Light Infantry - Obituaries - 2001 to 2008

Richard Croll - 5th May 2007 - DLI & 1LI - The arrangements for Richard are as follows,
Funeral to take place at Crematorium, London road Cemetary on Tuesday 22nd May 2pm friends and former colleagues welcomed. - J. Croll.

Richard began his service in 1958 as a "boy soldier" his basic training was at St. Johns Moor Shrewsbury from whence he moved on to Kneller Hall for his band training and thence to !st battallion DLI Band. He served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and Cyprus eventually retiring in 1982 after 24 years of service. - Jim Croll

[,dickie] Dickey died at Shrewsbury hospital on 5/5/2007 he joined the DLI on 19/12/58, served with the band and bugles until they disbanded in 1968 then joined 1.L.. and served with them on various postings Colchester, Lemgo, Hong Kong Cyprus Tidworth Belize Ballykinla. Oman Saudi Arabia. then Shrewsbury Sir John Moore Barracks. Dickie left the army in1982 after serving 24 years, on discharge he spent time in his native north east and came to Shrewsbury to live. he worked for the MOD at Belle Vue and did security at Copthorne Barracks. Dickie was a widower and he is survived by his three children Lesley, Martin,and Paulette, he also has 5 grandsons and two granddaughters. Dickie was also the treasurer of the Shrewsbury Branch of the LI Association. Remembered by all members - Norman "Chuck" Smillie

He attended the SCLI & LI reunion at Taunton on April 28th and enjoyed it immensely. Mourned by THE SHREWSBURY BRANCH OF THE L.I.ASSOCIATION.

Stuart Martin BEM. - Sgt. in Light Infantry - On March 12th 2007 Stuart died peacefully at home, aged 58, of Ponsanooth Truro. Loving husband of Ursula much loved dad of Simon and Nicole Grandpa of Natalie and father-in-law to Ian. Also remembered by Chuck Carlyon and Darren Riley.

24522306 Pte Steven (Chalkie) White. - died on March 9th 2007 aged 46 - he served with 1LI for 13 years, sadly he lost his fight with cancer. I am sure anyone who served with him, will remember him fondly. He joined when he was 18, and served until he was 31. He did tours of South Georgia, The Falklands, 3 tours of Northern Ireland, as well as Germany. He was in Berlin when the wall came down. Steven had 2 children, who have both followed in their fathers footsteps. His daughter is a medic, and his son has just passed out in Feb 2007. and like his dad, has joined the infantry. He is now in the Cheshires, in Northern Ireland.

Frank Danby - died 14th February 2007 - L/Cpl Frank Danby was with SCLI & 1LI from 1968 until 1976 when he had to leave due to ill health, he was with A Coy then later with MT Plt - remembered by Fred Allen ex L/Cpl MT Plt.

Frank was born in Plymouth and on leaving school he worked at HM Naval Dockyard in Plymouth until he joined the SCLI , he served in Gravesend, Ballykinler, Lemgo, Colchester, Belize and Portdown, where he was taken ill, On return to Colchester LI were getting ready to go to Hong Kong which Frank was looking forward to but this never materialised as he had to go to the Royal Hospital Woolwich for operation on a brain tumour which was the 1st of many over the next 10 years or so. In July 2006 Frank was taken ill again and in January 2007 the family was told that he had cancer which was linked to asbestos.Frank died at 0350hrs on 14th February 2007 and the funeral was held on 21st February 2007. Frank leaves wife Mary, 4 children 9 grandchilren @ 1 greatgrand child. (I know that I and my wife have lost a very dear friend. Fred Allen)

Arthur "CHAD" Chadwick. - RSM at Sir John Moore Barracks. Served in Aden, Malaya, Berlin, Colchester, Ireland, Folkestone, Lemgo and Shrewsbury. Passed away 26th October 2005. Leaves loving wife Ann, daughter Karen and son in law Mervyn, grandchildren Matt and Leanne and also daughter Sandra and granddaughter Kathryn. So greatly missed. My dad Arthur, One in a million - daughter Karen Trout.

Reginald Fletcher. - died May 2005, aged 64yrs. ( neither date or rank given in Silver Bugle ) He enlisted into the KOYLI in April 1959. He completed his training at Strensall and was posted to 1 KOYLI in Hilden where he joined A Coy. He remained with A Coy for his entire 15yrs service retiring in 1970. During this time he served with 1 KOYLI in Malaya, Borneo, Tidworth, Aden and Berlin, then following vesting day with 2 LI in Northern Ireland and Lemgo.

