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

Here are some photo's from the Glosters Regimental Association New Years Lunch at the Orchard Inn, West Huntspill. Klaus Galeitzke, Ray Margaret, Nick and Dawn were present.

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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"

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

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.

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”

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

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.

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.

Dear All,

Please see attached details re an Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan. Whilst this is unlikely to directly affect our veterans, I forward it to you for your (and their) information. As it is likely that the subject will soon feature in the news, it is important to give our veterans the facts. 

Please pass it on to those that you think will benefit from the information contained within.

{rsfiles path="20231213-Letter_Out_Afghanistan_Inderpendant_Inquiry-CGS.pdf"}

{rsfiles path="20231213-All Staff Letter - IIA Undertakings_to cascade-O.pdf"}

Friday saw the funeral of Brian Wright take place at Torbay Crematorium, Devon, and later a celebration of his life at The Crown and Sceptre, St Marychurch, Torquay. The Regiment was extremely well represented, It was a huge challenge to get over 150 people into an 80-seater facility but using every square inch of standing room we accomplished it! I would like to thank Len Keeling for organising the minibus down from Gloucester, the four Standard Bearers: Scott McBryde, Roger Smith, Steven Tierney and the local British Legion representative. Also grateful to the six volunteer pallbearers on the day, Eddie Kenneford, Ben Casey, John Davies, Tony Jones, Allan Winchester and Dave Stone.
Chas Deacon the Celebrant held it all together nicely and the two Senior Rank musicians from The Rifles gave a great rendition of the Last Post, leaving hardly a dry eye in the building. The live service video link has been taken down for editing but will be published again shortly using the details issued previously. Feedback from the family during the day was outstanding and made all the hard work very worthwhile. I would like to thank Bob, Sadie and Clair for hosting the day's events including the most welcoming celebrations I have ever attended in a Pub. Last, but not least, a huge thank you to all the members of the Regiment who turned up and made the day such a great success, it was a great tribute to the “Glosters” family and its former members.
Should anyone have missed donating during the day, and would like to do so, the details are as follows: RGBW Association Somerset. Sort Code: 30 99 51 Acct No 00545601 and include “BW” in the description box, thank you.

Martin Talling
“by our deeds, we are known”

Korea 70 Horseguards, London July 2023. (Dad must be one of the last remaining Glorious Glosters). From Heather Measey

Forest of Dean branch Chrismas lunch. Today at the Orepool. Great turnout, good food. Old friends. Much Banter. Roll on next year when we can do it all again. Thanks to Gill Phelps, Jenny McBride and Judy for putting this together. Our guests for gracing us with their presence. Splash and Mandy, Keith Kinsey, Mel Dawes and Eddie Kenneford. Brigadier Martin Vine. Members of the Severnside Branch Association and Forest members.

Curtesy of Ken Durham

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.

The following has been received:

Good Morning Gentleman,
Following your latest communication , I was curious to know how many old and bold are still with us from 13 platoon D Coy, which was my platoon after being commissioned from Mons OCS in 1965. Paul Arengo Jones was the senior sub in D company, some other bloke commanded 15 platoon I think, and Bobby Martin was the OC. George Thomas was the CSM and the Bn was commanded by HENRY RADICE !!!! Adjt was David Godfrey and his asst was Tim Cooper. Jeremy Mermagen was sigs Officer and Mike Smith- Rewes was the mortar comd. Swaziland was the posting.

Cpl Panga Price will live with me for ever as will Cpl Nobby Clark !!!!!! and Len Keeling (Then pte Keeling) I know you won't forget me Len!! . How I wish memories did not fade.

Best wishes to all old Glosters

Peter McNaught

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”

The Somerset Branch of The Rifles & RGBW Association
Invitation to our Annual Imjin Commemorative Lunch
on Sunday 21 April 2024

It only seems a few months ago since our last Imjin Commemorative Lunch and now it is time again to organise another one!
We are planning to hold the event once again at the Taunton Rugby Football Club, Veritas Park, Hyde Lane, Bath pool, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8BU on Sunday 21 April 2024 at 1200hrs for 1245hrs.

The two-course carvery & dessert menu, including tea & coffee, is £15.00p per person, which is extremely excellent value, thanks to being generously discounted by the Association.
Online payment by bank transfer is the preferred payment option but cheques will also be
accepted, for full details and to submit the return please follow this link . 

Imjin Lunch Sunday 21 April 2024 – The Rifles & RGBW Regimental Association (rgbw-association.org.uk)

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.