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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
George Herbert Bleasby passed away peacefully on
20 July 2023 following a short illness and just a few months after celebrating his 100th birthday on 27 April 2023.
George was born in Hull on 27 April 1923, the son of a World War One veteran who had been wounded in Ypres. The first clue of George’s future gymnastic exploits became evident when the coal man would give him a few pence each time he turned cartwheels along the pathway. After leaving school aged 14, he worked as a Junior Clerk at the Hessle and Anlaby Drainage Authority, whilst also attending night school four nights each week to study shorthand, typing, maths, book-keeping and English. George had a passion for sports, especially cricket, and also loved cycling around the UK on his custom-made bike. Between the years of 1939 and 1942, George worked voluntarily with the Civil Defence Service as a messenger. In September 1942 aged 19 years he was called up to join the Army and posted to the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment stationed in Fort George, Scotland. After just a few weeks at Fort George, he successfully applied to be an Assistant Instructor in the Regimental Gymnasium and soon afterwards he was sent to attend a 3-week PT course in Edinburgh. Whilst stationed at Elgin, George met WO2 (CSMI) George Welch APTC who had been one of his colleagues when they were both corporals together. Ultimately, the two Georges became close friends and kept in touch through the years until sadly George Welch passed away.
In 1945 George was given the opportunity to go to the ASPT Aldershot to attend an Advanced PT Course. He recalled Captain (Leslie) Lambert being there and after successfully completing his transfer course, proudly receiving his Corps badge and stripes from Brigadier Wheeler on 23rd December 1945. George’s first Corps posting was to Ballymena in Northern Ireland, and then later Palace Barracks, Hollywood, with two large gymnasiums. Whilst there he was promoted to the rank of S/Sgt (SSI.) One member of the staff then was L/Cpl Eric Cleaver of the Royal Hampshire Regiment who later went on to serve with the APTC and attain the rank of Lt Col. George’s last posting was to Ballykinlar where the Physical Training Officer suggested that he should sign on for continued service in the regular army. The likelihood of further promotion and opportunities to see the world in peacetime was quite attractive, but the pull of family and home was too strong for George and
he made the decision to follow his heart and leave the Army.
On demobilisation, George went to New Battle Abbey in Dalkeith, Scotland to brush up on his accountancy skills. On his first evening in the Sergeants’ Mess, he had the good fortune to meet his future wife Mary and in 1949, two years after demobilisation, Mary and he were married. At the time of their marriage, Mary and George decided they would like to have four children. It transpired that the fourth birth was triplets (all girls). In the end, they were blessed with five daughters, Susan, Julie, triplets Pauline, Jenny and Hazel and one son Graham. After moving back to Hull from Bradford in 1955, George’s strong Christian faith led to his connection with Clowes Methodist Church. Sadly, Mary passed away in 1988 when she was 63 but George had found great support since then in his faith and from his close and loving family.
Aside from his sporting ability, George was a talented musician, self-taught and skilled in playing many instruments. He was famous for his George Formby impressions playing his ukulele. He also had a great love of reading and poetry and had written his own book of poems. He had always been actively involved with his local community, ringing the bells for several church services over the last 30 years whilst also regularly playing the organ for the Methodist Church. He had been a church steward and organised church district sports and day trips. He taught in Sunday School, started a music group and volunteered to drive a minibus taking ‘old people’ on day trips.
Following the end of his military service, George qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant and after a long and very successful career as Company Secretary and Director of a number of Company’s he eventually retired. In retirement he remained strong in mind, body and spirit and was still able to turn a cartwheel at 80 years of age. His party piece was to perform an immaculate one- and-a-half-minute routine of Indian Club Swinging.
Though George’s time in service with the Army and the Corps had been relatively short, that special affiliation and fellowship with the Association endured and never diminished over time. George’s connection with the RAPTC Association had been primarily from a distance due mainly to family ties, community commitments and, in more recent years, some mobility and sight issues. However, he always enjoyed receiving information on Corps events and matters as well as regular telephone calls and emails from the Branch Secretary
to keep in personal touch. George was determined to not only attend the 2023 North East Branch Annual Reunion Dinner but also to perform his Indian Club Swinging routine at the Dinner. On Saturday 25 March 2023 in front of 120 members, George was introduced as the Guest of Honour, accompanied by three of his lovely daughters, Pauline, Julie and Jenny. Try to picture everyone’s amazement when this incredible man, just 3 weeks’ shy of his 100th birthday, stood up and to a standing ovation, went through his one-and-a-half-minute performance with flawless precision, strength, timing and coordination. A memorable occasion that will remain forever with those who witnessed it. Later that evening, George was presented with a personally signed copy of the Corps History Book ‘Fit to Fight’ by Lt Col (SMAA) Jason Hughes RAPTC.
At his 100th Birthday party he proudly wore his Corps tie, tie pin, cufflinks and lapel badge. He was so thrilled to have received a card from the King and Queen as well as a personal handwritten letter from the Corps’ Colonel Commandant, Lt General James Bashall CB CBE, thanking him for his service and congratulating him on making a century.
Unfortunately, just a few months after two such memorable occasions, George was taken ill with pneumonia and pleurisy and spent a number of weeks in hospital. Later, after a short while in a Care Home, he was taken back into hospital with a recurrence of pneumonia and passed away peacefully on the evening of 20 July 2023. George will always be remembered with great fondness, love and affection by everyone whose heart he touched. He was one of life’s truly good people and brought so much love, joy and pleasure into so many lives. RIP George.
SSgt (SSI) George Bleasby circa 1944-47
BEYOND THE GYM
GEORGE HERBERT BLEASBY 1923-2023