The Glosters Old Comrades

The Glosters OCA - Blog posts from Obituaries

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Lesley Allen, Ist Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment, 1930 – 2023

Lesley Allen, Ist Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment, 1930 – 2023

Lesley Allen, ex-C Company 1 Glosters, died peacefully at home on the 19th of July aged 93. Born in Hampshire, in 1930, he signed up in 1947, and served with the Royal Hampshires, the Dorsets and the Wiltshires, before volunteering for the Glosters to fight in Korea. In later life, he recounted his experiences for Operation Portrait, which is a record of the last survivors of the battle. Lesley will feature in a book - ‘The Final Roll Call’ - to be published this autumn.

Recalling the battle of the Imjin River, he described the shock of becoming aware of thousands of Chinese advancing from the valley below - like an army of ants. In wave after wave, they attacked - mostly in the dark - with bugles sounding all night long. When it got tough, someone said, “We are British Bulldogs, and we don’t give up”.
When the order came, he tried to break out but didn’t stand a chance. Initially, he believed that he was about to be summarily shot, but some of his chums joined him and the moment passed. He then became a POW for over two years and was kept in terrible conditions. Once more, the Glosters stuck together and helped each other through their harsh ordeal.

On his release in 1953, he returned to the UK and tried to sign on for a full career. Despite everything that he had been through he still loved army life – “we were all in it together” was the way he described it. However, he was persuaded not to apply and, instead, settled back in Hampshire in Southampton. There he lived for the rest of his life, married, and fathered 7 children. He is survived by over 80 direct descendants. There now remain just 8 survivors from the battle.

Plans for the funeral are currently yet to be agreed. Condolences to the family should be sent to Lesley’s daughter, Sabrina, at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Picture of Leslie taken earlier in the year at the Scattering of Sam Mercer's Ashes @ Imjin Barracks

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George Eric Musgrave.

George Eric Musgrave.

Obituary

George joined The REME attachment assigned to the 1st Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment in the Summer of 1949. He deployed with Regiment to Korea in November 1950 and remained there until November 1951, During this time his attachment provided much-needed support to the 1st Battalion during The Battle of the Imjin River. George left the army in 1953 at the age of 23 years.
George and his family visited the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum on many occasions and he was very proud to have his name included on the 'Imjin Role' within the museum He was also very happy and proud to be able to attend both the 50th and 60th Commemorations of The Battle of The Imjin River in Gloucester Cathedral, which enabled him to meet up with his remaining fellow Korean Veterans.
George was a keen follower of the Regimental Website and his family said that he would have been extremely proud to have his name entered within the Regimental remembrance pages, hence his obituary will be listed alongside those Glosters he served with in Korea.

Ray Chivers

Ray Chivers

22494956 Ray Chivers, 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. who died on the 11th of March 2023, aged 89 years. Ray joined the Glosters just after the Battle of the Imjin River and was discharged on the 18th of June 1953.
On leaving the Army Ray had a variety of jobs over the years from building work then the Smelting works at Avonmouth, and finally a Security officer until retirement. Ray married shortly after leaving the Army to Shiela who passed away ten years ago. They are survived by their children Lorraine, Wendy and Philip.
Ray's funeral is on the 18th of April at 1330hrs at Canford crematorium, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3PQ. The County Chairman will be presenting a Regimental wreath on the day and there will be a celebration of his life afterwards at the Shirehampton Working Men’s Club, High Street, Shirehampton, BS11 0DG. All are welcome.

Michael Davey

Michael Davey

 Michael Davey aged 86. He served with the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment during his national service from September 1955 until October 1957. He was posted to the Middle East in Aden and Cyprus. When he left the regiment he joined TWW in Bristol, which later became HTV, as a film and television sound engineer and retired after 40 years. He held very fond memories of his time as a Gloster and quite naturally when I decided on a short service commission there was no question that I would not wear the same Back Badge with as much pride as he.

Major(QM) Phillip Hall MBE

Major(QM) Phillip Hall MBE

Tribute to Major Philip Henry Hall MBE

Many are aware of the recent death of Maj Philip Henry Hall. Phil Hall died on 28th February 2023 aged
78. After attending IJLB Oswestry (1960-62) he trained at the Wessex Depot (Aug 62 to Jan 63) before joining 1st Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment. There he rose to the rank of Sgt and in 1968 was the Kophinou District Signals Sgt during a UN tour of Cyprus. Subsequently he became the battalion signals sgt.
 
