Page 90 - QDG Volume 9 No. 2 2021

88 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Obituaries
Simon Andrew Buxton Ward (aka SAB) joined the Regiment in Hohne in March 1973. He died from cancer on 20 April 2021 aged 68. Due to a change in the course structure at Sandhurst, three intakes passed out on the same day and he joined with four other officers, Messrs Dickie, Larminie, Macdonald and Macready. Simon was following in the footsteps of his father Ted Ward who had joined the KDGs during WWII, and who had the misfortune to be captured in 1942. He was with an Echelon convoy and in the fluid fighting conditions in the desert at the time, they unfortunately bumped into a German armoured car patrol during the night.
Simon was posted to B Squadron under John Pocock and the pupillage of Sgt Ken Hanning. 1973 was a busy year for the Regiment being its first year in Hohne on Chieftain. There was also Mark Phillips’ wedding in November that involved most of the Regiment, and preparation for the dismounted Op Banner tour in Londonderry the following year. Simon quickly became a highly competent Troop Leader and later B Sqn Squadron Gunnery Officer. He received
as SO3 G3 and looking after the Regi- mental interest in Wales, he returned to the Regiment and took over as D Squadron Leader in Wimbish in 1985. In 1986 he was extremely fortunate to be posted to the Australian Army as a Squadron Leader with 2 Cavalry Regiment (2 Cav) in Sydney. He, Margaret and the children made the most of their two years, helped by flights all over Australia courtesy of the RAAF at minimal cost. To quote Simon: “Two years in Australia passes quicker than a long weekend in Hohne.”
After a short stint in the MOD, in 1989 Simon returned to Regimental duty for the last time as 2IC in Wolfenbuttel. Throughout his time with the Regiment, Simon was a lynchpin of Regimental cricket and hockey, even managing once to represent the Army at hockey in Gibraltar at short notice vice Tim Holmes. When in Australia he played hockey and cricket for 2 Cav
Lieutenant Colonel SAB Ward
a Commander-in-Chief’s Commendation following the Londonderry Tour. After a spell as ADC to General Sir Jack Harman, who was DSACEUR, he returned to B Squadron as 2IC in 1978.
In 1973 times were different in Germany
and it was before the advent of BFBS
television. For the officers, apart from the
occasional foray to Hamburg, an exciting
night out in Hohne was to go to the
Thursday Disco in the Station Officers’ Mess
or take some Bendicks chocolates across
the sports field to the SKC Cinema and
occupy a box in the almost empty cinema.
Simon was the architect behind a diversification from the regular after dinner poker to playing Scrabble for a Pfennig a point. Maybe he thought he had a competi- tive advantage because before going to Sandhurst he had attended a course at the Army School of Educa- tion at Beaconsfield. Whilst there he developed a lifelong passion for the Telegraph crossword.
Simon was clearly showing symptoms of an advanced case of bachelor Hohne-itis when one Sunday afternoon he was caught sipping a Carly whilst watching the BFBS television test card. His first Squadron Leader, John Pocock had returned to command the Regiment and in 1978 dispatched Simon to Bovington on the Long Armour and Infantry Course, telling him, “Never mind about the course, just find a wife because you are becoming insuf- ferable in the Mess!” Simon duly met Captain Margaret Pollock-Gore, who was serving in Bovington and they were married on Cavalry Memorial weekend 1979.
Simon returned to RHQ in Hohne, initially as Assistant Adjutant before becoming Adjutant when the Regiment was in Omagh. After a posting to HQ Wales in Brecon
who were the Army State Champions for cricket. Simon’s career had something of an old-fashioned hue to it, enjoyable jobs in interesting places. As well as Australia, he had two very agreeable years in Cyprus at HQBF Cyprus, and six years in Munsterlager and Dresden as BLOGAS (British Liaison Officer German Armour School). Here he and Margaret made many good German military and civilian friends. Simon was able to improve his golf handicap whilst Margaret continued her career teaching English as a foreign language. His final job was as SO1 DS at the Royal College of Defence Studies, where he delighted in chivvying up the high- flyers from the three Services when they were late or badly organised. He retired from the Army in 2007 and took up the appointment of Co-ordinator Army Bands as a Full Time Reserve Service Officer. In 2016 ill health forced an early retirement after 46 years of service. He was awarded an Adjutant General’s Commendation for
exceptional and loyal service.
His Christian faith had always been a central plank
to Simon’s life. His father had taken Holy Orders after WWII and been Chaplain to HM The Queen. He had also been inspired by his Grandfather who was awarded the MC whilst serving on the Somme as a Chaplain with the Australian Army. He and Margaret settled in Winterbourne Gunner where he took on the mantle of Churchwarden and enjoyed leading services when the vicar was away. Their faith sustained him and his family through the ill health of his later years, which he faced with great courage and stoicism.
Simon was a straightforward and loyal member of the Regiment, liked and respected by all ranks. He had a great sense of humour, and a sharp and perceptive wit. He will be much missed. He was devoted to his family, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Margaret, his children Andrew and Catherine, and his three grandchildren.
ORCL
Two years
in Australia passes quicker than a long weekend in Hohne