The Glosters OCA - Blog - Page 2

Slasher's News

Stan Gunnell

Please be advised of the passing of Pte Stan Gunnell late Glosters. 

Stan served as a national serviceman with the Glosters in February 1951, having completed his basic training Stan was on a merchant Ship as part of a detachment of reinforcements on their way to report to the 1st Battalion who were then fighting in Korea, however, whilst crossing the very rough Bay of Biscay the ships engine packed up. Suffering with acute sea sickness the detachment were rescued by a Tugboat and ferried to Gibraltar. The Consequence of this incident meant that the detachment arrived just too late to take part in the Epic Battle of the Imjin River.

Subsequently Stan went on to serve with the Glosters in Korea & the UK and led a long and happy life. Has he was a keen member of the Severn Branch of the Regimental Association members will carry standards at Stans funeral on the 24th June at 13:30 hrs in Gloucester Crematorium.

Letters of condolences may be sent to his Daughters Maureen Dunn and Alison Harris C/O Goodwins funeral Directors Peter Scott House 2, Heathville Road Gloucester GL1 3DP

Roy Watkins

It is with heavy heart that we have to report the passing of Roy Watkins 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regiment.

Roy joined 14 pln D Coy in the early 60s and had a remarkable career reaching the rank of WO2.
Roy was a popular comrade and friend to us all and made his mark on a lot of us helping to shape the men we are today.
Condolences have been sent to his wife Val and family stalwart members of the Forest of Dean Branch Roy will be sadly missed. Details of his funeral will be published later.

Eric Le Feuvre

No More Parades: It is our sad duty to inform the passing of Korean Veteran 22378510 Pte Eric Le Feuvre, of the 1st Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment.

His passing was notified by his daughter Lorraine. Eric served with the Glosters in Korea as a driver and on return to the UK was posted to the 4th Royal Hampshire's for discharge. The Somerset County Chairman is liaising with the family in Southampton and a service notice will be produced when all details are confirmed. 

Roy Watkins

From Len Keeling, really sad news.
It is my sad duty to inform you that Roy Watkins’s passed away today. Peacefully in his garden chair at home.

Condolences have been sent to Val and Roy’s family and all details will be published when I have them. Roy was my Section cmdr in the early sixties and has been in my life ever since a lovely man who will be sadly missed.
Len RU
As Len has said - Roy was a real supported of all things GLOSTERS and just a lovely fella and I last saw him at Bri Wrights funeral where he gave his seat up to an old gentleman who was probably a lot younger than him !!! He will be sadly missed. RIP Roy

Dave Nicholson

It is our sad duty to inform you that Dave Nicholson passed away on 9th January 2024

Condolences have been passed to the family who have informed me that Dave’s funeral will be held at St Oswalds church Coney Hill followed by a private family ceremony at the crematorium
All are welcome to the church Svc which takes place on 23rd February at 12:30 hrs Regt ties please
RIP Dave

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jim Shaw

We have just received the sad news that Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jim Shaw died on 9 January peacefully at home. In the words of his widow Catherine “I am happy that his suffering is over but of course sad too. It has been a long year; he fought a good fight but sadly lost his battle. We managed to have a few weeks of near normality before he became very ill”.

Jim served in The Gloucestershire Regiment joining the 1st Battalion as a Second Lieutenant and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a first class officer admired and respected by those who were privileged to have served alongside him, be that with The Gloucestershire Regiment or with him on ‘ERE’ postings.

Details of his funeral will be published as they become known.

Our deepest condolences to Catherine Shaw and the family

Anyone wishing to send condolences to Catherine and the family should write to:

Mrs Catherine Shaw
9 St Jame's Place
Welland
Malvern
Worcs
WR13 6BA

"By Our Deeds we are Known"

Mike Marfel

It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of 23674804 Pte Mike Marfel who died on Saturday 6 th January 2024.

Mike was from Raurdean in the Forest of Dean and served with the Ist battalion from 1958-1964.
There will be a Private family only Service at Cinderford crematorium
No further details

Alan "Snake" Aspinwall

From Mick Campbell

Snake Aspinwall passed away on Tuesday 2 January after a fall my condolences to his family,

Snake was my section commander Belfast 74 he and Jutta looked after me as a young soldier baby sat many times for them in Minden.
From me Mick H: The "Snake" of the last few years was not the one I remember but that does not detract from the memories I have of Snake and Jutta and the two gorgeous little blondes who I loved dearly during those BAOR days. Rest in peace buddy.
Keith Kinsey with clarify details soonest.

George Martin

No More Parades/Service Notice: It is my sad duty to inform the passing of 23081423 Pte George Henry Martin, of the 1st Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment.

George passed away on 31st December 2023 after a long illness in Southmead Hospital.

George was born in Scotland on 20thJune 1936 and was raised by his parents in Redland, Bristol with three brothers John (deceased) Brian, Micky and one sister Sally.

George completed National Service in the mid-fifties with service in Kenya (Mau Mau Insurgency) for which he proudly served the Regiment.

After his service, he had numerous jobs including a fireman on the railways and 18 years with the AA as a patrolman from where he retired at 60.

George was married to Mary who passed away last year and leaves a daughter Carol, son Geoff (RAPC 84-99) son Allan (R Sigs 83-07), 6 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren.

The service will be at 1015hrs on Friday 12th January 2024 (the same day as his wife's funeral last year) at Westerleigh Crematorium, Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh, Bristol BS37 8QP.

The family cordially invites any members of the Regimental Association to the service.

