Page 123 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

Mechanic on the vehicle and proved his knowledge and expertise in this area on numerous occasions ensuring his and the Troops vehicles were mechanically sound and always on the road. During his time with C Squadron he was part of a Squadron exchange programme with the Australian Army where he exercised in the area of the Gold Coast on the eastern side of Australia and saw the Squadron use the Australian M113 Armoured Vehicles and their vari- ants during the exercise they were involved in. On return to Germany the Regiment then Unit Moved to Bovington as the RAC Training Regiment before return- ing in 1983 to Germany and in particular, Detmold. The Regiment were now back on the Chieftain Main Battle Tank and an exercise to the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada fol- lowed before he departed the Army. Dave was a quiet and often reserved man but was a good team player and enjoyed many a social occasion, a well respected member of the Regiment who became an Association member on leaving the service in 1988.
he moved to Bovington with the Regiment and in 1986 he decided to leave the army and returned to Peterlee where he had numerous jobs until he set himself up as a removals man. In his spare time he loved both sea and fly fishing. It is testament to his popularity how many of his former friends and colleagues travelled to attend his funeral service. He leaves behind his wife Linda, 2 sons and their families.
Sir Charles Jessel
Served: 1944-46 Died: 3 Apr 22.
We were informed By Sir Charles son George who also served in 15/19H that his father had died aged 97. He was the last surviving officer who served during WW2 to die from the Regiment. Having left the clois-
tered life of Baliol College, Oxford where he was studying philosophy politics and economics, Charles found himself after call up, in Lincoln amidst the unedifying life of a raw recruit where he found the ‘square bashing’ and monotonous profani- ties muttered by his fellows very tiresome and this coupled by his public school accent made life very uncomfortable. After a few months he left to join The Royal Armoured Corps at Bovington where sleep proved impossible during the night patrols, gas alerts and fire drills. Eventually, Charles as an intake from Oxford University was able to go before an Officer Selection panel and join the 15/19th The King’s Royal Hussars, a regiment he had chosen at Eton. He was narrowly beaten into second place for top marks in his troop and had to watch a fellow Etonian take the Belt of Honour and found himself stationed in October 1944 on the River Maas in Holland. His first command was a motely crew of soldiers from different squadrons know as ‘Jessel Force’ and their job was to fire Bren guns on enemy patrols. He then, with the 11th Armoured Division was in command of a Comet tank equipped with an efficient 77mm gun. It was here that he lost his tank commander to a German bazooka and attempted to rescue the rest of the crew from the flaming wreck, only to find the two troopers hiding under- neath. There ensued a long battle in the forests near Winsen with many tanks com- ing under German 8mm self-propelled guns. He was mentioned in Despatches in 1944. After the war, and various forays into Antiques, stock broking, politics and jour- nalism in London, Charles made the deci- sion to buy a farm in East Kent of which he made a great success. He was a very keen gardener and was involved in many chari- ties including as President at one time of “The Kent Men of Trees”. Charles is sur- vived by his 2 sons, a daughter and grandchildren.
GEJ
We were informed by Maj John Browne- Swinburn that Gordon had sadly died aged 84. He completed his National Service with the Regiment from 1956-57 and joined The Northumberland Hussars. He served as a Troop Leader in “C” Sqn (Ashington) from 1958-63 and then as Sqn 2IC from 1964-65, RSO in HQ Sqn in 1966 before taking up a Brigade appointment as a Major. Outside of the military he worked with Major Verly Bewicke in Northumberland during the time that he trained 1958 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kerstin and was a share- holder in Newcastle racecourse before it was taken over by Sir Stanley Clarke. He was a steward at Newcastle and Carlisle for more than 25 years. He leaves his wife Rosie, son James, daughter Claire and two grandchildren.
Mr P W Clarkson
Served: 1976-86 Died: 14 Mar 22.
Paul or as he was known in the Regiment Clarky lost his battle with cancer aged 63 years of age. Clarky was born in Horden and after leaving school joined the National Coal Board to train as a miner but this was not for him. He then decided to join the army and after completing his basic training at Catterick joined the Regiment at Beleek in Northern Ireland. When the Regiment moved from NI to Paderborn, Germany Clarky served mainly in B Sqn. It was whilst in B Sqn that he was selected to complete a Gunnery Instructors course at Lulworth as a Lance Corporal. In 1983 he went on Exercise LONG LOOK to Australia with C Sqn. In 1984 his brother Glen joined the Regiment. In October 1984
PJ
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Mr D James
Served: 1972-75 Died: 18 Mar 22.
Mr W Harwood
Served: 1960-82 Died: 27 Mar 22.
decided to join the Army and completed his basic training at Barnard Castle and joined the Regiment there. He saw service in Northern Ireland, Germany, Canada, USA and Denmark and held various appointments including Provost Sgt. Whilst in the Regiment he played a num- ber of sports. After completing 22 years service and attaining the rank of SSgt he left the Army and settled in Washington.
David joined the Regiment in 1972 and his arrival immediately caused some confusion. Being my identical twin the lads were talking to him think- ing it was me and were confused with his blank response,
Maj R G F Armstrong
Served: 1956-57 Died: 16 Feb 22.
MT
even our A Sqn SSM (Mr Walls) would call us “Frank” and “Jessie” after the American outlaws. David took great pride as a driver and was always on top of maintenance of his Chieftain tank. He was very well liked by all around him and was a great asset to A Squadron and the Regiment.
We were informed that Bill had passed away 87 years of age. After leaving school Bill went down the pit working for the NCB. A talented sportsman he played football for Birtley Town and also boxed. At the age of 26 he
121