John Clarke. died 2004, ( neither date or rank given in Silver Bugle ) aged 70yrs. He was called up for National Service and on completion of his two years he joined the regular army in 1953, enlisting into the DLI. He served with 1 DLI. until they were disbanded in 1968. He then served for three years with 1LI. until 1971 when he then moved to 3 RGJ. and served with this Bn until he retired from the army on completion of 22yrs service in 1975.

Anthony ( Tony ) Peter Machin. Cpl. - died 16th. December 2004, aged 56yrs. He enlisted into the LI. ( year not given in Silver Bugle ) and following training was posted to 3 LI in Plymouth in time for the first operational tour by the Bn. in Northern Ireland. This was to be the first of many Northern Ireland tours over the next 12yrs. When the Bn. was later stationed in Minden he was joined in A Coy by his brother Steve and together they served in A Coy. until the Bn moved to Colchester, by this time he had gained promotion to Cpl. and was posted to the MT where he remained until the end of his service.

Clive Charles Roberts CSgt. - died 9th.November 2004, aged 51yrs. Enlisted into the Light Infantry at Shrewsbury as a Junior Bandsman aged 15yrs. He trained as a Cornet Player before joining 1 LI Band at West Germany Lemgo. He served his complete tour of 22yrs in the Army with the LI Band, and after vesting day with the 1 LI. Band and later with the Light Division Band. He retired from the army in the rank of CSgt. Later he was a member of the 4th. Bn. Devon & Dorset (TA) Band.

Maj. James Bendall MBE. - died 29th. September 2004, aged 45yrs.He enlisted originally into the RGJ. in 1978. Having completed tours as a Pltn. Commander and Coy. 2i/c with 2 RGJ. he returned to RMA Sandhurst as a returning officer on RCC 31. On leaving Sandhurst in 1983 he transferred to the LI. joining 1 LI. in West Belfast as RSO. He subsequently served with distinction as 1 LI's Adjutant in Omagh and Berlin in 1987-89, followed by tours as a Coy. Commander with 2 RGJ from 1989-91 and with 1 LI. from 1994-95. He had attended the Army Staff College in 1991, and from 1991-93 served at the MOD. He left the army in 1995.

Maj. Nicholas ( Nick ) Richard Kench. - died 3 July 2004, aged 57yrs. He was one of the last Officers to be commissioned into the KSLI joining 1 KSLI in Malaya. He spent almost 20yrs in the LI. serving in Cyprus, Mauritius, Northern Ireland and Germany, finishing his service in England in 1987. ( There is no information in the Silver Bugle of the Bn.served in after KSLI but it believed to be 3 LI. )

Norman Probert. - died 19th. June 2004, aged 52yrs. He enlisted into the KSLI and joined 1 KSLI in Plymouth, from where they deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969. He later spent two years as a photographer at Shrewsbury and returned to 3 LI. Intelligence Section prior to his discharge in 1976.

Ronald William ( Joe ) Blower, - died 18th. June 2004, aged 62yrs. He enlisted into the KSLI. and served with 1 KSLI and later 3 LI over a period of 22yrs in Malaysia, British Honduras, Germany and the UK.

