Page 113 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

in the Derby area.
FAIRBRIDGE Alexander ‘Sandy’ Pte of Chevington, Northumberland died on 30 September 2011 aged 74. He served with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (TA) 1957-60, 575 Squadron Royal Engineers (V) at Mansfield 1969-79 and with 5 (Mansfield) Platoon F(Notts HSF) Coy 3WFR (V) between 1986-1992 until its disbandment.
FOWELL Alfred Alfred Fowell died in
Hyde Lea Bank Nursing Home, Stafford on Saturday 26th March 2011 aged 102. Alfred was born and grew up in Rugeley, but had retired to Hyde Lea on the edge of Stafford. According to the Express and Star he
was a Sergeant in The North Staffordshire Regiment and saw active service in Normandy and arrived at Belsen in 1945. His French wife Madeline died seventeen years ago, but he leaves two sons, five grandchildren, one step grandchild and seven great grandchildren. His funeral took place on Thursday 7th April at the Church of St. Lawrence in Coppenhall.
FROGGATT Samuel Henry ‘Sam’ Pte
of Ollerton, Nottinghamshire aged 87. He joined in February 1939 and after training was shipped to Cyprus where he was assigned to the 9th/10th Commandos in an attempt to gain Rhodes. He then returned to the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters and was deployed to Egypt and then to Tobruk. Sam was away from his unit to join a machine gun course in Palestine when
the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters were overtaken at Tobruk and so he transferred to the Yorkshire Dragoons (later converted to 9th Bn KOYLI) motorized infantry and was sent with the 1st Armoured Div to El Alamein, it was hear that Sam suffered great hearing loss in mortar attacks. He fought across North Africa and onto Salerno where he drove supplies from Bari to Salerno. He returned to UK for medical treatment and was then stationed at Hunstanton as a driver on the Sandringham Royal Estate. After demobilization Sam worked as a miner with the NCB for 34 years.
GEORGE Alfred Edward Ted George passed away on the 5th January aged 93. He was a member of Walsall & Bloxwich Branch of the Staffordshire Regimental Association. His funeral was held at Streetly Crematorium on the 21st January 2011.
GOULD, Richard (Dicky) Sgt Dicky (F Company HSF, 2 Mercian (V) 1982 – 1992) passed away on Sunday 17th October 2010 after a short illness bravely fought with dignity and courage. Dicky Gould was a regular Royal
Marine and a founder member of No 4 Coy HSF, later F Coy HSF 2 Mercian (V) and 4 WFR (V). The funeral was held on November
1st at the New Meeting House Kidderminster. The Kidderminster Standard was paraded and members from the Association attended.
Sadly Dickie lost his fight against cancer and died 13th March. He was one of the Walsall Branch characters and will be sadly missed. He served with LIMV and then 2 Mercian V and was a long standing member. His brother, Mac Powell is the Branch Standard bearer. There was a very large contingent of Branch members at his funeral in Darlaston Parish Church.
GRANT Robert Pte of Keyworth, Nottinghamshire died on 11 October 2010 aged 76. He served with the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters in the 1950s.
GRIFFITHS Idris George Pte of Kidderminster died on 22 September 2011 aged 73. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment in May 1956 and served in Germany, Jamaica, British Guiana as a Regimental Cook. He was discharged in April 1963.
HADFIELD John Capt
John died on 12 August 2010. He served with the Royal Marines during his National Service. Later he commanded the RM cadets in Burton at TS Modwena. He joined C Company, 1 Mercian V and commanded the Anti
Tank Platoon. His final TA appointment was with HQ 49 Bde as TAPIO. In his civilian capacity he was Managing Director of the Burton Daily Mail. Association Members attended his funeral at Egiwys Sant Lusty, Llaniestyn.
HALL Roy Harold LCpl
of Tibshelf, Derbyshire died on 28 September 2010 aged 93. He served with the 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters and was captured at the fall of Tobruk in June 1942. He became a POW in
Stalag IVB Muhlberg on the Elbe where he became a clerk. After repatriation
he returned to Derbyshire and took up employment with the Ericsson Telephone Company in Nottingham.
HALLAM Archie Sgt DCM of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire died on 2 April 2010 aged 90. He joined the 2nd/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters at Allestree Park in 1939 and went with it to France as part of the BEF. He was later evacuated through Dunkirk. Whilst at Galashiels he broke his thumb while playing football and spent several weeks in hospital. On discharge from hospital he was posted to the newly formed 14th Battalion Sherwood Foresters at Markeaton Park Derby. He went with
it to North Africa and was involved in the Battle of El Alamein later moving with the Eighth Army to Tunis. He then went to Anzio with the Battalion where he was wounded by shrapnel. On returning to
duty he remained with the 14th Battalion until it was disbanded at the Battle of San Savino where he won his DCM.. He was then posted to 6th Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment in Austria in December 1944 before being discharged in April 1946. He then returned to Eastwood and became an Engine Winder at Underwood Colliery until he retired at age 65. He was recommended for the MM but was given an immediate award of the DCM.
His citation reads:
“For outstanding bravery and initiative in
the fighting at San Savino on the night of 5/6 September 1944 and on 13 September 1944. During the night 5/6th September,
B Coy were ordered to attack San Savino. Early in the attack the Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant of Corporal Hallam’s platoon both became casualties. The fighting became very confused owing to
the presence of enemy tanks in the built
up area. Cpl Hallam, however, immediately assumed command of the platoon and quickly gained control of a situation which, without adequate leadership, would have prejudiced the outcome of the operation. He quickly reorganised the platoon and commanded it with skill and initiative throughout the heavy fighting which followed. Again in the dawn attack on San Savino on 13th September the Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant of Cpl Hallam’s platoon were wounded on the S.L. Cpl Hallam again assumed command and carried out the intricate and difficult task which had been allotted to his platoon. He assaulted and seized a key house in the village from which two enemy machine guns were firing. The seizure of this house did much to ensure the success of the whole operation. Cpl Hallam then led his men to attack and capture two further houses, taking many prisoners and making a firm base from which the rest of his company were able to complete its task with success. The outstanding initiative and determination of this NCO to hit the enemy on every possible occasion did much to ensure
the success of the Battalion attack. He displayed all the best qualities of a junior leader, and his power to inspire men and
to make quick decisions were an example to all.”
HAMER George Thomas George Hamer died in May 2011. He served initially in 5/6th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment and its successors, The Mercian Regiment Volunteers, 3rd Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment and The West Midland Regiment between 1964 – 99. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and was a member of Lichfield Branch of the Regimental Association
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