David Porter died suddenly on Saturday 22nd August aged 63. He joined DERR, aged 15, in Sept 72 at Wyvern Bks in Exeter and retired in Spring 1996, having been RSM at ITC Brecon.

We have the following sad news:

I am very sad to inform you of the death of my beloved father Michael John William Chappell BEM (22812814), who passed away peacefully in hospital in France on 10 Aug 20, of natural causes at the age of 85. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chappell. Born to an Army family in Aldershot on 14 Sep 1934 he enlisted initially into the Royal Hampshires on 1 July 1952 and saw service with them in the BAOR and then Malaya between 1953 and 1955. He left the Army for a few weeks in 1955, but rejoined and remustered into the Glosters on 15 August 1955 seeing service in the UK, Cyprus, BAOR, Swaziland, Berlin and Northern Ireland. His last tour was as RSM of 1 Wessex. Mike held the GSM with Clasps Malaya and Cyprus and the CSM62 with Clasps Cyprus 63-64 and Northern Ireland. He was awarded the BEM (civil) in 2014 for Service to British Military History as an Illustrator and Author having illustrated and written over 100 books. This was his second career when he left the Army and he loved being able to combine his two great passions in life, the Army and illustrating.

He was immensely proud of his service in the Infantry and in the Glosters, particularly his last active service tours in NI in 69 and 70 and like all old soldiers loved to talk about his time as a soldier. I remember the regimental family fondly and the good times we had with tours like Berlin as young children. Bucking the Army trend I opted for a career in the RAF and am still serving on FTRS. My brother initially joined the TA (10 Para) then emigrated to the US where he became an SNCO in the US National Guard full time, retiring last year. We both caught the military bug from time spent hanging around Dad and the Army.

We will miss him greatly. Luckily he was in relatively good health until the last few months of his life and had enjoyed living in the sun in southern France for the past 16 years. He will be cremated in Carcassone on 14 Aug and we intend to scatter his ashes in France at a later date when my Brother and his family can get over from the US when CV19 has ended.

Kind regards

John

Wing Commander J Chappell MBE AE VR

Sadly we have to report that Jim Penny, who for several months has been bravely battling against Stage 4 Prostate cancer passed away in July 2020.Jim, who was living in Westbury, served with 1 DERR in the 1980's to 1990's serving in Aldergrove, Hong Kong to name just few postings. He was a well respected individual who will sadly be missed by his contemporaries. His funeral was held on Thursday 23 July at Semington Crematorium. Our condolences and sympathies to his family

Gerard Croft passed away on 30th April 2020 age 63 after an tragic accident at his place of work in January 2020.

Born on 26 June 1956 enlisted into the Army in 1975 joining 1 Glosters at Weeton Barrack, Blackpool and being a member of 3 Platoon A Company. He left the Army , we believe, in 1978.

He leaves a widow Susan, a daughter Charlotte and two sons.

Lt Col Ronald Ernest Coleman JP: Lesley Bradshaw has reported the passing of Lt Col Ron Coleman on 1st May aged 91, who served, we believe, with 2nd Bn Glosters in Jamaica but was far better known for his outstanding service to the Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force where he rose to become the Commandant and provide them with excellent leadership.

Ron Coleman was also a fantastic supporter of the Regimental museum at Customs House, being he Treasurer for more than 20 years.

Our condolences to his widow Eileen and their daughter Beverley.