Page 172 - RSDG Year of 2023

170 EAGLE AND CARBINE
his men all well, rounding off that ‘he doubted if he would
see us again as we would all be dead by tomorrow!’
John took great delight in exploring Europe, being entitled to a first-class ticket anywhere within 50 miles of the German border. During a hugely enjoyable stay in Tuscany John sent a postcard to his squadron leader asking for an extra week’s leave, signing off “I presume this is granted if I don’t hear to the contrary”. He omitted to add his address on said postcard, took the extra week, and upon return was awarded two months extra orderly officer duties and a lesson in armed forces etiquette. Along with a great deal of popularity with his fellow subalterns, who were all relieved at these duties.
John always treasured his happy Regimental days. He took up his place at Oxford to read medieval history – a training in cerebral dexterity and clear, creative out-of- the-box thinking which enabled him to thrive in a career in the nascent world of public relations.
He managed creative accounts with an incredible array of clients, first at F J Lyons, then at Charles Barker Lyons,
where, as International Director, he was obliged to deal with the integration of legislation after the United Kingdom had joined the European Economic Community.
When he set up his own company, he decided to make it his business to allocate time and effort towards various charities and extramural activities: Kulika, FitzRoy Support, St Mary’s School Ascot, the Old-Gregorian Society Trust, to name but a few. He was elected a Fellow and then an Honorary Fellow of Oriel College, in recognition of his considerable support.
John and Anne created a loving, welcoming home at Sherlocks in Sussex for themselves and their four children. John took great delight in revisiting the mess some 50 years later in Fallingbostel, noting joyfully the familiar air, along with many pictures and silver. John was vibrant, good company and courteous to all, a loyal friend, who loved high-quality debate and good humour. He was a wonderful father.
MAJOR JOHN RICHARD ILIFFE BOWER (RICHARD)
Richard Bower was born on Guy Fawkes Day 1937 to Lieutenant Colonel Norman Iliffe Bower OBE and his wife Elizabeth. He was educated at The Nautical College, Pangbourne and on leaving school he did his National Service in the army before entering Ypres Company at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the 3rd
Carabiniers in December 1958.
He was an accomplished sportsman and became a polo player of some repute. Richard was also the fencing instructor for the Junior Leaders regiment Royal Armoured Corps and he played hockey for the Army. He was a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court competing in the semi-finals of Junior Wimbledon at a young age and later playing for the Army.
His subsequent miliary postings took him abroad and he served in BAOR for three years during which time he visited most European countries and it was here that he found that his ability to speak, read and write French fluently was a great asset. Richard then spent two years in Cyprus where he was in charge of equitation and hunted the island’s drag hounds.
He spent six months in Libya and Kuwait, before being posted to the UAE for the next five years again as O/C Equitation while Second in Command of the Armoured Brigade of the Abu Dhabi Defence Force. During this time he visited the majority of the Gulf States. His colloquial Arabic served him well, and this plus his fluency in French and natural communication skills enabled him to get on well throughout the Gulf.
Richard could always be relied upon to organise memorable parties and sporting events wherever he was posted. He was extremely popular with all ranks throughout his army career.
After 15 years in the Army he decided to concentrate on his passion for woodlands and founded Winterborne Zelston Fencing, specialising in cleft fencing. He was a passionate advocate for the rest of his life for the causes he believed in, to promote the conservation and management of English woodlands for the sustainable future and that of the dependent woodland crafts. The quality he believed in was recognised when winning the best stand at the Royal Show, the Bath and West Show and when contributing to exhibition gardens at Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows.
He was honoured with a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales, for fencing and gates, and became President of the Highgrove Royal Warrant
Major Simon Albert