Maj Andrew Athill of Holt, Norfolk on 17 Aug 05, aged 85. Rarely have so many varying Regimental ties been seen in All Saints' Church, Morston, a quiet Norfolk village church, for the Service of Thanksgiving. Andrew was a character, the like of which are sadly diminishing. The service on a damp August afternoon was more than packed to overflowing. The spirited singing of the hymns: ‘Who would true valour see’, ‘Guide me O thou great Redeemer’ and, most fittingly ‘Will your anchor hold in the storms of life’ would have graced a Welsh Chapel.
In an address by Diana Athill, Andrew’s sister, she paid tribute to a many faceted man of great faith: a ‘lucky man’ but one who ‘made things happen’. ‘A man of good judgement and no pretensions, something of a romantic, he loved natural things.’
Below is the Aug 05 EDP piece by Adam Gretton:
Tributes were paid to a colourful army major, who was a key community and boating figure in North Norfolk. Maj Andrew Athill died at the age of 85 after years of tireless work for the people of Morston and Blakeney. The popular character, who served on Morston parish council for almost 40 years, was an avid boatman and was sailing off the coast just a fortnight before his death. Community leaders said the retired major, who leaves a wife Mary, four sons and several grandchildren, would be ‘greatly missed’ by villagers and members of the boating fraternity. As well as serving as a parish councillor for 38 years, he was involved in the management of Blakeney harbour and a supporter of All Saints' Church, in Morston. Jim Temple, parish council chairman and chairman of the Blakeney Boatmen's Association, said Maj Athill was a ‘brilliant man’ and was commonly spotted on his Norfolk oyster sailing boat named after his wife, Mary. ‘He was such a great character on the water and you would always see him down on the harbour. It will be a hell of a miss not to see him about because he was so loved by everyone.’ ‘Every time there was something on at the church he would climb the wooden ladder to the tower to put up the union jack. I could not believe he was still doing that until very recently,’ he said.
Maj Athill was brought up on the Ditchingham Hall estate near Bungay and moved to Morston with his family in 1952. Following a distinguished military career with the Royal Norfolk Regiment, he retired in 1964. He became actively involved as a volunteer coastguard harbour warden, honorary National Trust warden, and also chaired the Blakeney Point Management Committee and the Blakeney Boatmen's Association. He started up his own oyster farm and sailing school in Morston in 1975, but retired from virtually all commitments in 2003 because of failing health. Bernard Crowe, local district councillor, added that Maj Athill was affectionately nicknamed ‘Boomer’ in his later life because of his failing hearing. ‘He will be best remembered as a key member of the harbour association and his management of the boats. He was gruff and strict, but made sure that people enjoyed their boating in safety.’ ‘He was sharp and frank as a parish councillor and was one of the leading figures of the community in his early days,’ he said.
Andrew is survived by his widow Mary and sons Philip, James, William and Charles. Another gallant soldier departs. JLR
[B&C 105]
Afternote Nov 05: Mrs Mary Athill informs us that the donations made to refurbish the windows in All Saints' Church, Morston, on the death in Aug 05 of Maj Andrew Athill, exceeded £3500.

St George’s Roman Catholic Church, Norwich, was filled for the Requiem Mass in celebration of Fred’s life.
The prayer, attributed to St Ignatius, read by Sub Lt Oliver Ayers RN, Fred’s grandson, sums up Fred.
Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give without counting the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for reward, except to know that I am doing your will.
Fred’s elder son, Commander Richard Ayers RN, said: “He filled every day of his 85 years with good. Fred said: ‘Work for the Lord. The pay is not much. But the retirement plan is out of this world.’ A man of sincerity, trust and integrity, we will all be the poorer without him.”

Born in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, he was the 3rd born of 9 boys and 2 girls. Fred left the Central School in Lowestoft at 15 and joined Jewson and Sons Ltd as an office boy in 1935. 45 years later he retired from Jewson’s as Company Secretary and Financial Director. Not one to remain idle, Fred promptly took over the running of buses for all the Norwich RC schools, which he did for 8 years, and joined Read’s Timber for a ‘temporary’ part time job. He retired from that 20 years later! Fred was a most talented woodcarver and artist, a keen fisherman and devoted to his church and the army. Ever smart in a collar and tie, even on a fairground, an all-day breakfast was the closest Fred got to sin. In 2000 he went on a safari to Kenya. His travelling companion, Capt Gerry Gandon TM2, needs to be asked about Fred’s dress !

