Page 130 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

Mr G Whinfield
Served: 1975-81 Died 11 Oct 21
Capt P W Kennedy
Served: 1961-87 Died: 5 Nov 21
to Karen, father to Paul, Darren and Victoria, grandfather and brother as well as a highly respected work colleague renowned for his humour, diligence and professionalism and will be sadly missed.
Mr R Stapleton
Served: 1943-48 Died: 15 Oct 21
RAE/EDH
ILF
The sudden death of Garry on the 11 October 2021 at the untimely age of 62 came as a tremen- dous shock to his hosts of friends, fam- ily, colleagues and all that knew and liked him well. Garry was a much loved partner
DW
Patrick “Paddy” Kennedy was born in Hartlepool on 24 December 1940. He attended St Cuthberts School in West Hartlepool from 1946 until December 1955, where he left school at 15. He worked for
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Long Service and Good Conduct medal. During his various appointments he was renowned for his professionalism and care of those under him. A small man in stature with a great humour Mr Gorski was a vibrant and immaculate character, who had a very hard start to life in Poland. His mother died when he was young, and his father disappeared after the Russian inva- sion of Poland. He was taken with his step- mother and sister to Siberia in Russia by goods train in 1941. He then travelled with difficulty in 1942 via Iran to the Middle East to join “Anders” Army. Mr Gorski was held in huge respect by both senior and young Officers in the Mess, as well as his Staff. He was a breath of fresh air, although it took a while to understand his Polish dia- lect after being so used to Geordie. He invigorated the Mess Staff making sure that our Mess became the finest amongst all cav- alry Regiments. A wry smile and a quiet word brought young officers and their vari- ous dogs to heel. Band nights became leg- endary with the table set resplendently ready for inspection, and silver polished to finesse. Nothing escaped his beady eye. Standing behind the PMC, at a nod of the head his troops performed. The Tidworth 3 Day Event social functions were attended by Princess Anne - a drinks party on Friday, the Ball on Saturday and Sunday lunch under canvas were brilliantly run by Mr Gorki. The Guidon Parade on Salisbury Plain was followed by lunch for Princess Margaret. He organised this function befit- ting a Royal, even down to the Chesterfield cigarettes and her favourite gin. Two Officers’ Mess Balls – Dress the name of a famous racehorse, and then the Bonnie and Clyde party were infamous nights. His smoking of trout or mackerel was legendary, something his father had taught him in Poland. His three children have excelled, with a son commanding The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Mr Gorski managed different projects in Swindon, Poland and Saudi Arabia 1969 - 1988. His house in Abergele was a Regimental Museum with flashes of his Polish homeland. A gentle- man to the end.
Garry was born into a loving family on the 17th of August 1959 in the small village of East Howle, County Durham joining his siblings David and Carolyn. Boisterous, adventurous and smart with an underlying stubborn streak he progressed to the vil- lage primary school leaving at 11 years old to continue into secondary education at Broom School, Ferryhill where he excelled at both sport and studies. His involvement with the Scouts and Church Lads Brigade movements stimulated his interest in the military and upon leaving school at 16 he decided to follow in his brothers footsteps and joined Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Armoured Corps at Bovington Camp, Dorset arriving for the September 1975 intake. Garry had found his forte and adapted to military life and training with enthusiasm and dedication enjoying the discipline, adventure, comradeship and ethos of Junior Leader service. Upon com- pletion of Junior Leaders training he passed out in September 1976 and immedi- ately joined his chosen regiment (and serv- ing brother David) the 15/19th Kings Royal Hussars based in Nicosia, Cyprus. He was assigned to 4th troop B Squadron serving as tank crew in a troop he would remain with until leaving the army. Garry embraced regimental life with gusto and his affable, unflappable, humorous disposi- tion won him many friends as well as the respect of his peers who recognized his dedication, ability, hard work and contri- bution within the troop environment. He continued to serve upon the squadrons return to Tidworth, England and then on to Paderborn, Germany where he served for a further 4 years before leaving the regi- ment in 1981. Garry was very proud to have served in the Regiment for which he held a lifelong and enduring affection. Returning to civilian life he immediately entered the world of work as a Sales Representative for Radio Rentals Television Ltd eventually marrying and starting a family. Garry went on to carve out a solid career as a Service Manager for Lansing Linde Castle who manufactured and distributed Fork Lift Trucks which became a position he held for 30 years before retiring with exemplary service in July 2020. His early life experiences includ- ing the Army, requiring strength of charac- ter and resilience contributed to Garry’s nature and his good humour, common sense and eternal optimism served him well through any adversity. He was witty, loyal, caring and compassionate all quali- ties to aspire to and will be sadly missed by all who had a huge admiration and respect for him.
the end of hostilities he joined 15/19H in Sep 45 in Germany. Robert went with the Regiment when they went to the Middle East where he saw service in Palestine and Egypt. After serving for 4 and half years he left the army attaining the rank of Sgt and settled in Spennymoor, Co Durham. In 2019 Robert and his daughter were hon- oured to travel to Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of DDay.
T L F Royle Esq
Served: 1949-51 Died: 27 Oct 21
Timothy (Tim) Royle was one of a new generation of post war officers who served with the Regiment in Lubeck, Germany as part of the British Army of Occupation. He was educated at Harrow and Mons. Keen and
engaging, Tim embraced the more modern soldiering approach developing after the war. His military career was short but eventful: he once single handedly almost invaded the east when his horse bolted on the border. Another time, his armoured car main armament misfired when traversing on ranges, and nearly took out a group of inspecting senior officers. On leaving the Regiment, Tim had a successful career in insurance, becoming Managing Director of Hogg Robinson Group within which, he founded the security company Control Risks in 1972 and remained Chairman of CR until the 1990’s. Tim was succeeded in the Regiment by his two sons in the 1980’s and 90’s. He remained a keen supporter of Regimental events, and would often be seen at dinners, resplendent in a plum smoking jacket, propping up the bar chat- ting to new generations of officers. Tim and Jill (died January 2021) were a couple of great generosity and humour and will be greatly missed. A memorial service for them both is planned for May 2021 in London.
We were only informed after the fact that Robert had sadly died aged 96 by his daughter Ann. Robert enlisted in 1943 and served with the 3rd Recce Corps. At
the Co-Op as a Delivery Boy, then as a Cinema Projectionist before working at the local Steelworks. On the 21st February 1961 he enlisted in the 15th/19th Kings
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