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many Regimental events over the past
few years. He was a well known figure
and attended many funerals of Staffords and other servicemen. His funeral took place on Wednesday 4th September at
St. Mark’s Church, Great Wyrley and at Bushbury Crematorium. The service was packed with dozens of his contemporaries attending, supported by members of the Regimental Association who knew him from his numerous attendances at Regimental events. Our condolences go to his wife Alison and their daughters Amy and Abigail.
Colonel Kenneth Mark Stuckey OBE
Colonel Kenneth Stuckey OBE who died in hospital on Saturday 17th August 2013, aged 92. Kenneth, who was known as Dick, had a distinguished military career. He served in the
Chindit Campaign in WW2 with the West African Frontier Force. There is gap in our knowledge after WW2, but it is known that he served with the 5th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment in Walsall in 1950. This was followed by a posting to 63 Gurkha Infantry Brigade in Serenban, during the difficult days of the Malayan Emergency, from 1950 – 53. In 1957
he was Adjutant of 1st Battalion, The
South Staffordshire Regiment during the EOKA Campaign. He then served with
3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in Aldershot between 1958 – 60, followed by
a staff appointment in HQ 1 BR CORPS. He was Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment in 1961 – 4; initially in Colchester, later they deployed to Kenya. He was awarded the OBE for his leadership during the Ugandan Mutiny. His last two appointments were with 48 Division in Shrewsbury from 1964 – 67 and HQ BAOR 67 – 70. After he left the Army he became Chairman of his local branch of the Royal British Legion and attended many of our Regimental events. He was also involved with other organisations and did much charitable work. His funeral took place on Thursday 12th September at St. Mary’s Church, Adderbury in Oxfordshire. Brigadier Tanner led the Stafford contingent at the funeral and reported that Dick seemed to be held in a degree of awe in the village. Our
sincere condolences go to his son Richard and daughter Elizabeth and their family.
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.
Corporal Tony Villiers
Cpl Tony Villiers died on 17th May 2013. He joined the 1st Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment in 1959 and served with the newly formed 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment until 1964. He
was a member of Stafford Branch of the Staffordshire Regiment Association.
Major Arthur William John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson was born in Cholmondeley in Cheshire on 13th
January 1921 and was bought up by his grandparents. At school, he was asked
by the head teacher to help mend cars
and boilers rather than always attending
the lessons; he didn’t mind this, in fact he found it preferable. At the age of 16 he joined The South Staffordshire Regiment and joined the 2nd Battalion (still known
as the 80th of Foot over fifty years after
the Cardwell Reforms), in the North West Frontier and specifically to the Khyber Pass. At the outbreak of the 2nd World War the 2nd South Staffords were brought back to UK and in January 1942 began conversion to a Gliderborne Battalion, as part of 1st Airborne Division. He took part in Op Husky aged 20, as Platoon Corporal and led his men to the target bridge, Ponte Grande, that they had to take and then defend. The Battalion landed in Arnhem in September 1944 and John was involved in fierce
house to house fighting. After over a week of fierce fighting he was badly injured by shrapnel and 5 days later was captured and made a Prisoner of War. Whilst recovering in Bedford he met and fell in love with his wife Gladys. He rejoined the regiment and was soon promoted to Sergeant, and then Regimental Sergeant Major. His postings covered, Northern Ireland, Germany
twice, Egypt, Cyprus (EOKA Campaign), Lichfield, Bulford and finally Macclesfield. He finished his time in the Army as a Major, having served in the South Staffords, The
Worcestershire Regiment and The Cheshire Regiment. Family life was a massively important part of his life and he was always the most supportive father and loving husband. Trevor Evans led the Staffords contingent at his funeral, which took place in Macclesfield Crematorium on 19th June 2013.
People connected to the Regiment
Mrs Lily Mary Kelly
Mrs Lily Kelly passed away on 23rd July 2012 aged 89. Her husband was Captain James Kelly of The North Staffordshire Regiment. She was with the North Staffords during their periods in Trieste, Hong Kong (when the Battalion was in Korea) and Minden. When James was posted to Aden she worked for the NAAFI and complained afterwards that her husband was awarded the GSM but she was not. She is buried
in Barton Stacey churchyard with her husband. Her son John was a Major in The Staffordshire Regiment, who also served with the Mercian Volunteers.
Frances Pugh
Frances Pugh died on 9th May 2013. She was the daughter of the late Harold Pugh who served with 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment and who fought
at Arnhem. Harold was later Chairman of Wolverhampton Branch of The Staffordshire Regiment Association. When Harold died, she proudly took on the role of Association Standard Bearer, something her father had done for many years.
Mrs Pat Vitali
Pat Vitali died peacefully at home on
the night of 13/14th February 2013. She was the wife of Major Chris Vitali of The Staffordshire Regiment. As a young married couple they had the fortune to be posted to Kenya, but this dream posting was not quite what it should have been as Chris was sent to the Middle East on a long unaccompanied tour. She was with the Battalion in Osnabruck when the Battalion deployed to Belfast and after they returned to Colchester and deployed to Belize. After Chris left the Army they settled in Plymouth and travelled long distances to attend Regimental events and funerals.
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