Page 77 - QDG Year of 2020

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 75
John, universally known as “Mouse”, died on 21st October 2020 aged 91. He was a true regimental officer, at his best when the going got tough and an intrepid sailor. These attributes came to the fore in the Fastnet Race of 1979 when he skip- pered his yacht, Polar Bear, with a crew including his wife, Biddy, John Coleman, John Hick and Robin Roberts. Attempting to go to the aid of a stricken yacht in atro- cious conditions they had to abandon ship themselves, and were rescued from their lifecraft by a Dutch destroyer acting as a race guard ship. It was a miraculous escape.
John was commissioned into the King’s Dragoon Guards in 1949 as was his father in WWI. He served with the Regiment in Omagh, Hamburg, Neuminster and Malaya. He quickly established himself as an all-round sportsman representing the Regiment at Athletics, Cross Country, Rugby, Skiing and Rifle and Small Bore (.22) shooting. He was a fine sailor on all ranges of boats from 50 square metre to dinghy. In 1954
Australian Armoured Corps School before returning to command C Squadron in Omagh and Aden during those difficult and exciting days in the last months of British rule in Aden. His citation for his MBE awarded in 1977 reflected back, “he showed not only the highest degree of personal courage, and always put the safety of others before himself, but also his cool calm, cheerful and completely unflappable manner when in a tight position always went a long way to restoring the situation.”
John spent the rest of his Army career from 1969-83 at ERE and seven postings. He was 2i/c Castlemartin Ranges which
gave him much pleasure and scope for shooting and sailing. His two years at the gunnery school allowed him “time off” to compete in the Fastnet Race and, in the following year, in a restored Polar Bear with virtually the same crew, the Royal Ocean Racing Club British Island Race in which they came a creditable 5th on handicap out of 12. This race took place on a four yearly cycle
John and Tony Aylmer, with two others, took it upon themselves to form the first Army team to compete in the Inter-Services’ Championships on the cresta at St Moritz, finishing a close second to the RAF at their first attempt.
he takes very considerable trouble to help over
is too much trouble for him
on a course of 2000 miles round the islands of Great Britain and Ireland to be sailed non-stop. Not as perilous as the Fastnet Race nevertheless they had to compete against winds gusting force 8 and towering waves.
He also commanded HQ Squadron, 3 Divisional Headquarters and Signal Regiment for 3 years and during this period he was awarded the MBE. Part of his citation notes “his exemplary service” and reads: “he takes very considerable trouble to help over his soldiers’ personal problems and has proved time and again that nothing is too much trouble for him. A great deal of the credit for the speed with which Divisional Headquarters has been able to administra- tively “take to the field” so soon after its arrival in Germany had been due to Major Moreton’s determination and drive”.
Mouse had endearing idiosyncrasies. He had an effective, highly individualistic style of working. Whilst he, at times, could be single- minded he was also caring and considerate for others. He never seemed happier than
On the amalgamation with The Queen’s
Bays there were some enforced cuts in both
Regiments. John was one of the first KDG
officers to be made redundant and he trans-
ferred to the 9th Lancers only to return to the
new regiment, Queen’s Dragoon Guards, in
the following year – a gap made possible
on the retirement of John Griffin. After a
spell as Training Officer he took command
of C Squadron. During this period he made
a massive contribution to sailing and small
bore shooting. Whether sailing on Stein-
hudemeer in his diminutive Prout or on the
Baltic in a 30 or 50 square he was always encouraging, training and imparting his skills
to many members of the Regiment. Similarly
he coached and captained the Regimental
small bore team, becoming BAOR Cham-
pions in 1963. He and John Pocock were the undoubted mainstays, both finishing in the top three places at the BAOR and Army Individual Championships. He and John were also selected for the RAC team competing at the Army Full Bore Championships at Bisley.
From 1964 – 65 John carried out a tour at the Royal
RWW
MAJOR JA MORETON, MBE
his soldiers’ personal problems and has proved time and again that nothing
operating and sailing under the most adverse condi- tions. He was utterly loyal. He and Biddy were regular attendees at Regimental Functions.
To Biddy, Mattie, Charlotte and Patrick we extend our deepest sympathy.