Leslie
Gordon Boast
of Mendham, Norfolk, on 6 October 2006, aged 77. Known as Gordon, he was
badged Royal Norfolk and completed his basic training with Salamanca Pl
‘C’ Coy EABTB at Meanee Barracks, Colchester, in Oct 1949. Subsequently
he served with 1 Bedfs & Herts when they were the Demonstration Bn at
The School of Infantry, Warminster. Peter Kent
[B&C 107] |
2217791
Fred Burton
of Theydon Bois, Epping, Essex on 31 Oct 2006 aged 98. He
enlisted into 1 Norfolk in Apr 1928 and
served in Shanghai and in India, where he was the champion
runner of the Bn. Fred was discharged in 1944 and joined the
London Branch.
Photographs of Fred and his service in those
far-off days were in
B&C 104 Jun 05.
He is survived by his widow Betty. JLR
[B&C 107] |
|
 Cpl
Jim Cameron
of Cobourg, Ontario, on 1 Aug 2006, aged 79,
after a long illness, bravely borne. He joined the 2nd Bn in India in 1945,
serving in ‘B’ Coy on Aid to the Civil Power duties in Calcutta and in the
Punjab and North-West Frontier Provinces, during the fraught and bloody
period leading to the Partition of India. In 1947 he returned to the UK, the
2nd Bn disbanded and he was demobbed in 1948. After returning to civilian
life, he married Marjorie and lived in Lincolnshire until they emigrated to
Canada, where he raised a family, became an active citizen including
indefatigable involvement in the Canadian Legion. A strong supporter of the
Regimental Association, he spent much time in endeavouring to contact as
many as possible of his 2nd Bn comrades in the UK. He made a continued
effort to support the annual gathering of 30 or so members of the 2nd Bn
held in London at the Union Jack Club on or around 15 Aug to mark Indian
Independence day, it being the date in 1947 on which the 2nd Bn sailed for
home from Bombay in the ‘Georgic’ as the first British regiment to
leave India. On two occasions he flew over from Canada to join the
gathering,
during the last of which he distributed Canadian coins and badges
to all present!
Jim was a good soldier, with an independent spirit, a strong sense of
justice and, particularly in his last years, great courage in the face of
personal adversity. He kept the news of his spreading cancer from his family
for much longer than they had known. A few days before he died, he sent a
message to all at the forthcoming 15 Aug gathering, thanking his 2nd Bn
comrades for their friendship and ending ‘Thank you again, guys, and
goodbye.’ Capt Ian Page
(Click
here for Jim's account of his service life
from the BBC 'WW2
People's War' site. Jim was a regular correspondent and it was planned
that next time the Webmaster was in Ontario we would meet.
JLR)
[B&C 107]
|
Alwyn
Chinnery of Wimbotsham, Norfolk, in 2006 aged 90. Conscripted
into 5 Norfolk on the outbreak of WW2 he deployed to the Far East with them
in 1941. As a PoW he worked on the infamous Burma railway then in rubber
plantations and on jungle airstrips. 2 out of 3 of his colleagues did not
live to see the end of the war. Returning to England he met Edna and they
married in 1947. Alwyn worked for the Co-op as a milkman then on the
maintenance team at Campbell’s Soup factory. Alwyn was very reclusive but a
gifted artist, self-taught. His scenes of Thailand and Burma are deeply
expressive. His family and friends mourn
his passing. It is the end of an era. He is survived by his widow Edna and 4
daughters. With acknowledgements to the Lynn News
[B&C 106] |
W Dye
of Cliff Park, Gorleston on 21 Feb
2006. A FEPOW, he served with the 4th Bn. Members of the
4th Bn OCA attended his Thanksgiving Service and a
Regimental Wreath was placed. John
Housego
[B&C 106] |
A Edgar
of Telford, Shropshire on 26 Oct
2006. He served with the 4th Bn.
[B&C 107] |
Stanley Garner
of Gaywood, Norfolk, in 2006, aged
88. He left school at the age of 13 to start work. Already a pre-war
Territorial Army soldier, Stanley was called up in Jul 1939, joining the R
Norfolks, travelling to France with them by boat in Jan 1940. He was
captured and became a prisoner of war for 5 years. In civilian life he
worked for British Sugar at King’s Lynn for 37 years. He married Edna in
1947. A talented musician, he could play several instruments without the
need for sheet music. A very active man, other passions were gardening and
taking daily walks. He was a loving family man who will be greatly missed.
