Page 174 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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Harry retired from the APTC in 1978, and took up various posts with the British Consul in Germany; and even in the House of Commons Gymnasium where he tried to lick various MPs into shape – Ah well, you can’t win everything!!
Harry was a very likeable man and extremely popular with colleagues, and highly valued by the Corps, He made it his business to keep in touch with his colleagues, often in company with his lifelong friend Ted Dixon. Up until very recently he would attend Branch reunions of the Corps twice a year in Scarboro’ and Scotland. Seven years ago, he was invited to their HQ at Aldershot as a VIP for the Passing Out Parade of their newest recruits which was a very proud accolade for Harry and his family!
Harry achieved such a lot in his life. There are very few men who could lay claim to the titles of Mr. Wales, Mr. Italy or Mr. Europe in Bodybuilding which he enjoyed from an early age, but where he had exceptional success was in his senior years, picking up the ‘Over-70s Mr. Europe’ award in 2004. I once read about his dedicated diet of 8-10 egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast,
bananas, chicken, fish and broccoli – plus time in the gym – it’s those values again of Discipline and Dedication. He had no time for drugs, nor illegal supplements, and he taught these values in many youth clubs where he volunteered to help to keep kids on the ‘straight and narrow.’ Adding further values of Integrity, Commitment and Courage.
Harry was a spiritual man with meaningful core values. He committed his later years to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the son of God.
FRANK CHARLES BRUIN
Frank Charles Bruin date of birth 5/11/1922 died 07/12/2020 aged 98.
Born 13 Oct 1952 in Somerset. died surrounded by family in Aldershot on 25 Aug 2020 after a battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Jim was married to Sue on the 6 Aug 1977 and they were blessed with two sons Adam and Elliott. As a young boy Jim was a fresh- faced choir boy, who would have thought back then he would be the ferocious competitor and Olympian that he would later become.
Jim enlisted as a Royal Engineer, but it was clear early on in his career that he had a passion for fitness and with his athletic prowess he was naturally drawn to the Army Physical Training Corps. Jim transferred into the Corps in 1979. Due to his Olympic commitments Jim was actually part of 3 different Probs Courses; with all 3 claiming him as their own. A testament to his good humour and character. Jim had a very distinguished career, he commissioned in 1993 where he achieved the rank of Major before retiring. Jim had achieved much during his military career but undoubtedly one of his highlights was organising the APTC millennium celebrations whilst he was the Chief Instructor at the ASPT, his endeavours saw a rightful awarding of an MBE.
As Army Athletics secretary Jim continued in a field for which he was suited, he continued to help mentor and inspire new generations of Army Athletes, successfully overseeing the development of the Army teams to win many Inter-Service titles. Jim was passionate about developing athletes of all abilities and organised many overseas running tours, including the Alpine Runner tours to the Alps which supported in not only the start, but also the development of a number of Army Athletes, not to forget the many fond memories made along the way.
Jim was an exceptionally fit man, perhaps the fittest some of us will ever have the privilege to know. His palmaris is filled with national titles across a multitude of sports, ranging from running to cycling and triathlon, even winning the coveted Superstars Competition against other Olympians. Jim was more than an endurance athlete; he could effortlessly turn his hand to many sports and was an active member of the APTC football team. Jim was best known for his attendance at 2 Winter Olympic Games, 1980 and 1984, in the gruelling sport of Biathlon where he achieved an incredible 14th place finish, unheard of for a British athlete, notably few have managed to match this achievement since.
Jim will be remembered as a man who had a real passion for life, who was never happier than when pushing himself to his physical limits, living life to the full, usually ripping the legs off his fellow competitors. Jim was a real true role model and mentor to athletes and RAPTCI’s throughout his career and beyond. The word legend is powerful, and sometimes overused in recent years. However, this word, feels inadequate to describe a man as exceptional as Jim. A measure of a man is the legacy they leave behind and Jim leaves behind a huge legacy that lives on in all those he has mentored over the years.
Jim will be remembered by his family as a loving husband and proud father of Adam and Elliott. For the rest of us lucky to have known Jim, he had several quotes, positive words or words of encouragement. One thing he said will remain with me, and truly showed his humility and that was; “The applause soon dies away, the pride is left behind, but the character you build, that is yours forever!” Jim was certainly a character; he was and always shall be a legend of our Corps and the athletics world, and, that is his forever.
JAMES WOOD MBE BEM