Darren Cox. LCpl. - died 7th. June 2004, aged 21yrs. His death resulted from a Road Traffic Accident which occurred as he was returning to his unit in Edinburgh after a long weekend.
Born in Cornwall, he was educated at Helston Secondary School where he joined the cadets before following his lifetime ambition to become a soldier. After passing his army entrance tests, his training started at the Army Foundation College in September 1998. After successfully completing a year at Harrogate he completed his military training at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick and was posted to 2 LI. in November 1999. He served in the Falkland Islands, Sierra Leone, Kosovo and Iraq. He successfully completed a JNCO Cadre in April 2002 and had just taken command of a rifle section with the rank of LCpl, in the weeks before his death.
Following his funeral service at Breague near Helston, he was buried with full military honours on the 18th. June. A man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Lt.Col Bryan M. Elliott MBE. - died 9th October 2003, aged 61yrs. Educated at Clifton College, he was commissioned in 1962 from RMA Sandhurst into 1SCLI, serving in Gibraltar and then Berlin. He then moved to the Regtl. Depot at Shrewsbury as a Training Pl. Commander. From Shrewsbury he then served in Malaya with 1KSLI before a full tour as an Instructor at the School of Infantry Small Arms Wing. In 1971 he returned to 1LI. in Lemgo and remained until 1974. The time in Lemgo was spent with annual tours in Northern Ireland interspersed with training in BAOR. During this period he was Operations Officer in 1971, OC. Command Coy. in 1972 where he commanded the reserve 'Wurzel Force', made up of senior NCOs and older soldiers, and OC Support Coy in 1973-74. In 1973 as an Acting Major he was given the role of Company Operations against the determined and experienced IRA terrorists operating on the Border and in South Armagh. His considerable success was recognised by the award of MBE. The Bn. having moved to Colchester in 1974, his last role was to establish a most professional Jungle Training Course in Belize for the Bn tour later that year. He attended Staff College in 1975, then spent almost two years as Brigade Major with 12 Mech Bde. in BAOR before returning to 1LI. at Tidworth. Following a further operational tour in West Belfast in 1978 he was Mentioned in Despatches. He then went to RMA Sandhurst as a Coy. Commander and Regtl. Representative. In 1982 he took Command of 1 LI. in Munster with the inevitable operational tour in West Belfast, this was at the time of further turmoil in the province with many shootings and explosions. For his determined leadership in command he was again Mentioned in Despatches. Having moved the Bn. to Weeton Camp near Blackpool, he relinquished his command of 1 LI. in January 1985. Shortly after leaving 1 LI., his wife Anne, who was well respected by all ranks of the Battalion, died in May of that year. Following such a personal loss and coming to the end of a long and distinguished Regimental career, he retired from the Army in 1987 and took up a career in the city.

This Officer was a great leader, I last saw him in 2002 or 2003 at the reunion in Taunton. My first CO as RSM, Gordon Walls was his RSM prior to me. - Major Stephen Taylor QM.

Lt.Col. David Lawrence Malcolm Grover - died 30th. September 2003, aged 69yrs. He was educated at Winchester College and enlisted into the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire LI. in June 1952. He was the commissioned into the KSLI. in February 1954 and served with the 1st. Bn. in Gottingen, West Germany. From there it was to Kenya where he was MMG Plt. Commander at the time of the counter-insurgency operations against the Mau Mau. He later served in Bahrain. In 1957-58 he was ADC to the GOC 50th. Div/Northumbrian District. From 1958-60 he served at the KSLI Depot Shrewsbury.

In late 1960 he returned to 1 KSLI who at this time were stationed in Munster, and then as a Coy Commander with 1 DLI in Berlin and Hong Kong. He graduated from Staff College in December 1966 and took up his first Staff appointment as GSO2 ( Training ) Cadets in HQ Northern Ireland. He returned to 1 KSLI in 1968 and trained with the Bn in the jungles of Malaysia as Support Coy Commander. He was later deployed in that year for a brief operational tour in Mauritius. He was then with 3 LI. when they returned to Plymouth from the Far East, this posting included a tour of duty in Northern Ireland. His second Staff appointment was GSO2 SD at HQ BAOR from 1970-72. He then returned to 3 LI. as 2 i/c for a tour of duty in Minden, which included battle group training in Suffield, Canada and another operational tour in Northern Ireland. In early 1974 he was posted as DAAG to the MOD ( AG2 ) and from early 1975 until March 1978 he was GS02 Training at HQ DInf. After a year at HQ Light Div. as GSO2 SD/Training he was promoted to Lt.Col. and assumed command of 5 LI (V). His last appointment was that of Chief Instructor at the Defence NBC Centre at Winterbourne Gunner. He retired from the army in 1985.

Maj. Colin Dudley Ryder - died 21st. May 2003, aged 72yrs. He was commissioned into the KOYLI on 9th. February 1951 and remained with the Bn. until 1959. He was Mortar Pltn. Commander in Berlin and Malaya. He was later posted to Malaya for special duties and remained there until 1962. Later he was again in Malaya, this time with KSLI. He was promoted Maj. in 1964 and posted to G3 HQ Land Forces Hong Kong for 2yrs. In the late 60's he became 2 i/c 1 KSLI and then 3 LI. In 1970 he was appointed GSO2 ( Training ) HQ NORDIST. This was followed by a tour at HQ NORIRELAND as DAQMG ( Plans ). His last posting was in 1975 to HQ Dhekelia as DAA & QMG, shortly after this he retired from the army.

