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 1st battalion from 1958-1964.
There will be a Private family only Service at Cinderford crematorium
No further details
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”
Yesterday, Wednesday 3 January 2024 Alan Trench died , having been suffering from dementia. The funeral is to be a family only event but it is Tina Trench’s wish the regimental family be informed. Serving most of his service with 1 DERR, prior to retiring he reached the rank of WO1 and was the WO 1 of the Royal Army Chaplain Department where they trained the newly appointed chaplains at Netheravon House, in what used to be the Officers Mess of Support Weapons Wing Netheravon.
The first image shows C/Sgt A. Trench of A Coy 1 DERR on the occasion of myriad of visits senior officers made to XMG during the Battalion’s South Armagh tour. The second images shows Alan as the WO2 at the IITW at Sennelager, this time greeting General Farndale.
'To Be a Farmer's Boy'
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
The family have arranged for a webcast to be made available at the time of the funeral and for the seven days afterwards, for those regimental friends of Richard who will not be able to travel to Salisbury.
The web address you need to use is https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view
The Web Cast Login PIN to view Richard Funeral is 129 2838
The family very much hope those of you who are unable to attend are able to take advantage of the webcast.
For logistical reasons the venue of the wake has had to be changed. It will now take place at The Stones, High Post, Salisbury, SP4 6AT
We have received the following notification from the niece of Dennis Lock, who served with 1 DERR, that he recently died before Christmas after a short illness.
Dennis Lock served with 1 DERR from 1963 to 1971 being stationed in Malta, Cyprus, Minden and Catterick.
His niece has been sorting his belongings, and found his regimental beret and cap badge, his Army Certificate of Service and a letter with the association details.
The family know he attended a few reunions in the past and they would like to inform Association members of his passing. Whilst they have some names of his ex-colleagues, they don't hold any contact details. As of yet the family do not have a date for the funeral but would like to reach out to his old regiment.
"To be a Farmer's Boy"
The Ministry of Defence and Office for Veterans’ Affairs are jointly delivering this commitment as part of ongoing improvements to veterans support.
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 5th 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.
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.
“by our deeds, we are known”
In the early morning of 8 December William Richard Dunscombe died peacefully at home. Known throughout his military career as Richard, Rich or Tich, he enlisted into the Wiltshire Regiment serving with them in the 1956 -1958 tour in Cyprus during the Eoka Campaign. On returning to UK amalgamation with the Royal Berkshire Regiment saw him becoming a member of the Signal Platoon of 1 DERR. Later during the Minden tour of BAOR 1965-1969 he was a Platoon Sergeant in A Company. From 1 DERR he then went on to be a Signal Training Sergeant at the IJLB in Owestry. Returning to 1 DERR in Berlin in 1972 Richard became the Officers Mess Colour Sergeant. After completing his full army career he became the civilian Officers Mess Manager of the Bulford Garrison Officers Mess. Richard was a highly respected SNCO in the Regiment, known for his sense of humour, impeccable standards and great management skills. Outside of the military environs he loved following cricket of any standard.
We extend our condolence to his family.
Details of his funeral will be published as soon as they are known.
| At 23:38 hours on 8th December Mick Kerr died having been admitted to RUH Bath Hospital. Mick had been suffering for some time and is now free from his pain and suffering. Mick Kerr joined 1 DERR and after an initial stint in a mechanised platoon, successfully passed a Regimental Signal Cadre and from that point on became a member of the Signal Platoon. Even his ERE posting saw him posted to 1 Wessex as the Signal Platoon PSI. He was a colourful character who was very proficient at his trade setting high standards in signalling and who was prepared to fight his corner. He was well respected within the Signal Platoon and many a young signaller benefitted from working alongside Mick. After leaving the Army, Mick cruelly lost his wife Margaret which undoubtedly made life more difficult for him. At least now he is free from his pain and at rest with her. Mick Kerr’s funeral is at 11:45 hours on 5th January 2014 at The West Wiltshire Crematorium, Devizes Road, Semington, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6HL. Afterwards the wake will be held at The Liberal Club, 26 Banks Street, Melksham, SN12 6LG. Please inform |
For those who cannot attend in person the funeral service of Brian Wright will be live streamed;
Webcast order summary
Webcast details for the service of Brian Wright at 10:30 (GMT) on Friday 8th December, at Torbay Crematorium Chapel, run by Torbay & District Funeral Service are as below.
Link:
https://watch.obitus.com/rgKCsM
Username: zaro2122
Password: 643919
Webcast | Obitus
WATCH.OBITUS.COM
Webcast | Obitus
Obitus webcast
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.
We are pleased to announce that we are now an accredited Charity!
We are presently waiting for
HMRC to approve this formally so that we can then push forward on reclaiming Gift Aid. This entitles us to use the Gift Aid scheme.
Gift Aid is a scheme run by the government that enables charities to increase the value of donations made by reclaiming basic rate tax that has been paid on the gift. At the moment, we can claim 25p per £1 donated, so on a gift of £100, we will actually receive an extra £25, at no cost to the donor which we can use to help towards the final balance.
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.
Due to a previous booking of the Long Room, it has become necessary to move the location of the Association's AGM. This is to confirm that the 12th AGM will still be held on Saturday 21st October commencing at 10:30 hours. The location will now be the Walls Social Club, Hammond Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3HG.
For those using SATNAV use GL4 3YL
Would Branches please disseminate to those members who do not have access to email.
For a variety of reasons it has become necessary to change the date and location of the 2023 Association AGM. Branches and members are asked to note that the date of the AGM will now be Saturday 21st of October 2023 and the venue will be the Long Room of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire's Museum, Customs House, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2HE. Thank you Len Keeling for you prompt action in orchestrating the new arrangements.
The meeting will commence at 10:15, Coffee and Tea will be available for members on arrival. after the AGM there will be a curry lunch. So that the museum staff are able to deal with the influx of visitors, in addition to their usual paying visitors to the museum, and so we have the correct numbers for the catering it would be appreciated if those attending could log on to the hyperlink and complete the attendance proforma:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FAgHo32H3Pa0LOdqzm1PmBUgwKWaf4qTMQGQmFel4fo/edit?usp=sharing
Yesterday saw the funeral of Les Allen take place at Romsey Abbey, Hampshire and later a celebration of his life at Totten. The regiment was well represented with the last commanding officer giving a regimental tribute, both County Chairman's with four standard bearers in attendance and a total of eight standards on parade. The Korean military attaché, Lt Col Yang was also present with his family. It was also nice to see many other non Gloster veterans on parade. There is a video link attached for the service and a photo taken at the wake after a well earned beer.
Feedback from the family was outstanding and made all the hard work very worthwhile, the association really does live up to "by our deeds we are known"
The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
The Wardrobe, Salisbury