In Apr 1939 Fred joined 4 Suffolk Territorial Army in Lowestoft, was embodied for WW2 in Aug and went for training at Bawdsey. He joined 18 Div HQ in Norwich, initially stationed at Trowse and later at Sprowston Hall. When 18 Div HQ moved abroad, Fred was posted to the 30th Bn at Bury St Edmunds and appointed CQMS. In 1941 he joined 30th Bn Essex Regiment, appointed RQMS in 1943. In Jun 1944 Fred was stationed at Fort Gillkicker, Gosport and transferred to the Essex Regt on being posted to India with Wingate's Chindits, arriving at Duelalli Camp, via Bombay. Soon after joining 1 Essex at Gwallia as CQMS Fred was made CSM then RQMS. In late 1945, during the withdrawal from India, he was involved in the Bombay riots, driving through the streets with machine guns mounted on the lorries. Demobbed in 1946 as a WO2, Fred re-joined Jewsons and in 1947, when the TA was reformed, joined 4 R Norfolk, later Commissioned as 2nd QM.

A Founder Member of 6 R Anglian in 1971, serving as Paymaster, Fred received his 4th TA medal from HRH The Princess Margaret at the Presentation of Colours in 1979.

Tributes from his 6 R Anglian colleagues were:
‘Yet another irreplaceable departs. It is sad and the world always seems a bit different when such people go.’
‘It is the passing of a great man whom many will remember with affection and gratitude.’
He alone was responsible for the successful auditing of most if not all of the Bn accounts!’
‘We will be thinking of Fred at the time of the funeral and the Sheffield Cathedral Canon will offer prayers for Fred in the Regimental Chapel of Sheffield Cathedral.’
‘I have known and respected that gentleman for over 40 years and I doubt very much if another such as he will ever grace this earth.’

He married Eleanor Ruth (Betty) Blyth in Oct 1941. She died soon after their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Fred is survived by his daughter Judith, sons Richard and Jamie, 6 grandchildren and a great-grandson. Now called ‘Uluru’, Ayers Rock is named after Fred’s great uncle Sir Henry Ayers.

The ‘Last Post’ was sounded and the coffin, draped with the Union Flag, bearing Fred’s No 1 Dress Hat and sword, left for St Faith’s Crematorium. Afterwards, at a sumptuous buffet at Wensum Valley Golf and Country Club, Fred’s 6 R Anglian colleagues, Col David James, Majors Duncan Stewart, John Metcalfe, John L Raybould, Capt Gerry Gandon and WO2 Alec Barr recalled his achievements. Of note was his magical trick of making Senior Service butts disappear through a solid wood table.

If you went to the Royal Norfolk Regt Officers' Dinner in the Norfolk Club you had to be careful of standing next to Fred if John Davidson was nearby. At the 1978 dinner we had just returned from Bellerby and Richard Watson had won the Gaza Cup for A Coy. John Davidson was animatedly describing the competition to Fred who had a half of bitter in one hand. Most of the ale went down the neck of the late Brigadier Peter Barclay. He blamed Fred! We then called it the 'Beer Throwing Dinner'.

Fred’s snooker table ‘Adjustments’ to the A (Royal Norfolk) TA Coy Accounts are legendary, gaining him the title ‘The Master.’
A treasured possession is the A Coy AB 397 (Service Non-Public Funds Account) 1972-1978. Therein, on p 38, in Fred's handwriting, is the Mar 1977 entry 'Account for previous period re-opened.' After many 'Adjustments' the A Coy Account was re-written.

As the archives record: 'This occurred because the hapless account holder, the writer, had taken over the account on the day of the Audit as the official account holder had decided to spend - what a coincidence - the next 6 months in Belgium! There were so many anomalies that the account was rejected for re-auditing later.'

Page 38 on that AB 397 indicates the May 1977 signature of Maj Dennis Haslam TD, showing that the A Coy Accounts had finally passed muster. I clearly recall that day when the account was satisfactorily re-audited within 10 minutes on the range during the District Rifle Meeting on the steering wheel in the Wolseley Hornet of Maj Denis Haslam. The account holder did wonder why auditing took so many hours when done at Bn HQ but was able to breathe a sigh of relief though knowing that in 6 months the accounts would once more be due for audit.