Robert ( Bob ) Mosley. - died 4th. March 2003. ( neither age or rank given in Silver Bugle ) He enlisted into the KSLI in the late 60's and following training was posted to 1 KSLI. and then after vesting day with 3 LI. He did several overseas tours of duty including Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Mauritius, he served a total of 9yrs in the Regt.

Raymond Grainger WO2 - died 7th. February 2003, aged 56yrs. He enlisted into the KOYLI in 1966 and following training was posted to 1 KOYLI. after vesting day he moved to the newly formed LI Bn. and finnished his service at 22yrs in the rank of WO2 with 1 LI.

Sydney Hughes. - died 26th. December 2002, aged 60yrs.( no rank given in Silver Bugle ) He enlisted into the KSLI in the early 60's and following training was posted to 1 KSLI where he served initially in the Signals Pltn. the Bn. at this time was stationed in Munster. He remained with 1 KSLI and then after vesting day with 3 LI. serving in Plymouth, British Honduras, Singapore, Malaysia, Austalia and Mauritius. He retired from the army shortly after 3 LI. was posted to Plymouth for the 2nd. occasion.

Jason Mark Pears Cpl. - died 9th September 2002, aged 31yrs. His death resulted from an accident in Paderborn. He enlisted into the LI. in 1987 and following training was posted to 1LI. in Omagh. This was followed by postings to Berlin, Bulford, Belize, Colchester, Cyprus and Edinburgh, he also did operational tours in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone, and exercises in Germany, Jordan and Kenya. In April 2002 he moved to Paderborn. He was buried with full military honours at Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.

Jason Mark Pears, Cpl. - died 9th. September 2002, aged 31yrs. His death occurred in Paderborn, Germany as a result of an accident whilst serving with 1 LI. He enlisted into the LI. in 1987 and following training was posted to 1 LI. in Omagh. Postings to Berlin, Bulford, Belize, Colchester, Cyprus and Edinburgh followed, as did operational tours in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone, and exercises in Germany, Jordan and Kenya. In April 2002 he moved to Paderborn. He was buried with full military honours in Weston-Super-Mare on the 24th. September 2002.

Maj. Anthony Christopher Cameron Rose. - died 15th. June 2002, aged 45yrs. He enlisted into the LI. in December 1974 and was commissioned into 3 LI. in June 1975. He served as a Pltn. Commander in the Recruit Coy. at the LI Depot, Shrewsbury and went on to be ADC to Maj. Gen. Ward-Booth when the latter was GOC Wales and Western District. His continuing service with 3 LI. saw him as a Pltn. Commander on tours of duty in Northern Ireland and as Adjutant to ( then ) Lt. Col. Jack Deverell. He gained experience as an SO2 in the Directorate of Army Recruiting in the late 80's and graduated from Staff College in 1995. He served as a Coy. Commander in 2 LI. including further tours of duty in Northern Ireland.
He later took voluntary redundancy and retired from the army.

Michael Edgar Cadwallder - WO1. - Died 6th. May 2002, aged 64yrs. He enlisted into the KSLI as a Bandsman in 1955. He saw active service with the 1st. Bn. in Kenya and remained with 1 KSLI when it was stationed in Munster. Following rapid promotion to Band Sgt. he was posted to the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall as a student Bandmaster. He was then successively Bandmaster of 2 LI. and the LI. Depot, a period which included postings to Berlin and Lemgo in Germany and operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland. He retired from the army in 1977.

John ( Johnny ) Brewis - WO2. died 3rd May 2002, aged 64yrs. He enlisted initially into the DLI but did most of his soldiering with 1 KSLI and the 3 LI. He served in the Signal Pltn. when the Bn. was stationed in Btitish Honduras. During the Bn's. subsquent tours of duty in Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius he served in the Mortar Pltn. After retiring from regular soldiering the army still played a major part in his life as ASA at Old Dalby and Melton Mowbray Camps.

