Page 146 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

144 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
took ill in June 2018 and spent his final weeks in the Marie Curie hospice in Bradford with his family by his side; he passed away on 9th August. The funeral was at Birstall crematorium followed by the Wake at Roy’s local golf club. It was attended by many of his old comrades from the regiment along with Irene, son Paul, daughter Julie, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Roy will be sorely missed by myself and many others, he was a true friend.
the first Gulf War (Operation GRANBY) where Lee was keen to put all his training to the test. He was assigned as a Battle Casu- alty Replacement (BCR) where, following in-theatre training, was attached to D Squadron, SCOTS DG for the duration of the tour. Upon returning to the regiment, now based in Tidworth, Lee returned to his beloved A Squadron. During this time, he deployed on several occasions, to BATUS for Exercise MEDI- CINE MAN.
Lee represented the Regiment at rugby in several positions. He always thought he was a back, insisting at times he was suited at full back. It was thought he liked this role as it was the easier option!! In the end, he admitted he was to become a member of the illustrious front row.
In 1993 Lee was part of the amalgamation parade that formed The Queen’s Royal Lancers and moved to Osnabruck and this is where his life became complete. He met his wife to be Babs on a night out in 1994 in a local pub in Osnabruck. Lee saw Babs from across the bar and decided to go over and chat with his opening words “and who are you married to?” Lee and Babs were married in Mansfield on the 27th December 1997 and he became (step) Father to Mark, Sarah and Anna, idolising and cherishing every moment he spent with them. Lee’s legacy will live on through his children.
In 2004, Iraq again beckoned. He deployed on Operation TELIC 4 with D Squadron and following his return, was selected for promotion to sergeant, becoming the Regimental Provost Ser- geant a position, he thrived in, ensuring the highest standards were met. After a distinguished 22 year career, he handed in his ID card in and became Mr Darker. Lee and Babs did not move far away, settling in Darlington. Lee had several jobs before fi- nally finding the job that suited him, becoming a pest control- ler. Even though he was small in stature, Lee had the biggest of hearts for all and nothing was too much trouble for Lee. Lee will live on in everyone’s memories for a lifetime. As his belov- ed Babs says from their favourite song “he was the clown who picked her up when she was down”. From all your brothers from another mother, you will be missed in a big way. Or Glory
DO
Lance Corporal M Shillito
Mathew John ‘Shilly’ Shillito age 31, died on the 1st October 2018 after losing the struggle with PTSD at his home in Oadby, Leicester. Mat was born 18th August 1987 and was the third child of Paul and Tracey Shil- lito. He was the brother to Stuart Lee and Lana and loving father to Gracie-Alice. Mat joined the 9/12L in 2005 and saw operational service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a soldier through and through, and his aim in life was to serve his coun-
try after his time in the army cadet force and make his family proud. In addition to his love of soldiering Mat was a keen darts player and a fan of Leicester Tigers. We will remember him as the loving son and the father he became. Forever our hero for- ever in our hearts.
TS
Captain M Clapham
BB
Martin Clapham joined the 9/12L, and transferred to the Intelligence Corps in 1986. After training, he served as a security intelligence op- erator in Northern Ireland. Martin also saw service with allied staff in Berlin where he was present when the Berlin Wall came down and the two Germanys were reunited. Later Martin undertook Greek language studies at the University of West- minster and after passing the lin- guist examination, he was posted to
Cyprus and later his skills as a Greek linguist were used in Bos- nia when he was appointed as an unofficial liaison officer to a Greek infantry unit in Sarajevo. Martin was commissioned from the ranks as a warrant officer class II on 12th July 1999. For those who knew Martin well, they all knew he had a knack of getting out of tight corners.
On a muster parade in Ashford, and still a member of the 9/12L, he was picked up by the company sergeant major (CSM) for hav- ing a tea stain on his trousers. Martin immediately explained to the CSM that his tea stain was in fact deliberate because it commemorated the day in 1857, during the Indian Mutiny, when a messenger rushed into the mess tent of the 9L during breakfast and announced that mutineers were attacking. The commanding officer immediately jumped from the table, spill- ing tea on his jodhpurs as a result. So that the Commanding Officer would not look improperly dressed in comparison, the other officers present splashed some tea on their jodhpurs too and henceforth, on this date each year, members of the regiment parade with a fresh tea stain on their trousers. Clearly this story was entirely made-up by Martin on the spot but was told well enough to get him out of a show parade or extra duties. (anecdote supplied by Spike Speedman)
Sadly, Martin passed away on 14th August 2014 after battling pancreatic cancer. His funeral was held on 10th September 2018 at St Mary’s Church, in Romsey, Hampshire. Martin is survived by his wife, Rachel, and his three children Jessica, Charlotte and Alex. The text of this obituary composed by Martin himself.
Sergeant L Darker
MPC
Lee joined the Army is 1988, com- pleting his basic training in Catter- ick. Army life suited Lee even though in training, he was not keen on all the cleaning, so paid someone else to do it for him. He joined the 17/21L in Munster Germany and was assigned to A Squadron as a Challenger 1 driv- er, the troop leader’s driver. His first troop sergeant said he was always a cheeky likeable sod though “con- stantly winding me up” but adapted well to life in the squadron.
Lee deployed on various exercises on Soltau and Hohne Ranges, as well as attending career courses before in 1990, deploying to