In 1996 Miles Green reported some vital intelligence to me in Bosnia: 'Fred Ayers and Gerry Gandon were recently seen in Norfolk ACF County HQ "Up to no good!" '

Fred was still doing the Norwich RHQ accounts until the summer of 2005. For over 30 years of my uniformed service Fred was always there. A legend departs.    JLR
[B&C 105]
And see, for an irreverent account of his service: www.sandawana.freeserve.co.uk/6_ranglian/eve_of_show_notes_ta.htm#major_fred_ayers
Memories of TA Audit Boards - A View by The Pipe Major : www.sandawana.freeserve.co.uk/6_ranglian/ta_audit_boards.htm
TA Audit Boards - A View by Maj David Reed TD** : www.sandawana.freeserve.co.uk/6_ranglian/ta_audit_boards_by_david_reed.htm

Rosemary Barclay, of Little Dunham, aged 91, peacefully, on 21 Jul 2005. She was the widow of Brig Peter Barclay DSO MC DL who died on 13 Oct 1992. She is survived by her son Christopher.    JLR
[B&C 105]

5826503 Gwyn Evan Francis Button, of Norwich, aged 86, on 24 Aug 05. A keen Beccles and Norwich Branch member, he served with The Suffolk Regt 1935-50 as a Bandsman. Always immaculately turned out, Gwyn was proud to wear his Suffolk Regimental tie and ‘gear’, as he put it.
Just days before he was to marry Madge on 16 Aug 1941 he had a problem, realising his Suffolk battle-dress uniform appeared scruffy. Mentioning it to his Pl Sgt the response was ‘Exchange it’. Gwyn explained he had tried that but failed. ‘Give me your battle-dress blouse,’ ordered the Pl Sgt. Gwyn handed it over and looked on, aghast, as it was severely ripped. ‘The CQMS will exchange it now!’ He did!
Gwyn was a PoW in Changi and recalled being summoned by a Japanese Officer in 1942 while digging a trench at Sime Road Camp. The beckon signal was like our ‘Go away’ but Gwyn realised he was wanted. The officer’s motor-cycle had suddenly stopped and the officer said: ‘Englisho fixit.’ Gwyn knew little more than how to mend a puncture on a push bike. However, he had seen DRs fiddling about under the engine so he feigned proficiency, felt around and found the thingy, poked, pulled, twiddled and tickled it. Gwyn stood up and full of trepidation, eyeing the long curved Japanese sword, said: ‘OK.’ The Officer kicked the motorcycle and it started!
Later, he was manager of Tom Watts furniture shop then manager of the carpet department at Butchers, both in Norwich, and a saxophone/clarinet player with the Eddie Edmunds dance band.
Joining the Norwich Branch in 1997, he was soon appointed as Entertainments Offr after his telling of excruciating jokes and a boast about his garden: ‘I’ve a lovely garden. Madge does a great job with it.’ (Right is a 2003 photograph of them.)
(Click here for a final funny from Gwyn.)
In 1997 Gwyn was delighted to meet, in Norwich Cathedral, over 50 years after their incarceration, Maj Tom ‘Sticks’ Eaton OBE TD DL, whom he remembered as Rations Officer at Changi. Gwyn was featured in the Eastern Evening News twice in 1997. A photograph appeared of a food queue in a Japanese POW camp and in the line Gwyn recognised himself as a bandsman with 4 Suffolk. He believes he would not have survived but for a 4th Bn Royal Norfolk chap from Norwich, Matthews, who had got himself a job cooking for the Japanese. Gwyn became very ill and Matthews pinched eggs and the like to put under Gwyn’s door. ‘He was a brave and a kind man. I have never forgotten him.’
In 1999 Gwyn became a member of the Norwich Millennium Combined Services Committee.
Gwyn’s banter with his Norwich neighbour, the Late Paul Boxall, was a welcome part of our Norwich Branch Meetings. Gwyn fully embraced modern technology and was a regular e-mail communicator. Many of his gems are on the B&C site, in posterity. Thanks to him the tune of the Royal Anglian March, which incorporates Rule Britannia and Speed the Plough, can be heard via the B&C website at www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk
His last official duty was in marking the 60th Anniversary of the end of WW2 in Bury St Edmunds with the Suffolk Lord Lt, The Lord Tollemache.

Left is the majestic Order of Service cover, designed by Valerie. Gwyn made his final earthly journey at St Faith's Crematorium on Tue 5 Sep 05 between a Guard of Honour, composed of many be-medalled Beccles and Norwich Branch members, entering the chapel to the tune 'Speed The Plough'. The 2 black-draped Branch Standards of Beccles and Norwich, borne by Donald Knowles and Lt Col Paul Garman, bore tribute. Further taped music punctuated the proceedings: the eulogy; the poem 'If', read by Philip Button and Family Remembrances - 'The Best Things in Life are Free' (Gwyn's signature tune) sung by Jo Stafford, Finlandia by The Black Dyke Mills Band and Elgar's Nimrod (Enigma Variations).

