Page 181 - RSDG Year of 2023

At the age of 21 John met Yvonne, when they were both serving in the military in Dorset. They were married in Edinburgh in September 1976. Married for 46 years, they moved many times following John’s career before they finally settled in Wiltshire. They had one daughter, Jennifer, an English teacher who married Sam, and three grandchildren, all of whom were born in Bath, including Joshua who was born during the Covid pandemic. John was an inspiring father who was so proud when
ROBERT JAMES LEWIS
Robert, known as Bob, was born in Birkenhead on 29 March 1945 to Catherine and Philip who owned a laundrette. He was educated at Woodlands Primary school and Prenton Boys School.
After school he had a variety of jobs including at Moorhouses pop factory and Crellins removals, and he also
became a bus driver. He joined the 3rd Carabiniers in 1967 and served with them then the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards until 1979, leaving the Army as a Corporal. His postings included Germany Cyprus and Canada.
He met and married Ann and they had their children; Barbara, Bobby who was born in Cyprus and Vicky and James who were born in Germany. He ran a tight ship as a father and things were a bit regimented with jobs to do and star charts to complete.
After he and Ann separated, he and Liz became a couple, had their own children, Catherine and Philip, and jointly ran a taxi company. On one occasion one of the drivers
ROBERT JOHN BLAIR
John was born in Aberdeen in 1947. He joined The Royal Scots Greys in 1965 at the age of 18. Whilst serving in Fallingbostel in 1969 he met Kay Welsh, daughter of Corporal Paddy Welsh also of The Royal Scots Greys. They married in 1970 and started married life with a tour to Cyprus. They then moved to Edinburgh where their son Sean was born. Rab, as he
was known to many, then transferred to 16/5 Lancers and moved to Northern Ireland where their daughter Donna was born. After this they moved to Germany where their son Gordon was born.
Jennifer graduated from University, when they went to Buckingham Palace for a Garden Party for her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and when he accompanied her down the aisle on her wedding day.
John died on 21 April 2023.
Jennifer Cole – daughter
who worked for Bob gave a lift to a couple from New Zealand. It turned out one of the passengers was one of Bob’s sisters who had emigrated on the £10 scheme years before. Bob and his sister were reunited which allowed Bob to get in contact with his brothers.
He and Liz married in 2009 having been together for about twenty years. On their first wedding anniversary Bob went to Germany with his Army friends who were his second family, a group with whom he and Liz met up every month. It gave Bob great pride to take part in the Remembrance Day Parade in Chester each year and to carry the Standard into the Cathedral.
When Liz and Bob moved home some twenty years ago they found that their home was part of a bigger house owned by a shipping magnate. About ten years ago Bob was hospitalised for a few months and, while he made a good recovery, the decision was made to sell the taxi company and Bob and Liz then worked for the shipping company.Bob had a love of country music and music from the 1960s and was a big supporter of Liverpool FC.
Bob died on 21 October 2023.
Rab went on numerous tours including going to Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Belize and went to Medicine Hat in Canada twice. He left the Army in 1988 as a Corporal.
He was proud to have served in The Royal Scots Greys and had many connections with it. The latest of the Blairs to join the Regiment is his grandson, Corporal Kieran Blair, who is still serving and followed a long line of family including Rab’s father-in-law Corporal Paddy Welsh, his uncle Corporal Charlie Walker, his brother-in-law Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Welsh, his son Staff Sergeant Sean Blair and his nephew Darren Welsh.
Rab was married to Kay for 53 years and died on 2 February 2023 leaving her, their three children and nine
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