Maj. Michael J.B. Shircliff - died 8th April 2002 after a Herculean struggle against cancer. (age not given in Silver Bugle). He was commissioned into the Regt. on a University Cadetship in September 1982 and eventually joined 2LI. in May 1885 at Hemer. Regimental duty was to continue for the next 5 yrs after which he spent time in Mozambique and Zimbabwe on the BMATT. He returned to 2 LI. in 1990 who at that time were based at Tidworth. He later moved to the School of Infantry as an Instructor and then to a staff post with the 4th. Armoured Brigade. From there he went to Royal Military College of Science for a year and eventually to the Staff College, he then returned to 2 LI. as a Coy Commander.

Kevin Brown Sgt. - died 19th. March 2002, aged 37yrs. He died suddenly in the MRS at Alexander Barracks, Cyprus, whilst serving with 2LI.

Ben Benvin, Sgt. - died 3 March 2002. (age not given in Silver Bugle) Enlisted on 20th. May 1981, after training he was posted to 3LI. at Tidworth and then to Omagh in Northern Ireland. He was promoted to LCpl and led a team for the latter part of the tour. After Omagh in 1987, he was posted with 3LI. to Weeton Bks. in Lancashire where he attended and passed a JNCO's Cadre. In 1989 whilst still serving at Weeton he passed the Section Commanders Battle Course at Brecon and was promoted to Cpl. that same year. At the end of 1989 he was posted to 2LI. as a Section Commander for a tour of Crossmaglen, South Armagh. He remained with 2LI. until merger day in 1993 when he joined 1LI. becoming one of the few soldiers to have served in all three LI. Bns. He later passed the Platoon Commanders Battle Course after which he was promoted to Sgt. and yet again went to Northern Ireland with A Coy. as a Multiple Commander. in 1994 he was posted to ATR at Winchester as a Pl. Sgt. He returned to 2LI. in 1998 and was deployed once again to Northern Ireland, this time Belfast, as a Pl. Sgt. with C Coy. and later in the WO's and Sgt's Mess. His final post was as a recruiter at the Army Careers Information Office at Bristol.

Semiti Cakacakamainadi ( Caka ). - died 2nd. February 2002, aged 25yrs. His death resulted from a RTA. He was born in Fiji and enlisted into the LI. in June 2000, after completing his training at Winchester and Catterick, he was posted to 2 LI. who were stationed at Bulford and joined B Coy.In 2001 the Bn. deployed to Sierra Leone in West Africa, where he served in a 4 man team providing protection to British and Sierra Leonian soldiers who were conducting training in the country. At the end of the tour he was diagnosed as having caught Malaria. Having spent the weekend in the Medical Station he discharged himself saying he felt as though he had just got a bit of a cold. Caka was buried at his home village on Fiji. His funeral was attended by Capt. Rupert Lescott, who had finalised the funeral arrangements with the next of kin and represented the Bn. at the funeral.

Alan James ( "But But" ) Butler, WO2. - died 22nd. January 2002, aged 66yrs. He enlisted into the KSLI. as a National Serviceman in 1957 and following training was posted to 1 KSLI and became a Regular Soldier, he served successively in 1 KSLI. 3 LI. and the LI Depot. He travelled widely with the Regt. and saw service not only in the UK but also Munster, British Honduras, Singapore and Malaysia. He also did several operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland. He was a familiar and popular figure in the Regt.

John Robert ( Geordie ) O'Donnell, WO2. - died 15th. August 2001, aged 55yrs. He enlisted into the KSLI in the early 60's and following training was posted to 1KSLI. He started his Regt. career as C Coy. Clerk. He served with the Bn. in Plymouth, British Honduras, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Australia. During this period he was promoted on several occasions and as CQMS he served at the Infantry Jnr. Leaders Bn. at Shorncliffe from 1976-77. In 1978-79 he did an operational tour of duty with the UN in Cyprus. In the early 1980's he was posted to 5 LI (V) with E Coy. at Wellington and then C Coy. at Hereford. He then served for some five yrs. with 3 LI as CSM A Coy. and Assault Pioneer Plt. WO. He retired from the army in 1986.

P. Riddiough ( Riddy ). Cpl. - died 18th. February 2001, aged 52yrs, from cancer. He enlisted into the LI. and following training in 1970 he was posted to 2 LI. where he started his career in D Coy. After 3 yrs. he was posted to the Mortars where he became a ACPO. In 1980 the Bn. was stationed in Gibraltar and he joined the Regt. Police, he continued as a RP until he retired from the army in 1985 having attained the rank of Cpl.

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