Family Remembrances of Gwyn included: 'Madge married 'Mr Right" but hadn't realised his 1st name was "always".'
'In a cloud of pipe-smoke, he read us stories, playing trains in the garden and jumping out from the shed as a Signaller.'
'At the age of 80 he decided to beat he grandchildren at their own game and mastered using a computer and the internet.'
'For Gwyn the quality of life was far more important that money and possessions'.
'Wasgonnas only have their dreams.'
'Any old fool can do anything any-odd how but it takes someone special to do it right.'

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Below is the eulogy read by Col Tony Taylor at 'A Celebration of Life' at St Faith's Crematorium.

Gwyn Button was born on 19 June 1919. I imagine that life was difficult - as it was for the vast majority in the aftermath of the First World War and the looming depression. Gwyn was musical and the best way he could think of to learn to play music was to join the TA which he did in May 1935. He joined 4th Suffolks as a bandsman and less than 4 years later, with the start of the Second World War, he was called up for full time service. In time he found himself in Beccles where he met his future wife, the then Miss Madge Johnson. They were married in Beccles on 16 Aug 1941.
Gwyn was of course married in uniform, in battle dress. Family history relates that he reported to the QM stores for an exchange because his BD was a bit scruffy and was sent away. He told a friend his problem who solved it by ripping the sleeve out - he got a new BD for his wedding. Most of you have probably heard that story many times.
Two months after his wedding he was off to war. 4 Suffolk embarked at Liverpool on 29 Oct 1941 aboard the SS Andes bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they transhipped to the UST Wakefield. It was reported to be luxurious after the Andes and at this stage it must all have seemed quite an adventure.
They thought they were bound for India. They stopped at Trinidad and then Cape Town, leaving there on 13 Dec bound for Bombay where they disembarked for training. However, the war was going badly in the Far East so they were soon back aboard and on their way to Singapore where they arrived on 29 Jan 1942. Singapore fell just 17 days later on 15 Feb and thousands of East Anglians found themselves prisoners of the Japanese having not been properly trained or equipped, and deployed after the campaign was hopeless. It must have been devastating - in fact we know it was and that of the FEPOWs that survived many never regained either their health or self respect. Gwyn was not one of them. He not only survived but came home to Madge and together they brought up three sons, Philip, Clive and Graham, and a daughter, Valerie. In due course, 7 children and 3 grandchildren who are here today, come to honour a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Gwyn made good use of the musical training he had received in the TA before the War. He rejoined the TA and also played the clarinet and saxophone in various dance bands - both no doubt helpful to the family budget. He also put the chiropody training he had received in the Army to good use. Yes, in 1939, as now, the duties in war of a bandsman or musician are as medical orderlies / stretcher bearers. By day he worked in the retail industry latterly as the manager of the Carpet Department at Butchers here in the City. He retired in 1982 at the age of 63.
In retirement he taught himself model making and produced the most exquisite wooden models of various types of farm carts and gypsy caravans - and he continued to do this until his failing eyesight and stiffening joints meant that he could not achieve the standard of work he wanted. Then at age 80 he got into computers and the internet.
You will all know that he was a stickler for accuracy and detail - which some could find tedious but led to him producing the definitive list of casualties for 4 Suffolks in the Far East. It was a labour of love for him. The list is being used on a regular basis by the Suffolk Record Office and me to answer enquiries. He did it all out of respect for his comrades, in particular those who did not survive, and numerous families have cause to be grateful for all the research he put into this project.
I got to know him well over the last 4 years. He certainly created extra work for me but I admired him and he was very unusual in that although a proud Suffolk he also attended events relating to the Royal Norfolk Regiment and was a member of both Suffolk and Royal Norfolk Association branches - but above all he was Gwyn Button the FEPOW who was on parade in Beccles only a little over a week before he died and Gwyn Button the proud family man.
I was honoured to be asked by the family to say something about this determined old soldier - although I wasn’t sure whether it was quite kosher - because he gave me, as Area Secretary, a hard time, and I cursed the day that he mastered word processing - because his letters got longer. The family told me some of his famous jokes, but I had heard them all and you all know the punch lines so there is little point in relating them.
One of his recent letters was signed Gwyn Button obe ( Over ____ Eighty).
He regretted his failing eyesight and declining strength but he remained positive, proud and determined, as is clear from the fact that he was on parade for all the various VJ Day Commemorations.
We are here to bid farewell to Gwyn and to give thanks for his long and eventful and thoroughly worthwhile life. The presence of so many of you here this morning, is clear witness to the affection and respect in which he was held.'

