In Memoriam 2021
The Gloucestershire Regiment
Belated we have learnt of the death of 22371696 Pte Elvin Foster on 27 October 2020.
Elvin served with 1 Glosters from 1950 to 1953. His funeral took place in Essex on 27 November 2020.
His nephew recounts the Elvin was on of the fe Glosters that evaded captivity after the Battle of the River Imjin in April 1951.
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We have just learnt of the passing of Major Robert Bewell, who died on 13 January 2021.
There will be a cremation service 8 February.
Details as yet have not be released but can be obtained from the undertakers, Shires of Letchworth (tel: 01462 486 618 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Percy Franklin a WW 2 veteran who served with The Gloucestershire Regiment and was a recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre Nationale de la Legion d'Honneur, passed away on 14 January 2021.
Our sympathies and condolences to the family.
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23896443 Coline (Nobby) Leonard, who served with B Company, 1 Glosters died on 15 January 2021. No further details are known as yet.
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LtCol RAF Jarman
Lt. Col. RAF (Bob) Jarman died 25th January 2021, Bob served in Korea as a Corporal and was commissioned in 1953. He left the Army as a Lt Col in 1982. Bob was a great supporter of the Regiment which carried on after his retirement with both the London and Stroud branches of the Regimental Association.
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Michael Slade, known by the nickname of Moffy and who served in the Corps of Drums of 1st Battalion The Glosters, passed away in January 2021. Regrettably no further details are available.
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19042656 Pte SA (SAM) MERCER MBE passed away on 31 January 2021 2021. Sebastian Andrew Mercer aka Sam was one of the last Gloster Korean veterans. He was a man of deep humility who made light of his own experiences but felt very strongly that the actions of all those who fought in that war must not be forgotten. The funeral will take place in late March and the family hope to have a zoom link. Apparently it was also Sam’s wish that his ashes are scattered in Gloucestershire so SOGM will organise that once the country is out of lockdown.
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24291430 JOHN (Mac) McCORMACK, served 1 Glosters B Coy and Mortars. It is with sadness that we read on social media the news that John has recently passed away. We tender our condolences to his family and friends. John served in NI and was badly wounded in an ambush in the Lower Falls.
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Mrs Irene Musto, has informed Keith Kinsey of the sad passing of her husband Les who died as a result of cancer on the 12th of February 2021. Les served some fifteen years with 1 Glosters during which time the ever popular Les made many friends and will be much missed. Our thoughts are with Irene and the family at this sad time
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24285764 C/Sgt.Michael (Tiny) Alvey Michael (Tiny) Alvey died as result of an accident at his workplace on the 1st March 2021.
He served 1 Glosters 1972-87. In civilian life Michael was employed as a bus driver. He lived at South Normanton, Derbyshire.
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Kenneth Reginald
Daniels Kenneth was a WW2 Veteran, a Recipient of the French Legion D'Honneur. He died on the 9th February aged 97. Kenneth did his basic training with The Glosters and was posted to the Devons where he served in Malta, North Africa, and Italy before returning to England to take part in the Normandy landings. He rejoined the Glosters for the last months of the war. He transferred to REME in 1948 but always considered himself a proud Gloster. Kenneth was discharged in the mid fifties and returned to Cheltenham where he grew up and his family were sadly killed in 1940 in the one air raid that Cheltenham suffered.
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Len Cox
D-Day Veteran Len Cox he died at the age of 97 on the 23rd February 2021. Len was a proud Gloster and a member of the Normandy Veterans Association. Although he was a London lad, he always held Gloucester in his heart from his days training at Reservoir Camp
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Robert Desmond Smith
Enlisted 1944, Served Gloucestershire Regt. 12 Years Died 9th March 2021
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2253055/495862 Maj Leslie A Ramsden MBE.
Former RSM served 1Glosters. Died 5th March 2021
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Derek Francis Chamberlain.
92 year old Derek Francis Chamberlain who was a proud member of the Gloucestershire Regiment. Derek died on the 23rd February 2021.
As a young boy he was blown up onto the roof of the arcade during the bombing of Reading on 10th February 1943 and although very badly injured at the time, he survived, and when he was called up for National Service and served proudly with the Glosters.
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L/Cpl Raymond Moore
a D Day veteran,died on the 10 February 2021. L/Cpl Raymond Moore is probably one of the last survivors of the 2nd Battalion who saw action during WW2. On the morning of D Day, June 6th, 1944, Bren Gunner Raymond Moore landed on Gold Beach with A Company 2nd Glosters.
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23033536 James(Jim) Seymour NS. 1955-57.
Served 1 Glosters. Died 22nd February 2021
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Donald Cedric Cooper Served 1 Glosters 1950-52 NS. Korea Died 21st January 2021
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Sgt. 23633402 Stanley (Stan) Stephens, Served 1 Glosters, RP HQ Coy. Died 19th March 2021
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Robert Desmond Smith, who enlisted in 1944 and served 12 years with the Gloucestershire Regiment died on 12 March 2021.
The Royal Berkshire Regiment
Charles Anthony Skidmore (Tony) passed away on the 8 December 2020 from Covid.
His Cremation Service was held on 8 January 2021.
Tony was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 11 November 1955 on a Short Service Regular Commission.
He was on parade at the Presentation of New Colours to The Royal Berkshire Regiment by Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor on 21 July 1956.
He subsequently served with the 1st Battalion in Cyprus on an operational tour during the EOKA campaign. He left the Army in December 1960.
The Wiltshire Regiment
On 8 February 2021Reginald Charles Collins passed away peacefully at Salisbury General Hospital. Reginald was a long standing service veteran and resident of Longbridge Deverill. During the Second World War he served in the 4th Wiltshire Regiment part of 129 Brigade in the 43rd Division. He was in constant action post D Day and as such played a significant part in the relief of France from the yoke of Nazi Germany. In recognition of his military engagement and steadfast involvement in the liberation of France , the President of France President Macron, by decree of 27th July 2020 , appointed Reginald in the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Legion d'Honeur.
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Mr Alan John Smith, died on the 20th February 2021. Alan Smith was 84 and Mrs Smith stated how much the receipt of his annual Birthday Card from the Wiltshire Regiment was appreciated by him and expressed her thanks for sending it, "to us" - she says 'it meant a great deal to him'
The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire & Wiltshire)
Alan Thackeray on 19 January, less than 24hours after being discharge from hospital.
No details are known with regards to services but in the meantime our condolences to his wife Lynn and their young daughter Poppy,
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Sgt Eric Martin
Eric joined Royal Berks shortly before amalgamation to DERR in 1959 and served until his retirement December 1976.
Eric has suffered from dementia for a number of years and was in a care home in Somerset where he passed away peacefully in his sleep on 22nd Feb 2021.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Iris, his 3 sons, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
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24266723 SGT. RODERICK WARDEN (AKN Joe 90) We have received news that Roderick sadly passed away in his sleep at home on the 8th March 2021 after a long fight with cancer
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