Stanley is survived by his widow Edna and children Tony, Sheila and Helen.
With acknowledgements to the Lynn News
[B&C 107] |
Frederick
William Howlett of Clenchwarton,
Norfolk, suddenly, on 14 October 2006, aged 71. Bill signed for a regular 3
year engagement with the Royal Norfolk Regt in June 1953 and, following
basic training at Britannia Barracks, was posted to 1 R Norfolk in Hong Kong
joining the MMG Platoon, Sp Coy, located at Dills Corner Camp. He soon had a
stripe on his arm, then two. Bill remained with the MMG Pl throughout his
engagement moving, in Nov 1954, with the Bn back to the UK and Roman Way
Camp, Colchester, then to Cyprus in 1955 at the outset of the EOKA
emergency. His return to UK and civilian life in July 1956 was fleeting
since in August, owing to the Suez crisis, he was recalled to the Colours,
promoted to Sergeant and found himself back in Cyprus, this time with the
Defence Pl at Field Records. He was released again in February 1957,
returning to his place of birth in Terrington St Clements. Bill was a
Councillor for several years and for many years an enthusiastic member of
Terrington St Clements bowling club, later in life switching to golf.
He attended the North Elmham re-unions and 18 former Royal Norfolk
colleagues formed a Guard of Honour for Bill at his funeral at St Clements
Church, Terrington St Clements. Bill is survived
by his long time partner Pat Featherstone. John Denny
[B&C 107]
|
Michael O'Regan
of Holt in late Sep 2006. He served with 1 R Norfolk in Cyprus and attended
the North Elmham re-unions. John Denny
[B&C 107]
|
|
14822805 Walter
Harry 'Oss'
Osborne of
Scarborough on 27 Sep 06, aged 80. He served in the 1st Bn 1945-56. Oss was
born in Norwich on 7 Aug 1926. His father had served in the Norfolk Regiment
and Oss, following in his footsteps, joined the army in 1944. Posted to 1 R
Norfolk in 1945 he remained with the battalion throughout his service with
tours in BAOR, Dover, Crowborough, Korea, Hong Kong, Colchester and Cyprus.
For the majority of his service he was a stalwart of the 3” Mortar Platoon
becoming the Pl Sgt and seeing the platoon through its time in Korea. In
Hong Kong he moved, in 1953, to the MT as Tech Sgt until taking over as ‘B’
Coy CSgt in late 1954 on the return of the Bn to UK. After seeing through
the emergency tour in Cyprus, Oss left the army in 1957. When at Colchester
Oss had met Mickey and they were married on 26 Feb 1955. On leaving the army
Oss joined the NHS and by dint of much hard graft and ‘spare time’ study
qualified in accountancy. Working first in Suffolk and then, in following
his career, came to his final post as Assistant Treasurer Humberside Area
Health Authority. Owing to hearing difficulties (those mortars again) Oss
took early redundancy in December 1982. Oss, who for some years had been in
poor health, is survived by his wife Mickey. John Denny
(B&C 99 Dec 02 & B&C 100 Jul 03 carried his majestic pieces on Berlin and in
B&C 105 Dec 05 was the wonderful tale of ‘Tim and a very Grave affair’. Ed.)
[B&C 107 with above full version in B&C 108] |
|
Dr Dudley Payne
of
Narbeth, Pembrokeshire on 2 August 2006. He served in the 7th Bn and was a
member of the Normandy Club. He is survived by his wife Helen.