As Gwyn passed from our sight, there was a flypast of Jaguar aircraft !
Gwyn was recalled by Brig Bill Deller as 'The Latrines Man' ! As a result of his observations on them at a Minden Day Reunion in Bury St Edmunds they are now pristine!
A man of sincerity with a deep love of his family and his Regiment, possessing a wonderful sense of humour, Gwyn will indeed be sadly missed.
Remember his wise words: 'Any old fool can do anything any-odd how but it takes someone special to do it right..' (Now added to the B&C site. )
He is survived by his widow Madge, sons Philip, Clive, Graham and daughter Valerie, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Gwyn was a special man. Sadly, despite his intentions to survey my wife Janine's majestic chapel floral arrangements at the Apr 05 'Almanza Service', he was unable to attend.   JLR

An obituary for Gwyn will appear in the Suffolk Section - to follow.
[See Suffolk Section B&C 105]

5777109 Don Clarke of Saffron Walden, Essex on  23 December 2004  He was a 1st Battalion D-Day Veteran.
[B&C 105]

Maj Colin Stuart ‘Paddie’ Drake TD MA FSA of Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich, after a long illness, bravely borne, aged 76, on 25 Jun 2005. Paddie was an ‘officer of the Old School’, a gentleman and a scholar to boot. In later life he read for a degree and specialised in Romanesque Fonts - the church baptismal type! He served with the Norfolk Yeomanry until the TA was disbanded then became the 1st 2IC of 6 R Anglian on its formation in 1971. Later, he became a Ground Liaison Officer for the RAF, serving with CVHQ (RA). Paddie was extremely good company and a regular attender at the annual dinners of the 6 R Anglian Officers' Dinner Club until ill-health denied his attendance. His passing to the ‘Forward Recce Group’ leaves only 6 surviving Founder Members of 6 R Anglian who are members of the Dinner Club - Fred Ayers, Ron James, Paul Raywood, Dick Shervington, Duncan Stewart and Tim Swayne. At Paddie’s Funeral and Service of Thanksgiving on 6 Jul 05 at St Anne's Church, Rushmere St Andrew, the Regt was represented by Maj John L Raybould TD. Pre-deceased by his son Jonathan, Paddie is survived by his widow Ann and daughter-in-law Lynne.
Below is the eulogy read by Colin Brant CMG CVO at Paddie’s Parish Church, where there was not a vacant seat.    JLR

