Church. Maj John Housego
[B&C 104]

Brian Hipperson on 15 Feb 2005. He served with the Royal Norfolk Regt in Korea as a National Serviceman, deferred until he was 20 due to completing his apprenticeship. An Assault Pioneer and a member of the Jonathan Wormald/Bob Guess patrol he recorded a number of discs for the IWM.. Standards borne by Ray Segon on behalf of the Norwich and District Branch of the Regimental Association and of the BKVA Std borne by Keith Lown and a BKVA Guard of Honour were present at his funeral at Norwich City crematorium.
Ray Segon
[B&C 104]

Alfred Lang, of Plaistow, London, on 20 Feb 2005. He served with 4 R Norfolk and was a FEPOW in Singapore, where he worked alongside Edward 'Weary' Dunlop in the POW hospital. He was living in Plaistow and training to be a massage therapist at Aldgate in East London when called up in 1941. A very modest man, he rarely mentioned his POW experiences unless asked. Alfred was a remarkable man and will be sadly missed.
John Lang (nephew) and Maj John Housego
[B&C 104]

Gordon Arthur Lubbock of North Walsham on 1 May 2004, aged 84, a few days after his wife died. He served with the 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt and was a D Day Veteran. John Lubbock
[B&C 104]

Colin Douglas McDougall, of Catfield, on 3 Jan 2005 aged 78. Colin was the eldest son of Douglas and Katie McDougall of Catfield Hall. After schooling at Taverham Hall and Sherborne in Dorset, he served with the Royal Norfolk Regt in Germany, UK and Hong Kong before taking up a schoolmastering career at Berkhamstead School and Choate School (the Eton of the USA) in Connecticut. After a short period as headmaster of Taverham Hall Preparatory School he retired to Catfield and ran a consultancy business placing foreign students in British Schools. He was actively engaged with Norwich Rowing Club, for many years serving as President. Colin is survived by his wife Sheila, 4 sons by a previous marriage, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. His younger brother Keith served with him in the 1st Bn in Hong Kong. The funeral service took place on Thu 13 Jan 05 at All Saints Church, Catfield. Keith McDougall
[B&C 104]

5783500 Pte Frank Parry on 1 Mar 1945, aged 22, while serving with The 1st Bn, The Royal Norfolk Regiment, during the advance into Germany. He is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
[B&C 104]

Capt Ray Pillar of Great Yarmouth, suddenly, in his sleep, on 22 Feb 2005, aged 74. After completing his apprenticeship as a carpenter in the early 1950s, Ray was called up for deferred National Service and served in the RMP, mainly in Colchester but also at the RMP Detachment in Croxton Road Camp, Thetford and for a time in Nelson Barracks, Norwich. On demob he joined A Coy 4 R Norfolk (TA) where he rose quickly through the ranks to WO2. On the reorganisation of the TA and the disbandment of 4 R Norfolk, 5 (V) R Anglian were formed and Ray was appointed CSM of A Company, based at the TA Centres in Ipswich and Lowestoft. Having completed over 20 years continuous service with the TA, he opted to join No 2 Coy, Norfolk Army Cadet Force. Soon commissioned, he gave distinguished service as a Detachment Commander and as County Shooting Officer, finally retiring at the age of 62. Great Yarmouth Borough Council promptly appointed him as Parade Marshall for the town’s Annual Remembrance Parade, a position he held for 12 years until his sudden death. In civilian life Ray worked as a carpenter on numerous building sites before being appointed as a Great Yarmouth Borough Council Enforcement Officer, dealing with illegal buildings, building alterations and unofficially erected roadsigns. This position he held until forced to take early retirement due to a heart attack, from which he later made a near full recovery. For many years Ray was on the Committee of the 4 R Norfolk OCA and a founder member of the Great Yarmouth Branch, latterly as Chairman and Standard Bearer. In both organisations he was very much a key figure and one it will be very hard to replace. Ray will be sadly missed, both as a good friend to many and also to those who have had the pleasure of serving with him whilst he was serving his country and local community.
We extend our sympathy to his widow June, sons Gary and Alan and three grandchildren, Jack, Brogan and Ben. Ben Turner
And see a tribute by Maj Richard Boulton TD JP
[B&C 104]

Vaughan Carnley Raywood on 11 Jan 2005, after a short illness, within a week of his 71st birthday. He joined the Army for his National Service and did his basic training at Bury St Edmunds. After commissioning he served with the Somaliland Scouts and completed his service with the 4th Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt (TA).
A solicitor, he is survived by his widow Tricia, son Anthony, daughter Jane and 2 grandsons. Col Paul Raywood
[B&C 104]

Maj Douglas Sayer MBE TD, of Sparham, on 17 Apr 2005, 3 weeks before his 99th Birthday. In Kenya he bought an estate in Aberdares and served with the KAR 1934-6 before returning to run the family estate at Sparham and joining 5 R Norfolk in 1937. He served in various Staff Appointments until 1945 and was made MBE in 1941.
Much more is in 105 Dec 05. (With acknowledgement to the EDP and The Times.)
[B&C 104]