[B&C 107][ |
|
Col John Murray Petit
OBE of Malvern, Worcestershire, on 3 Jul
2006, 3 weeks after his 87th birthday. He served with the 1st and 2nd Bns, 1
E Anglian and with the R Anglian Regt. Commissioned into the R Norfolk Regt
in May 1940 he served with the 2nd Bn in Yorkshire until May 1941. Posted as
IO to 4 Inf Bde in UK, in 1942 he went with them to India where they became
part of 2 Div. John saw active service against the Japanese in Assam, Kohima
and Burma. Promoted Major he became Bde Maj to 6 Inf Bde, returning to the
UK at the end of Japanese hostilities. After Staff College he served with
the Bn in Cyprus, Korea and BAOR. Then followed various Staff appointments
in the War Office including a ‘Q’ appointment at the Staff College
Camberley. After serving as MoD Colonel Intelligence, dealing with the
Warsaw Pact, he became Deputy Head of the Joint Intelligence Staff in the
Cabinet Office. At a Requiem Mass held at St Wulfstan's Roman Catholic
Church, Little Malvern,
John Randle, son of Capt Jack Randle VC, represented the
Regt, wearing a Royal Norfolk tie.
[B&C 107 & 108] |
|
Ronald Frederick
Shafto of Terrington, Norfolk, in Aug 2006, aged 86. He
joined the Norfolk Regt in 1938 and was captured in France in 1940. Shipped
by cattle truck to Poland he became known as Fritz. After catching
meningitis, his weight dropping to 5 stone, he was repatriated by the Red
Cross in 1944 and posted, until demob in 1946, to the RAOC in Cambridge.
There he met Nora, whom he wed in 1947. Working on the land in his civilian
life, he retired as stockman at Banklands, living at High House for 47
years. He is survived by his widow Nora, daughters Barbara, Pam and Margaret
and 3 grandchildren. With acknowledgements to the Lynn News.
[B&C 107]
|
Donald A
Symonds of Harleston, Norfolk on 23 Sep
06 following a long illness. Don, born at Redenhall on 18 Dec 1934, was
called for his National Service in March 1955 deferred from the norm by his
trade apprenticeship. After training at Britannia Barracks, during which he
signed for a regular engagement of three years, Don was posted to, and
served throughout, with C Coy 1 R Norfolk at Colchester, Cyprus and Iserlohn
BAOR. An excellent soldier, he was soon selected for promotion and attained
the rank of full Corporal before returning in 1957 to civilian life and his
trade as plumber. He worked for the firm of Blackburn's for a number of
years until around the age of 50 he became self employed. Don married Dot in
1959, settled and brought up his family in Harleston. He took his allegiance
to football over the border and supported Ipswich! He was also keen on stock
car racing and later took up bowling. A Thanksgiving Service was held at the
Parish Church of St Mary, Redenhall on 6 Oct. The Church was filled with
family and friends and this included a good number of ex Royal Norfolk
colleagues. Last Post and Reveille was sounded (and was faultless). Don is
survived by his wife Dot, sons Kevin and Martin, grandchildren Luke (now
serving with 1 R Anglian) and Simone. John Denny
[B&C 107]
|
 Gordon
Wiseman, of Essex, tragically, aged 42, in Jun 2006, on ‘Fathers
Day’, in a road traffic accident. The other vehicle driver was killed and
Gordon's 7 year old daughter was seriously injured.
A model of the MV Georgic, built in 1955 by the late James Booth and
presented by his grandson Andrew Booth in 2003, was most skilfully
refurbished by Gordon. It was on display at the
Aug 2005 ‘Georgic Lunch’ of The Independence of India (1947) Association
and at the Sep 2005 Association Dinner. The model now resides in the R
Norfolk Regimental Museum in Norwich, bearing a plaque with the names of the
maker, donor and restorer. Ron Stokoe represented the Regiment at Gordon’s
funeral and a wreath of yellow and red flowers with a black ribbon,
including an image of Britannia, was laid. Ron Stokoe
[B&C 107]
|
|
Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and
Castle
B&C Norfolk
Editor