By 1970 Sgt Hall was amongst those transferring to 1st Glosters at Honiton in preparation for an amalgamation that would not take place; the men of Tiger Company were welcomed. Thereafter the armoured role in BAOR (Minden), tours of Northern Ireland and freedom marches provided much context while Phil found time to court and then marry Dawn in August 1971. Later and as a SNCO, Phil achieved a distinguished result on the RSOs Course before becoming the RSWO (Jan 74-Nov 75). He subsequently returned to the School of Infantry as an instructor at the Signals Wing in 1978. This posting followed periods of employment such as Trg Wg WO and CSM HQ Coy while 1st Glosters were at Weeton, Belize, Wainwright and Ballykelly in addition to activity such as the Clansman Radio Trials and Ex CLEFT STICK.
 
In Nov 79 WO2 Phil Hall was awarded a short service commission and became MTO 1 GLOSTERS at Munster. Thereafter his service comprised a variety of postings beginning with a year at Shorncliffe’s IJLB from late 81 followed by the Depot Crickhowell where he was OC HQ Coy; during this time he gained a Special Regular Commission. Phil departed Cwrt-y-Gollen in mid 85 a year or so before its closure and returned to 1st Glosters with a QM’s commission and as Tech QM, initially at Tidworth and then Berlin. In Nov 87 Maj Phil Hall took over the role of QM 4 UDR from John Venus and worked for three COs, Christopher Newbould, Mike Smith RGJ and John Moody QRIH at 4/6 UDR. He was held in high esteem and was awarded the MBE. Meanwhile the pro-longed tour enabled the Halls to provide continuity for Tracey’s education. QM 1 WESSEX was his penultimate appointment before retiring in 2000 having first completed a number of years as OC of the Cadet Trg Team Bicester.
 
By late 2000 Maj (Retd) Phil Hall was appointed to the RO3 role as Asst Reg Sec RGBW, vice Humphrey Britton-Johnson. He held the post for almost ten years and experienced further change in 2007 with the formation of The Rifles. Many will recall Dawn’s death in March 2011 following a short illness. Now and in remembering them both several have remarked on how they benefitted from Phil’s expertise, practical advice and knowledge. A mentor to many he kept in touch with friends and comrades in each of his regiments. Phil was a trustee to the military aid (welfare) fund of the Royal Hampshire's from 2014-2022.


Mike Motum

Joeseph Michael Parker

Joeseph Michael Parker

Joseph Michael Parker who died on the 14th of February 2023 aged 80. Joe joined the 5thBattalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment in January 1959 and in 1960 attended Junior Leader Regiment. He was posted to the 1st Battalion in 1960 and served with them until 1971 when he was posted back to junior leaders as Orderly Room Sergeant for two years and then back to the Regiment. In 1975 he was posted to 1 D&D, in 1976 to Depot Crickhowell, in 1978 Infantry Junior Leaders and in 1980 to 2 Mercian Regiment, all these postings were as Chief Clerk.
 
Joe served in Cyprus, Swaziland, Berlin, West Germany, and Northern Ireland leaving the army as Warrant Officer Class 2. Joe had been suffering from an aneurysm for some time and had a fall at the beginning of February in Shirehampton whilst shopping. He was taken to Southmead Hospital where they found his aneurysm had deteriorated and his kidneys were failing. Sadly his condition worsened and he was put on end-of-life care and made as comfortable as possible. Joe had his 80th birthday on Thursday 9th February and members of his family were at his bedside to celebrate although Joe was extremely ill. The hospital staff were very caring right to the end and Joe passed peacefully at 0815 on Tuesday, February 14th 2023.
 
Joe's funeral will be at Canford Cemetery & Crematorium, Canford Road, Bristol BS9 3PQ at 1115hrs on 23rd March 2023. The venue for the wake has not yet been confirmed but will be included in a service notification closer to the date. Joe’s funeral is being organised by one of his cousins; Alan (Dusty) Miller - 157 Tring Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6NZ. Tel 07736 740743 or 01296 696162. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Alan's father was John 'Dusty' Miller (deceased) who also served 25 years with the Glosters including in Korea and his brother Andrew was also a Gloster for 25 years ending his career with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Once again, on behalf of all members of the Regimental Association, we send our sincere condolences to Alan and the rest of the family. A service notification will be published closer to the event as a reminder.