Giving an account of Paddle Drake's life in the space of a few minutes is an impossible task. It has been like assembling a stained glass window of a hundred pieces, designed to shine down on one of Paddie's treasured fonts. Each one of us knows one or more of these pieces, some of us well. But only Ann, Paddie's wife, knows most of it. The colours, however, are vivid and vibrant, whichever way you look at them.
All of us who grew up in wartime Christ's Hospital School, Horsham, have a great bond of comradeship from the hardships of those times. We underwent together the privations of the blackout, rationing, air raids, and finally of the flying bombs. Later, in peacetime, we came to hold positions of responsibility in the school. Paddie developed into a good Modern Linguist. He became Captain of his House and of the successful School 2nd XV rugby team. He sang in the Chapel and Big School choirs, learnt ballroom dancing for dances with the local girls' schools and enjoyed socialising on state occasions. He led the school PT Squad and kept wicket for the 2nd X1.
The flamboyant in Paddie's character enabled him to be the Drum-Major of the School's marching band, then, as now, a source of great pride at Housie, (as Christ's Hospital is affectionately known by all its pupils). He did this for 3 successive years - a record which I think still stands. We have memories of him in his white gauntlets, spinning his mace high into the summer sunshine, all of us wondering whether he would catch the blessed thing before it fell to earth again.
We both left at the end of 1947 to go into the Army, he to Sandhurst and on to the Royal Artillery.
In his 13 or so years as a Gunner, he had the brilliant good fortune to meet and marry Ann. It was a hugely successful union. For the following 51 years, they were not only a devoted married couple but the best of friends as well. Ann supported Paddle wonderfully in all his activities and achievements. Paddle testified to this in the notes he wrote about himself for The Blue, the CH School magazine. Most regrettably, in 1960, despite his having passed his staff exams, the Army, under political pressure for retrenchment, felt required to dispense with Paddie's services. He was just 6 months too old!
With characteristic grit and determination, he set about making a second, very successful, career, in industry. After a spell with Pilkingtons, the glass maker, he joined Pauls, the big manufacturer in these parts of malt and animal foodstuffs, on their personnel and training side. For 24 years, he was engaged in that field, for a work-force of over 2000. By the time he retired he was the Company's Director of Personnel and Training. Curiously, though, in all his travels for the company, he had always seemed able to find some small comfortable hotel to stay - with close access to some interesting antiquities.
Commendably, he stayed loyal to the Army, as an officer in the Territorials for some 20 years and then to chair the Suffolk County Cadet Committee for 5 years. His friends were delighted that this service was recognised by his being awarded the Territorial Decoration.
In between whiles, Paddle was involved in so many public activities. He was active in Rugby refereeing, and a long-time member of the Suffolk Rugby Committee, of which be became President. He was closely involved in the Friends of Ipswich Museum, which he chaired for five years. He led a Committee which raised nearly £400 000 for Ipswich Borough Council to buy a Gainsborough landscape. And at the Millennium, he organised a collection of several thousand pounds to repair the chime of this church, which hadn't worked for many years.
I caught up again with Paddle when he agreed to edit the Old Blue section of The Blue, then published termly. (‘Old Blue’ meaning former pupils of Christ's Hospital). Typically, he took on the Editorship for 3 months - and ended by doing it for 14 years! From our point of view, this was an important and sensitive job: to manage all the news and views of the large Old Blue community spread across the world, acting as a mix of Editor and Agony Uncle. In addition, for many years, Paddie edited the ‘Friends of the National Army Museum Newsletter’.
But, Hey Presto, what was this? After 2 earlier careers, he turned to a third on his retirement, that of Academic and Savant, enrolling for an MA in Fine Arts at the University of Essex. What his tutors made of this dapper figure in a suit, with watch-chain, tie-pin and breast-pocket handkerchief, working alongside students a third of his age, we can only guess. Typical of Paddie's cheek was that, unimpressed by the quality of the lecturing, he offered to train the tutors in presentation skills, in return for free tuition. Surprisingly, his offer was not accepted!
But his thesis was accepted and he was encouraged to broaden it into a more substantial work. The result was his Magnum Opus ‘The Romanesque Fonts of Northern Europe’. It is a magisterial work of scholarship. All of us are now required to get one and there will be a test on it at Christmas. Ann tells me that it is selling well and his publishers only recently asked Paddle if he could produce a second, companion, volume. Ann supported and encouraged him, and he engaged in friendly rivalry with Lynne, his daughter-in-law, herself an art historian and author. In recognition of his achievements in research and publication, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries 8 years ago - no mean feat for a former soldier and industrialist. Sadly, despite all this achievement, his later years were clouded by loss and distress. With typical bravery and good humour, he fought off the onset of his cancer for some years, and lived life with Ann to the full. But then it came again, and would not he denied. Added to which, to their great sorrow, he and Ann lost their only and much-loved son, Jonathan, to cancer also, at the early age of 45, two years ago. He had been a most promising archaeologist and leisure administrator, and they were immensely proud of him. It was a grievous blow to them, especially as Ann was suffering from failing eyesight. But it was a blow which they bore with great dignity and courage. Eventually, over the past month his health deteriorated rapidly, to the inevitable end. It is some consolation that he was in fact able to go gently into that good night, with little further pain or suffering. He simply slipped his moorings and moved quietly out into the flood tide, and so home.
To Ann and Lynne, Jonathan's wife, go our heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the loss of such a splendid husband and father-in-law. It is a crushing loss, none the less severe for having been some time in the coming.
And what are we who are left, to make of this extraordinary life? There is the unquenchable good humour and sense of fun that Paddie always displayed: it was always a special pleasure to be in touch with him because of this. There is his constant loyalty to his old school, from which he had gained so much, and to the Army, despite its treatment of him. There is his courage and refusal to daunted by the most adverse circumstances, his determination to live his and Ann's life to the full, in disregard of all the effects of his illness. There is his use of all his abilities in the service of good causes, including his artistic and intellectual gifts. And there are his happy relationships with his family and all with whom he came into contact. All this leaves me with the greatest admiration for everything that Paddie was and did; also the renewed determination: ‘if Paddie Drake can do it - so can I'. I am sure he would have approved.    Colin Brant
[Summarised in B&C 105]

Lt PF Gedge of Mundesley on 1 Jun 2005. He served with the Royal Norfolk Regt.   Simon Gedge
[B&C 105]