The County Chairman will be in attendance with the Regimental drape, wreath, hat and belt. We are also trying to get 2 standard bearers in attendance.

“by our deeds, we are known”

Roger Danter

From Rod Gurney

It is with much sadness that I report the passing of 24114578 Cpl Roger Danter, formerly 1 Glosters, on 12 December 2023 at Gloucester Royal Hospital after a long illness.

Roger served between 1967 and 1979 mainly in the Signal Platoon and Int Section with postings to Chester, Berlin, Honiton, Minden, Weeton, Ballykelly. Many will remember him as a keen fisherman and former member of GAS (Glosters Angling Society) and Good Lads Angling club in Minden.
Roger requested not to have a military funeral and, in accordance with his wishes, a short service will be held at Cheltenham Crematorium at 1400 Friday 12 January 2024 to which family and friends are invited. Family flowers only with any donations to The Royal British Legion
This will be followed by a wake at Gupshill Manor, Tewkesbury

Tony Taylor

No More Parades. It is my sad duty to inform the passing of Tony Taylor of the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. Tony sadly passed away on Wednesday night at the Manor Park Clinic, Weston Super Mare after battling severe Dementia for the last couple of years.

Tony was a great character and regular within the Somerset Branch and a letter of condolences and offer of Association services has been sent to his daughter Dawn. Tony had been regularly visited by his branch pals during his difficult times, but is now at peace.

Details of his funeral will be published in due course when known.

Royston Alexandra Hodges,

It is with much sadness that I have to report the death of 23298360 Royston Alexandra Hodges, who served in the 1st Bn Glosters for 3 years and then spent over 12 years with the 5 th Bn. He also had a long career as a para medic until his retirement.

His funeral will take place at Gloucester Crematorium on Monday 8th January commencing at 12:30 hrs ( pm)
All that served with Roy also friends who knew him are welcome to attend.

Brian Wright

No More Parades. It is my sad duty to inform the passing of Brian Wright, former RSM, Officer and Gentleman of the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. Brian sadly passed away on Tuesday 14th November 2023, at his home in Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon.

A service will be held at Torquay Crematorium, and dates/timings will be published when finalised. The Somerset County Chairman has been in contact with his Son and Daughter (Bob & Sadie) and they have requested full Association support at his funeral. Regimental Drape, Wreath, Hat and belt will be supplied by the County Chairman, but we will need volunteers as standard bearers and a bugler. Bob and Sadie cordially invites all Gloster friends and families to the service.

Anyone wishing to travel on the mini bus from SOGM to the above funeral on the 8th December please contact me on : 07414945062 to book a seat.

Allan Nelson-Case

No More Parades/Service Notice. It is my sad duty to inform the passing of 24742664 Private Allan David Nelson-Case, 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. Allan sadly passed away in Southmead Hospital, Bristol on the 8th of October 2023 aged 56 years. He is survived by his wife Fay Nelson-Case and the family dog “Tinker”.

Allan was Bristol-born and bred and enlisted into The Glosters directly from school on the 7th of May 1985. He served in the UK, Berlin and Northern Ireland and was transferred to the reserve in 1989.
On leaving the Army he was employed in a wide variety of Jobs. Most notably he was a specialist Asbestos removal contractor and the Primary Caretaker for the Public Hall in Shirehampton, Bristol.
Fay has requested full association services at the funeral, The County Chairman will be providing the Regimental drape, hat & belt and presenting the Regimental wreath. We are actively looking for standard bearers and a bugler for the last post and reveille.
Allan's funeral service is being held at Canford Crematorium, Canford Lane, Bristol BS9 3PQ, on Friday 27th of October at 1030hrs. The service is open to all of Allan's comrades who served with him along with any other Veteran wishing to attend to pay their respects. We would be interested in any stories from his military service to share with family and friends on the day. Anyone who has such stories or military experiences of Allan, please send them to (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07788595346), who will be saying a few words on the day.
“by our deeds, we are known”

Martin Welsman

No More Parades. It is my sad duty to inform the passing of 24020322 Martin Welsman, 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment, who died on the 16th of September 2023 aged 76.

He is survived by his son Darren who notified us of his passing. Martin served from 1964 – 1970 and was stationed in the UK, Aden, Mauritius, Cyprus and Berlin.
Martin’s funeral will take place at Westerleigh Crematorium, Bristol, on Monday the 16th of October 2023 at 0945hrs. The County Chairman, Standard bearers and drape will be attending, other local veterans are also invited to pay their respects.

The Rev John Morley-Bunker

It is my sad duty to inform the passing of the Rev John Morley-Bunker, who died at the age of 95 on 9th September 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Morley-Bunker and by sons Michael and Nigel (notifier). Anyone wishing to contact Edna should contact the County Chairman who has her address. John’s funeral will take place at Clifton (RC) Cathedral on Wednesday 27 September at 1100hrs.
John joined the 1stBattalion The Gloucestershire Regiment after the retreat from Rangoon in WW2. He was stationed in India (now Pakistan) until the country's partition and independence in 1947. Later in life, he became a priest in Bristol, first of all, Anglican and later Roman Catholic. A letter of condolence has been sent to the family and the County Chairman will be in attendance, other association members are welcome.

Tony Day

Guys it is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Tony Day (53yrs old)
Tony died of a meningitis related illness and will be cremated on Tuesday 20th June at 11:00hrs in the Coney Hill crematorium Gloucester

Let’s give him a Regimental send off Guys Regt Ties please.
After at the Mulberry Tea Rooms (on the grounds)Condolences have been sent to his family from the Regt Association.

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