Alan Herbert Solomon, of Oulton Broad, on 23 January 2005, the day after his 83rd Birthday. He served with The Royal Norfolk Regt 70th Bn 1940-43, 7th Bn 1943-44 and 1st Bn 1944-45 then transferred to 2 Lincolnshire Regt in Egypt and Palestine, serving with them until demob in 1946. At the Gorleston Crematorium Service of Thanksgiving there was standing room only. He was a big man, not only in stature but as a person, always willing to help others. A cousin said: ‘He was a real Suffolk man, gentle and trustworthy - a good old boy.’ Alan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose, daughter Janet, 2 granddaughters and 6 great grandchildren. JLR
[B&C 104]
(For more on Alan, see 1945 Alan Solomon's C Coy, 1 Royal Norfolk, colleagues Germany and Alan and Rose Solomon in 2002)

5768839 / 23870169 LCpl Bandsman Charles Chrystal Thomas, of Queensland, Australia, after a short illness, on 24 Mar 2005, aged 96. Born in 1908 in Middlesbrough, England, he signed on there at the recruiting office and was sent to Norwich (1st Norfolk Regt) for about six months. From there he moved to Hyderabad Barracks, Colchester, and later to Aldershot. He then went via troopship to Egypt, (Moascar Military Camp, followed by Abbass Hilmi Barracks at Abbassia, near Cairo). In 1928, before it left for Shanghai on 10 Oct, the Bn was inspected by the General Officer Commanding British Troops in Egypt, Lt Gen Sir Peter Strickland. He set sail with 769 other ranks, 5 warrant officers and 22 officers in the troopship Somersetshire on 11 Oct, arriving eleven days later in Colombo, Ceylon. There were no delights ashore, just a route march. Singapore was reached on 28th, and another route march was carried out in Hong Kong on 2 Nov. Shanghai was reached on 6 Nov and it was there he had his 21st birthday on 19 May 1929. The stay in Shanghai was short lived, just one year and thirty four days. On 14 Nov 1929 the Bn embarked in the transport Neuralia, sailing the following day for Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo and Bombay. The ship remained for 24 hours at Singapore and everybody was able to get ashore to stretch their legs, in the form of a route march of course. On 2 Dec the Neuralia anchored in Bombay Harbour. The following day the troops were landed and after three nights in a train arrived at Dalowali in the Punjab. From there they marched to Sialkot cantonment.
Always known as Thommo, he was a bandsman, playing the flute and accordion. He also wrote script and music for, and acted in, a number of revues. His mates were Slonkey Merrett and Ginger Maxwell.
He was present at the King's Birthday Parade at Solon Hill Station, India, in 1934 (See, on the B&C site, under ‘1 and 2 Norfolk’ the entry for Alfred Smith at:
www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection)
He was in India when the Regt were granted the ‘Royal’ prefix. 70 years on, Thommo could recall stories of Waziristan, Solon Hill and the names of every campsite and village where he was based. During his time in India he experienced a number of interesting events outside the Army curricula! He was playing billiards in Calcutta with his friend 'Slonkey 'Merrett, during the Quetta earthquake. In spite of the great distance between the two places it was felt quite strongly. The billiard table tipped and all the balls rolled down into the same bottom pocket! He and Slonkey hightailed it outside as that was considered the safest area to be. Another time in Calcutta the German ship Karlsruhe docked. All the British soldiers were invited aboard for German beer and when the British ship HMS Norfolk arrived they all went aboard for English beer!
Thommo resigned in 1939 but latterly served in the Territorial Army, in Manchester with The Royal Armoured Corps from 1961 to 1963. He is survived by his daughter Rose and sons Geoffrey and Norman.
Rose Thomas and JLR
[B&C 104]

George Turner of Norwich, suddenly, in Dec 2004.
After service with the Guards Division, George served with 1 Royal Norfolk in the QMs Dept in Korea and Hong Kong and then at the Royal Norfolk Depot at Britannia Barracks as 'Coal Corporal' then as a PROVO Cpl. His wife pre-deceased him in May 2004 and he is survived by his son Michael. Brian Duce
[B&C 104]

Joe Young of Luton, on 31 Dec 2004, after a short illness. Joe was aged 19 when he landed on Sword Beach with 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt early on the morning of D-Day, 6 Jun 1944. He saw continual fighting at close quarters and was one of only about 3 left out of his original 110-strong Coy by the time he reached Germany - the rest had all been wounded or killed. As well as his British medals he was awarded others by the Netherlands and France. In 2004 Joe returned to Normandy for the D-Day Commemoration and, as on 3 previous occasions, visited the graves of some of his fallen comrades. Fellow Members of his Luton and District Branch of the Normandy Veteran’s Association attended his funeral where the Last Post was played.
(With acknowledgement to the Luton Herald.)
[B&C 104]