William Hansen of Bradwell, Norfolk, after a long illness, on 29 Sep 2004. He served with 4 Royal Norfolk and was a regular attender at the Gorleston Reunion Dinners. William is survived by his widow Joyce and daughter Susan.    Susan Wooldridge.
[B&C 105]

Edwin ‘Ted’ George Johnson on 16 Oct 1944, at Molem Beek while serving with 1 Royal Norfolk. Born 14 Dec 1914 at Battersea, London, son of Charles Fredrick Johnson, late of the Kings Royal Rifles, and his wife Elizabeth Sarah Johnson, Ted was educated in Battersea.
It was the 1930’s so employment was scarce and I believe that Edwin found employment as a steel erector until he enlisted in the Army on a regular engagement in Jan 1933. After initial training at the Depot he was posted to 2 R Norfolk in Jun 1933. In Dec 1935 he was posted to the 1st Bn and shipped off to India, (no doubt delighted with this as it was winter in England) where he served until the Bn was recalled on 29 Dec 1939. Ted was posted to the 5th Bn in Jan 1940 and at the end of Apr 1940 posted to 8 Independent Company. In Jun 1940 Ted was promoted to LCpl and posted to No 1 Commando 11 Independent Coy. At the end of July Ted returned to 8 Independent Coy. In Nov 1940, Ted was posted to 1 Special Service Battalion Dartmouth and promoted to Sgt. In Mar 1941 Ted was yet again posted to No 1 Commando. It was at about this time he married Glenys Elfreda Davis. In Feb 1942 Ted was posted to No 22 RAF Training Centre (I’ve been told he was a bit of a high flyer.) later rejoining 1 Royal Norfolk. Ted was with them on the D-Day operations and was killed in action on 16 Oct 1944 whilst attempting to cross the Molem Beek near Overloon. Ted left a son Douglas T Johnson, born 19 Aug 1942. There are very few remaining relatives of Edwin alive; a son who has two children, Tracy and Phillip, a great-granddaughter, also a nephew, Raymond Johnson who is married to Marion. They have a son Paul, who has a daughter Kate. A Father unknown but who will always be remembered.    Doug Johnson
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Click here for more about Doug's quest for information.

Jack George Richard Lingwood of Great Yarmouth on 28 Sep 2005, aged 90. He served with 4 R Norfolk and was a FEPOW. Until recently he was a familiar sight cycling around the town. In 1998 Jack, aged 83, appeared at the Norwich Cottages Remembrance Day Service having cycled the 23 miles from Great Yarmouth. Jack was a regular attender at the Gorleston Reunion Dinners.

Below is the eulogy given at the funeral at St Nicholas Church Great Yarmouth on 6 Oct 2005 by the Revd John Greenway.
Today we come together to pray and to give thanks for one whose life has come to an end. The end of a persons life always comes as a shock to us. The very fact that a life has come to an end and that someone we knew is no longer with us introduces a void, an emptiness which no other person can ever fill.

It is in this way that you have come here today, the Family and friends of Jack George Richard Lingwood, with sorrow as you mourn his passing, and also in love for him that he has fulfilled life’s journey here on earth. But let this also be a time when you give thanks to God for his life, and for all that he has meant to each one of you, and for all that she achieved. In a few moments of silence, I invite you to call to mind your own personal memories of him.

Jack was born on 15 Feb 1915, he was one of a family of six children four boys, Ernie, William, Jimmy and Jack, and two girls Jessy and Hilda born James Lingwood and his wife Minnie. The family home was at 15 Jubilee Place, and it was here that Jack was brought up, and from where he attended St Mary’s School on Albion Road. On leaving school, Jack went to work at Lacon's Brewery, and this was to remain his place of work, except for his war service, until he retired.

As a young man in the 1930’s, Jack like many young men at that time joined the territorial army, and with the outbreak of the second world war he with all the others became full time soldiers in the Royal Norfolk Regiment. Jack became a physical training instructor, and rose to the rank of corporal, but I am told he did not remain at this rank for too long. After standing up for something which he considered unjust, he rapidly returned to being a private.

Most of us are aware of the plight of members of the Norfolk Regiment who, with others, were posted to the far east, Jack was among that group of men who became prisoners of war in the hands of the Japanese.

In those years after his return home Jack could be found, in his spare time, touting for the boat trips of the beach in the summer months, and at other times he would do chimney sweeping for those who needed his assistance.

As a young man, Jack had met a young a young lady by the name of Florence Rodgers, that friendship developed, and Jack and Florence married on 7 Oct 1939 in the Great Yarmouth Registry Office. Jack and Florence were to become the proud parents of 3 children, Jack, Geoffrey and Jean, and were later to become the much loved grandparents of eleven grandchildren, and later great grandchildren.

