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members of Burton Branch. He was for secretary for 18 years and president for five years.
When it started, the branch was small and had £3 in the funds. Thanks to Sam, the functions he arranged attracted more members and within a short space of time, the branch took off. Overall, he has been
a stalwart for the branch and Regimental Association for over 48 years, and even in his eighties, he continued to organise trips and arrange functions.
His legacy is the Annual Christmas fuddle, which he started and became an annual event in the calendar. In the words
of his branch, without Sam there would
not be a Burton Branch, and his award of the Staffordshire Regiment Association’s President’s Award was richly deserved. His funeral took place on 4th February at Bretby Crematorium, where a large contingent turned out.
John George James
We heard that John James died in February 2015, aged 90. He was born on 17th March 1924. During WW2, he served in 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment and took part in Op Husky in Sicily and
the Battle of Arnhem, which he escaped from by swimming the River Rein. He was also with the battalion when they liberated Norway.
After the war he became a bricklayer and had a large family. He was a keen gardener and his garden was so well known, that the local bus would always stop to allow the passengers to have a good look at it. He was also a keen salmon fisherman.
His funeral took place on Friday 27th February in St. Anne’s Church, Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen. Major John Caiger represented the regiment and Richmond Leason (Stafford Branch) paraded with the Association Airborne Standard. They were joined by former Stafford, Andrew Laing and John’s wife Mary. John James and most
of his family were Welsh speakers, so his funeral was in both languages. Our sincere condolences go to his widow Betty and
all their family. John’s son Anthony acted
as the family point of contact and after the funeral sent a donation to The Staffordshire Regiment Association. We would like
to record our deep appreciation for this unexpected donation, which John would have approved of.
Daniel Karim
We have heard from the internet that Daniel Karim had died. He was born
on 22nd July 1979, and served in The Dukes of Lancaster’s Regiment and later served with 3 MERCIAN in 2008. He was discharged on 31st May 2013. His funeral took place at Grenoside Crematorium, Sheffield on Thursday 4th June. Members of The Regimental Headquarters, The Regimental Support Team and The Staffordshire Regiment Association attended.
Alan John Lees BEM
Alan ‘Chippy’ Lees was born in Tamworth on 17th August 1933. After completing school, he was called up and completed his National Service basic training in Whittington Barracks, and was posted to 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment and did active service in the Malayan Emergency.
On leaving he was assigned to 6th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment as his two-year reserve, and from the outset joined the Corps of Drums under the direction of Drum Major Sandy Saunders. He quickly became the leading Tipper, and due to his instructing ability trained all the new recruits, and made a contribution to the high standards achieved. They won the TAVR Band & Drums competition for three consecutive years. He went onto to serve in 5/6th North Staffords, 1 MERCIAN (V) and 3 STAFFORDS, and was awarded the Long Service & TAVR Efficiency Medal.
In civilian life, Chippy was a 5th Dan Black Belt at Judo, and a locally and nationally known figure, running the Tamworth club and co-ordinating many events with the Derbyshire judo fraternity. He was an elected local Councillor for Tamworth, and he did much good work for the needy people he represented in his local ward. Chippy was a friendly, committed and popular person, who was always willing to help others and this service was recognised with the award of a BEM. There were many family members and friends at his funeral, which took place at Wiggington Road Cemetery.
Colour Sergeant Anthony
Alfred Longdon
Anthony Longdon died on 17th November 2014 aged 82. Alf was born on 25th September 1932. He enlisted into 1st Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment and served with them in Trieste, Korea,
Hong Kong and Minden. He continued to serve with the 1st Battalion, the Staffordshire Regiment and was with them throughout
the 1960s, including Kenya, Colchester/ Dover, Berlin, Osnabruck, and the first three Northern Ireland tours. He completed his service with the Quartermaster’s Department, and left the Army in October 1979.
In August 1989, he and his family suffered a personal tragedy when their step son, Mark Mason was killed. Mark joined the Staffords and served with the 1st Battalion in Fallingbostel, but volunteered to serve with the Royal Hampshire Regiment in Londonderry. He was tragically killed in
an accident in a sanger. He and his family behaved with great dignity at Mark’s funeral, and this was commented upon at the time.
After he left the Army, Tony was employed in Depot Lichfield as Officers’’ Mess Manager. He was fondly remembered as a warm, decent, hardworking, efficient and honest individual.
Sergeant Jim Mclean
Jim Mclean served in 1st Battalion, The Mercian Volunteers, which became 3rd
Battalion, The 3 Staffordshire Regiment. He was in C Company in Burton-upon-Trent. His funeral took place on 3rd March at Bretby Crematorium and there was a large regimental turn out. Lt Col Dougie Bridges represented the regiment, and there were two Branch Standards in attendance.
David Meigh
David Meigh died in June 2015, aged 77. He was born on 10th July 1937 and served in 1st Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment from 1955 – 7.
After he left the Army, he worked in the building trade as a roofer and lived in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent for 52 years. He married Enice May Hall in 1958 and they had five children, Margaret, David, Diane, John and Pam. They went onto have fifteen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Captain Donald Charles Powell Captain Donald Powell passed away on 21st October aged 97.
He was born on 18th March 1917. Don left school at the age of 14 to support his widowed mother. He joined the
Commonwealth Bank of Australia in May 1933, and served in increasingly senior roles upon his return from World War 2 until his retirement.
He served with 1st Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment in Burma during WW2. The battalion arrived at the end of the Arakan Campaign in 1943, as part of 26th Indian Division, and their main task was to cover the withdrawal. The battalion did well, acting as rear guard in the Ngakyedauk Pass, but in October was posted back to India, as only regular battalions could be trusted to keep the peace in the communal disturbances. He was one of two officers who served throughout the campaign without a break.
After the war, he was quick to settle back in to civilian life and moved to Cheam in Surrey. He was a prominent member
of the local operatic society, performing leading roles in all the Gilbert and Sullivan productions during the 1960’s and 70’s. He held voluntary treasurer roles with both the operatic society and the local church. He was also a keen sportsman, playing club level tennis and squash. Alongside this he travelled throughout the world extensively throughout his banking career.
He is survived by his three children, Richard Powell, Paula Summers and Pamela Martin. His first wife Rose Powell died in 1974. He re-married in 1980 and moved to Devon. His second wife Peggy died in 1998. In Devon, he continued
his voluntary service to the community, including church treasurer and delivering meals to elderly people at home. In 2003 he attended the Annual Association Reunion in Whittington Barracks, which he very much
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