Page 275 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

DAWES – Michael R BEM, WO1 (RSM) Dickie Dawes died on 16th November 2016, aged 68. No ordinary soldier – one day a bloody minded rogue, the next a devil may care hero – he had a dry, disrespectful sense of humour and a short fuse, never suffering fools. His stamina, loyalty and bravery marked him out as a natural leader, who emerged during the early years of Northern Ireland.
Dickie was born on 1 May 1948 into a family with formidable ghting credentials. In World War 1, two great uncles (both killed) and his paternal grandfather, served in the Royal Navy, whilst his maternal grandfather was an ‘Old Contemptible’ in the DEVONS. In World War 2, his father ew in RAF bombers. Leaving school in 1965, Dickie went to the recruiting of ce, seeking ‘to drive tanks and reach RSM’. The Recruiting Sergeant reassured him that the Gloucestershire Regiment “had lots of tanks and excellent promotion”. Postings to Chester, Swaziland and Berlin followed, as well as marriage to Mel, who became a steadying in uence throughout his life. Dickie loved eld soldiering, but disliked garrison duties and authority; he decided to leave in 1970. However, after nding civilian life no better, and after 18 months, he re-enlisted in time to deploy to West Belfast.
On 30 January 1972, ‘Bloody Sunday’ triggered an explosion of province wide violence. The next day, Private Dawes’ ri e company was dealing with a huge riot when it came under re. In the confusion, he was separated and pursued by a crowd, with bullets striking around him. He saved himself by slipping underneath an abandoned milk oat, and before being snatched to safety by a Pig armoured vehicle, he engaged the gunmen,. For his courage and quick reaction, Private Dawes was awarded a Mention in Dispatches. Promotion followed and back in Belfast in 1973, and again in 1974, he led ri e sections with distinction.
In 1977 he returned to NI, for an 18 month tour. Now a Sergeant he commanded a four man patrol
in the Battalion’s Close Observation Platoon (COP). Displaying a natural aptitude, he notched up a series of successes, deploying right under the noses of his targets, and gaining priceless insight into the Provi- sional IRA. Days, sometimes weeks, were spent in cramped, dangerous, unhealthy locations. Never compromised, he took pride in always nding a suitable position, once hiding under an upturned boat and drilling a hole through which to observe and take photographs. On another occasion, the weather was so severe that relief and resupply became impossible. When his patrol was nally extracted, with its priceless trove of intelligence, all had sustained cold injuries, less Sergeant Dawes, who was unscathed, and desperate for a cigarette!
At this time another brush with authority led to a court martial reducing him to the ranks. Excep- tionally, he was allowed to retain command of his patrol, due to operational imperatives. By the end of the tour, his Sergeant’ stripes were back, he had been awarded the BEM and was now in demand well beyond 1 GLOSTERS. Postings to the Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Team and the Northern Ireland Patrol Group followed. Then in 1990, he was the natural choice as WO2 controller of the GLOSTERS COP, for a further two year tour in Northern Ireland. His reward was promotion to WO1, achieving the ambition he had stated in the recruiting of ce all those years before.
After a few more years extended service, he was dined out by the Glosters Sergeant’s mess, where he stated “without Mel I wouldn’t be your guest tonight – I’d be one of those guys serving your wine”. After a spell driving trucks, he moved to Bristol in 2005, where he bought a vintage car and became a wedding chauffeur. He enjoyed this hugely, driving brides until the end of 2015. He was then diagnosed with cancer. He died, eleven months later at home, surrounded by his family. Mel, and their three children, survive him.
FORD – Derek Noel Allin, Captain died on 16th January 2017 aged 93 vears old. Dick Ford began his service with the Army, and Light Infantry, at Colchester in September 1942. By October 1944 he was serving as a Platoon Commander in Holland and subsequently Germany with 7th Battalion, The Somerset Light Infantry. In September 1945 he was posted to 1 SOM LI, Shargarh, India. A further posting to Headquarters 29 Brigade, at Deolali, took place in January 1946. His initial appointment, in the rank of Lieutenant, was on the staff as a Brigade Liaison Of cer. Within six months he was promoted to Captain and became the Brigade Intelligence Of cer. He remained with the Brigade, assuming one further appointment, until his demobilisation in May 1947. Subsequently his career was largely spent in Food Marketing; recreation included music and golf. Dick was a strong supporter of the Regiment and its Association. His wife, Shelagh, pre-deceased him in 2014. Our condolences go to their son, Nicholas.
NO ORDINARY SOLDIER – ONE DAY
A BLOODY MINDED ROGUE, THE NEXT A DEVIL MAY CARE HERO
EVANS – Mr Francis Peter died on the 26th March 2017 aged 82. Called up for National Service into the SOM LI in 1952 he served with 1 SOM LI in Malaya as a mortar man. On leaving the Army in 1954 he returned home to Ledbury, where he rst took employment with British Rail before becoming a long distance lorry driver, a job he maintained until retirement. A member of the Taunton Branch, our condolences go to his Pamela and family.
DICK WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE REGIMENT AND ITS ASSOCIATION
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 273