Jack was a very well known character in Great Yarmouth through his great enthusiasm for cycling. In his younger days he had won many awards for his cycling activities, and he had continued to be a very familiar sight cycling about the town right up until quite recently. But it did not end with him cycling around the town, he still continued to have his excursions into the countryside where his favourite stopping of place was a café in Stokesby. Not a bad record for a man approaching in his 90s.

Jack was also a keen runner. One of his ambitions was to run a marathon, this he never achieved, but he did keep himself fit with his runs along the sea front, ending up at the Marina Centre for a swim.

His talents did not end with his athletic activities, for he was also a man with an artistic gift, an artist having over the years produced many paintings. As a young man he discovered he had a gift for calligraphy. Jack loved music and enjoyed particularly listening to classical music,and I understand he preferred this to watching television,

After the sad death of his wife some ten years ago, Jack continue to live on his own with the help of his family. He enjoyed visits and his weekly shopping trips to the town with his daughter Jean, each Sunday he would spend time and enjoy having his dinner with his son Geoffrey, and every Tuesday he could be found meeting his son Jack, as he left work at North Denes Garage, and going for tea with him, and often to be followed by a trip to Norwich.

I spoke earlier about Jack's cycling. He was for many years a member of the Yarmouth and Gorleston Wheelers and had served this group as their chairman. Jack was, as we might expect, a member of that group of comrades who were until recently The Far East Prisoners of War, and during his time he had served them also as their chairman.

Jack was described to me by his family as being a very good dad, he was, they said, easy to talk to and very understanding. He was greatly loved by them and he will be greatly missed. His personality was such that he was generally a quiet man, but he was a person who would always take the side of anyone being exploited. Among Jacks personal effect their was a small piece of paper on which was written two prayers, and I think this helps us to remind us of the kind of man he was. I’ve been asked to share them with you.

Dear Lord
For all in pain we pray to thee.
O come and smite again thine enemy.
Give to thy servants skill to sooth and bless
And to the tired and ill Give quietness.
And Lord to those who Know Pain may not cease
Come near that even so They may have peace.
Amy Carmichael

I will lay me down in peace and take my rest
For it is thou Lord only that makes me dwell in safety.

Sadly, Jack was taken ill recently and admitted into the James Paget Hospital and it was here that he died on 28 Sep at the age of 90.
To all of you here today, to all his family and friends, we express our sympathy at the loss of Jack. But although he is no longer physically with you, you all have your own personal lasting memories of him as a loving father, grandfather and friend.
At times like this you struggle with the loss of one known by you all, your grief is both natural and necessary, but there is our Christian hope in Jesus who died and rose again, this gives us hope and faith that in the weeks and months to come your hurt will be healed.
So today we commit Jack into the arms of the loving Saviour, giving thanks for his life and for all that he achieved in his life.
May he rest this day in peace.
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Albert Locke of Norwich on 18 Aug 1992 aged 76. Albert joined 1 R Norfolk at Sialkot near Delhi, India, as a Bandboy in May 1932 and returned to the UK in 1938. Captured in Jun 1939 at Le Paradis he was a POW at Danzig Stalag 8 before being repatriated in 1943. He served at Britannia Barracks 1943-45 then Berlin in 1945.    Stephen Locke
(Click here for an appeal for more information on Albert's service.)
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Tom Nicol of Peterborough on 17 Jul 2005, aged 72. He served with the MMG Platoon of 1 Royal Norfolk in Korea.    John Denny
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Maj AL Philps of Redhill, Surrey in Jan 2005 aged 92. He served with the Royal Norfolks.
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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.

(With acknowledgement to the EDP and The Times.)
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Leonard Horace Self of Norwich on 16 Jan 05, aged 87. He served with the Royal Norfolk Regiment and is survived by his widow Elsie.    JLR
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Donald Ralph Stenhouse in 1982. He served with the Royal Norfolk Regiment in WW2 as a despatch rider and was taken POW during the campaign. Thankfully and amazingly he returned home after the war. Donald is survived by his son Lawrie.
(See an appeal for more information.)    Lawrie Stenhouse and JLR
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5772671 Sgt Sidney Ernest Winter of Gt Yarmouth, on 30 Aug 2005, aged 84. He served with 2 R Norfolk Apr 1937- Jan 1945, 2nd Loyals 1945-48, K Force in Korea 1950-52 and The Royal Engineers 1952-1967.
(For an account of the K Force, see B&C 94 Jun 00.)
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