Page 111 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

Obituaries
Brigadier G B Smalley OBE.TD
died on 20 December 2017 aged 71.Bev joined in D Company Mercian Volunteers in the mid 1960s Bev was then
an officer cadet and
it was a standing joke in the battalion that he was the longest
serving OCdt, because his commissioning boards coincided with hockey fixtures, which always took precedence He was commissioned into Mercian Volunteers
in 1970. As OC of the A/Tank Platoon he went to Gibraltar with Support Company
1 MERCIAN V and served with the 1st Battalion as Company 2/ic and OC in 1979. He moved to be OC B Company at Lincoln with the Royal Anglian Regiment. In the mid 1980s he moved to Yorkshire and joined the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Volunteers as
2 i/c and later the Commanding Officer in 1988. He was promoted Colonel in 1992 and Brigadier in 1997. In 1994 he was appointed ADC, TA to the Queen and
was later appointed Hon Col to the East and West Riding Regiment Hon Col 3rd Battalion The Prince of Wales Regiment. TA. He was a very active Hockey player and represented the Territorial Army on many occasions. In civilian life he worked for the NatWest and Coutts Banks.
WO2 Barry Bailey
‘Bomber’ served with the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercian Volunteers. He was a member of the Walsall branch of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association unfortunately,
due to ill health he was unable to attend meetings in latter years Members of the Association attended the Funeral at Streetly Crematorium on Monday 21st November. The Branch Standard was carried by Mr Mac Powell.
Colonel Peter Gooderson. TD,JP,DL Served with
B Company, I Mercian
V as 2IC and Company Commander to
B Company at Kidderminster before transferring to the 3rd Bn
Royal Regiment of Wales as a Company Commander and later Battalion 2IC. He was then promoted Lt Colonel to command the Wales District Training Team. His final appointment was as Colonel, Deputy Commander Wales District. He was then the Regimental Secretary The Royal Welsh Regiment in Cardiff until his retirement.
Major Alister Rule
died recently after a short battle with Cancer. He was Adj of 1 MERCIAN V in the late 1980’s. Colonel Bryan Watters [ also an Adj with 1 MERCIAN V] represented the Mercian Volunteers at the funeral.
Mr N Windridge
has died aged 63, He was a member of B Company 1 MERCIAN V.
Mrs Rose Annis
died in January 2016. She had been ill for a number of years. She was the widow
of WO2 Jack Annis who was CSM of
B Company 1 MERCIAN V.I Mercian in the 1970’s
Mrs Alwyn Atkins
had fought a brave battle against cancer over the last ten years but sadly has lost the battle. and died peacefully at St Giles Hospice, Goscote, Walsall. She has been a great supporter of the Walsall Branch and the Companies with which her husband served. She will be sorely missed by everyone.
Major Ken Noakes TD
died on Wednesday
8th March. Ken was
a National Service Soldier with the South Staffordshire Regiment and then joined the 5/6th Battalion TA. On re organisation of the TA
he joined Mercian Volunteers. In 1971 he helped form the Light Infantry and Mercian Volunteers at Whittemere Street Walsall, where was CSM. Ken was commissioned as Lt QMV with the 2nd Battalion Mercian Volunteers. On the disbandment of Mercian Volunteers Ken transferred to the 4th battalion WFR at Hazlucks Green and later at Redditch as Major QMV. A dedicated member of the territorial Army and later the Association he was, throughout his career an inspiration to all who served with him. He will be sorely missed. The mourners were led by Air Marshall. Sir Stuart Peach [Chief of the defence staff] his nephew.
WO2 Reg Bradley
died on the 6th April 2017. Reg had been a long serving TA soldier joining the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment at Dudley in the late 1950s. He joined B Company 1st Battalion
Mercian Volunteers at Kidderminster on the re organisation of the Territorial Army in 1967 where he became one of the leading members of the Mortar Platoon for many years. There was a large contingent of
Association members at his funeral Gornal Wood Crematorium on 4th May 2017
Mr Michael Layland
died on 19th April 2017. He had a distinguish career in the life of the City of Worcester was
a Councillor, Mayor
of Worcester on two occasions, Freeman, High Sheriff, and he served
in the Worcestershire Regiment. He was
a great friend of our Association and we presented him with a Mercian Shield in the Mayor’s parlour.
Mark Woodward
Although not a member of B Company he was responsible for organising the street Closures and traffic control for our march. Sadly he died before the parade took place, but his colleagues ensured that our march took place. Their time was freely given. We would like to thank them for their kindness. Graham Bird and Brian Turvey attended his funeral.
Lt Col Edward Robert VINES TD
of Ross on Wye died on 24 May 2017 aged 82. Edward was called up for National Service in September 1953, was commissioned in May 1954 and served in 1st
Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in Bulford and Iserlohn. In September 1955
he joined 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment until it was disbanded in 1967. He formed and commanded the Worcestershire Regiment Cadre which became ‘A’ Company Mercian and LI Volunteers. In 1975 he transferred to 2 MERCIAN on its formation which he commanded 1976-
8. During his tour of command HM The Queen presented Colours to the Battalion in Birmingham. He was an exceptionally diligent CO despite the distance between his farm near Ross and his Battalion
HQ in Shirley and he showed the same dedication to the many Regimental duties he undertook. He was a member of the Worcestershire Regiments Association Committee for many years and became area Chairman for the Worcestershire and Sherwood Forester Regiment Association on its formation. The Association was well represented at the funeral by members of the Association.
Mrs Wendy Smart
The Daughter of Lt [QM] Tony & Joy Smith; Mrs Wendy Smart died on 28th March 2017, The funeral took place at Stourbridge Crematorium on 7th April 2017. Members of the Kidderminster Branch attended,
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