Joseph Michael Parker

Joseph Michael Parker

Joe served with 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt 28th/61s from January 1960 to February 1983 

Joe joined as a Junior Leader in 1960 and left after 23 years service as a WO2.
Army Certificate of Education Class 1 & Trade Clerk Class 1. Admitted as a member of the Institute of supervisory Management 1981. His last position was office manager with the TA - he served with distinction in Cyprus, Aden,Swaziland, Berlin, West Germany, Northern Ireland and England. Discharged at end of service
with Exemplary Conduct sheet. Medals gained GSM & Bar and LS&GC. 

Joe Died on 14th February 2023

The Death of Mr & Mrs Stan and June Knipes.

Mr & Mrs Stan & June Knipes

No More Parades (Belated Notice): It is my sad duty to inform the passing of Mr & Mrs Stan and June Knipes.

Stan Joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment in the fifty’s and then moved to the 5th battalion of the Gloucestershire regiment. In the seventies, he set up the Royal Berkshire Severn branch as he had found that a lot of Gloucester lads had been put in the Berks and not the Glosters like himself. He was the driving force behind the branch and association, when the regiment’s amalgamated into the RGBW, Stan and branch members decided to rename the branch to the RGBW Severn Branch.
He saw the only way to keep the former Regiment’s history alive was by encouraging younger members to join. To this aim, he has succeeded by leaving a successful branch. That supports the Maiwand Parade, Back Badged Day Parade, Imjin Lunch, Winchester Lunch, Local charities and events. Stan finally gave up standing on the Branch committee in 2016, after over forty year’s loyal commitment, not only to the branch but the association through all its changes. Both Stan and June’s funerals took place, at St James’s Church Quegdeley Gloucester on the 9th of February 2023stan knipe

Mr Stan Knipe receiving the President Certificate of Appreciations from the Chairman at the Severn Branch Christmas Lunch in 2018

24375344 Pte Alan Lloyd

4375344 Pte Alan Lloyd aged 69 Years. Quiet and thoughtful, Alan combined a dry sense of humour with a determined character. Being a private sort of man, he never sought the limelight but took pride in being a highly capable and utterly reliable field soldier.

Alan trained at Cwrt-y-Gollen camp in 1975, rebadging from the RWF to join D Coy, 1 Glosters in Weeton in 1976. Following the Canada exercise that year, he was selected for duty with the Gloster Close Observation Platoon (COP) for the 1977-79 Ballykelly tour.
The Glosters were privileged to be amongst the first to pioneer COP - then an exciting new concept. Over the next 18 months, Alan deployed on numerous testing operations, always serving with distinction. In later years, he recalled this period as the highlight of his career.
When the Glosters left Ballykelly, Alan returned to the Anti-Tank Platoon, he subsequently served on tours in both Germany and the UK, including a return to operations in Northern Ireland. On leaving the Army in 1989, he initially worked for the Royal Mint. Later, he became a Game Keeper and also worked with horses. Both roles suited him well and were a good fit for his personality. On retirement, he settled in Peterstow, Herefordshire, close to the Yew Tree Inn, where he was held in great affection. Alan lived there quietly and modestly until his death last month.

Stephen (Steve) Edward James Wright

Stephen (Steve) Edward James Wright

 Steve was born to Jim and Lil in Torquay in 1947 only 11 months after his older brother, Brian. A young child with dark eyes, olive skin and blonde curly hair. He was 1 of 7 children - 6 boys (Brian, Steve, Edwin, John, Kevin (deceased 2008) and Paul) and 1 girl (Liz).

He left school at 15 and went to work on the railways at Newton Abbot. A couple of years later, he joined the army, the Gloucestershire Regiment.  He had fond memories of being a physical training instructor, signals platoon and driving high-ranking officers around. Steve enjoyed tours to Berlin and Cyprus, returning so bronzed in colour. He also spent time in Northern Ireland. 

Steve married Tracy in September 1985. Enjoyed by the family with a lovely party in the Crown and Sceptre afterwards. He had four children, two from a previous marriage; Sarah and Simon and then Vicky and Lizzie with his dear Tracy. Later, Steve became Grandad to Ada, Eva and Sidney who loved playing with him. How he adored them so much, they brought him so much joy.

Steve died at home in Torquay on the 31st of December 2022, aged 75 years. Beloved husband of the late Tracy, much loved dad to Vicky and Lizzie and devoted grandad to Ada, Eva and Sidney. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. 

Steve's funeral will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4QY on Monday 30th of January 2023 at 13.45. Please wear what you are comfortable with. Family flowers only but donations, if desired, for the Rowcroft Hospice at Home team by retiring collection. Please contact Coop Funeral Care, Moorview Funeral Home, 79-85 Barton Road, Torquay, TQ2 7NY. Tel 01803 311511

      

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