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number of Regimental members attended, including North Staffords, Staffords who served with him and Staffords who worked with him after he retired. There were
also representatives from the Parachute Regiment. Jim died with his boots on and by coincidence it was the day that the 1st & 3rd Battalion’s Colours were laid up in Lichfield Cathedral.
Colour Sergeant John Forrester
Colour Sergeant
John Forrester died unexpectedly at work on Wednesday 5th June, aged 55. John enlisted into 1 STAFFORDS in August 1974 and served until October 1993. He
was the second of four brothers to join
the Regiment and his service included the Belfast tour, and the tour of Londonderry 1979 – 81 where he served with
A Company. Many of his contemporaries went onto become members of the WOs
& Sgts Mess, so this generation went on
to serve together in Gibraltar, Colchester, South Armagh, Fallingbostel and the Gulf War. Whilst in Londonderry, he met Maggie, who was attached to the RMP Company that we worked alongside. After the tour they married and Maggie became a much liked member of our Regimental family.
He moved onto the Mortar Platoon and served for many years with them and also served with the Mercian Volunteers. John joined 3 STAFFORDS and served with
them for nine years and ended his career
as Sergeant Major. He worked for fifteen years at Beeswift in Oldbury as Warehouse Manager, regaling everyone with his war stories and exploits on the golf course. His funeral took place on Friday 21st June, at the United Reform Church in Falling’s Park Wolverhampton. The church was full and the congregation included a very strong contingent of both Staffords and Mercian Volunteers.
Pte John Thomas Harris
Pte John Harris served with 1st Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment in Cyprus during the EOKA Campaign. He was a member of Walsall & Bloxwich Branch of The Staffordshire Regiment Association and died in January 2013.
WO2 Wilfred James Jones
Wilfred Jones died on 20th September 2012. He was born on 9th February 1928. He enlisted into 6th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment in June 1948 and was with them until he transferred to 1st Battalion. He served for nine years in Trieste, Hong Kong, Korea and Germany. He returned to the Territorials and continued to serve with 6th North Staffords and
its successor, the Mercian Regiment Volunteers until 1972, by which time he
was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and had risen to WO2. He
was a member of The Warrant Officers and Sergeants Past & Present Dinner Club.
WO2 George Kirkland
George Kirkland died 24 December
2012 aged 74. George was born on 7th June 1938 and was from Wolverhampton. He enlisted into The South Staffordshire Regiment and served with them in the EOKA Campaign in Cyprus and his family believe that he was involved in the transfer of Archbishop Makarios to the Seychelles. He then served with 1 STAFFORDS throughout the 1960s, including the Kenyan tours, Colchester, Berlin and Dover. He worked his way up the ranks and established a reputation as a hard working and reliable SNCO and he eventually became a WO2. He finally left the Army in 1978. Later he remarried and moved with his new wife Christina to Airdrie where he spent fifteen years on the Long Service List, mainly as a recruiter based at Hamilton, making thirty eight years in uniform in
all. Even then he continued to help, as
he became a SSAFA Case worker and continued in this capacity for many more years. There was no doubt that he was
a highly respected and much loved family man and one of his SSAFA colleagues spoke very highly of him. His funeral took place at Flowerhill Parish Church, Airdrie on 11th January 2013. Our condolences go to his wife Christina and all the family.
Major Austin McTaff
Major Austin McTaff died on the 4th
July 2013, aged 84. He is believed to
have served in The Manchester Regiment as a National Service Officer and was in Germany in 1945 on Op Woodpecker.
In the early 1950s he joined the 5th/6th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment. He remained with his Battalion until 1967 and commanded B Company in Rugeley. His funeral took place at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium on Monday 22nd July.
Corporal Dennis Parsons
Dennis Parsons died on 5th December 2012 aged 77. He served as a National Servicemen with 1st Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment in Egypt and Cyprus during the EOKA Campaign. Afterwards he served with 5th South Staffords in D Coy and rose to the rank of Corporal. He grafted as a coal miner and later joined Hednesford Branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association. His funeral took place in Stafford Crematorium on 14th December 2012.
Anthony Pearson
Tony Pearson died peacefully at home on Saturday 17th August 2013, aged
75. He was born on 22nd January 1938 and served with 1st Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment between 1956 – 9 in Cyprus, during the EOKA Campaign and in Germany. He was a stalwart member of Wolverhampton Branch of the Regimental Association, having served as Secretary
for many years and he became President
in 2012. He was a devoted family man and cared for both Dot his wife and her mother for many years. His funeral took place at
St. Giles Church, Willenhall and the church was packed with Regimental Association friends. It was a moving occasion, because he made so many friends and his death was a shock to them all and he will certainly be deeply missed.
Corporal F Pillinger
Corporal Pillinger who served in the Signals Platoon of 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, died on 18th July. 2013. His funeral took place at Bushbury Crematorium.
SMI David Roberts
Dave Roberts passed away on 30th September 2012 aged 44. He joined Staffordshire Army Cadet Force in 1988 and devoted twenty four years of service training our youth before his untimely death. He was an SSI in 1991 and had become RSMI in 2005. He was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal in 2000 and earned his second clasp in 2012. He was also awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate in 2010. Needless
to say, his death was a severe shock to the cadet world and our sincere condolences go to his family.
Don Skelding
Don Skelding passed away on 5th September 2013 aged 80. He served
with 1st Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment from 1951 – 53 in Trieste. He
was a founder member of the Stourbridge Branch in 1978 and was a regular member until it closed in 2012. His funeral took place at St. Mary’s Church Kingswinford on 23rd September 2013.
James Thomas Smith
Jim Smith died on 11th May 2013.
He served with 1st Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment in the EOKA campaign. Later he joined Lichfield Branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association. He became Branch Bugler and was put to the test, as he was called upon to play the Last Post on many occasions.
Andrew John Stokes
Andrew Stokes tragically died at home on 16th August 2013. Andy was born on 6th May 1972 and was brought up in Walsall. According to his mother, he always wanted to be a soldier. So it was no surprise
to his family when he enlisted on 27th September 1988 and joined 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment in Fallingbostel. He deployed with the Battalion to the Gulf War and was injured in the training and was sent back to UK. He rejoined the Battalion and completed his service. After he left
the Army Andy joined Walsall & Bloxwich Branch of the Staffordshire Regimental Association and became Secretary and was also Branch Standard Bearer. In both capacities he was very active and attended
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