Page 150 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

148 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
be re-equipped with the CVR(T)range and it was in this era that Ron’ s true gift as an administrator really flourished; he ran an ex- emplary operation which once again had to face the challenge of reequipment to the Chieftain tank on the move to Fallingbostel.
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (QM), Ron was posted to join the newly established British Army Training Team (Nigeria) in 1975 tasked with founding and running a Staff College for the Nigerian Army near Kaduna in the north of the country. This appointment posed a serious challenge as not only was he now responsible for the administration of the 14 members of the Di- recting Staff and their families but also the creation of a new build Staff College from scratch. He rose magnificently to the challenge; of this time the Commandant, Major General Tony Boam has written “ He was resolute and tireless with an extraor- dinary ability to obtain the best in difficult circumstances; al- ways friendly and cheerful “. For his services in Nigeria he was awarded a well-deserved MBE in the 1978 Birthday Honours. Ron rejoined the regiment at Bovington where he was quarter- master of the garrison as well as the regiment; a most demanding task accomplished with his usual flair and efficiency. After the regiment departed for Germany, Ron remained as QM of Lul- worth Garrison before ending his 35 years of service with the 17/21L. On retirement he took up the post of Mess Secretary of the Bovington Officers’ Mess and at that time was a founder member of the Southern Branch of the Old Comrades Associa- tion. Ron married Pam in 1952 who was by his side for all of his regimental service; she sadly died in 1993 leaving Ron to serve out the rest of his life alone. His was truly a life well lived with blue and white forever circling in his veins.
A D-N
Major AF Gradidge
Francis Gradidge was at his happiest when working with wood and using his vivid imagination in creating furniture and many other items. He was also renowned for the amazing Regimen- tal parties, which he organised where the mess was transformed into an unbelievable new world appropriate to the theme of the party. His standards in this field have left his successors much to live up to.
Francis was born in India where his father served in The Queen Victoria’s Own Corps of Guides and he spent his early child- hood there. He was educated at Summerfields, Eton and after RMA Sandhurst joined the Regiment in 1961 as a Troop Leader in A Squadron. He quickly showed himself as being technically highly competent and became Technical Adjutant. It was dur- ing this time that his parties became renowned throughout Ger- many. Although he did not ride horses, he brought bicycle polo to the Regiment by buying or acquiring old bicycles and repair- ing them. Many an officer suffered from the spectacular crashes, which ensued.
He taught at the D&M School in Bovington before qualifying as a helicopter pilot and served in the Air Squadron in Aldergrove as well as a tour in the Far East. He then returned to command A Squadron, which included an emergency tour in the Markets in Belfast. It was during this tour that his actions significantly helped to curtail the actions of the IRA for which he did not receive full acknowledgement. Very sadly he lost his wife Diana, in a car crash and was left to bring up two young children, Clare and Richard, on his own.
Later he became Regimental Second in Command in Bovington and his organising expertise came to the fore again in producing memorable Bovington Open Days as well as a huge and spectacu- lar Old Comrades’ Week-end involving parades, demonstrations and dances. It was during this time that whilst sailing he was caught up in the French Trawlermens’ blockade. He managed to outwit and out run the Frenchmen and achieved national fame
for doing so. He married Liz and between them they brought up his two children and her’s Harry and Arabella.
His final job in the Army was at the Battle Group Trainer, where he revolutionised the computer system to the benefit of all future users.
He left the Army after 26 years and set up, together with Liz, “In- spirations”, which was family business, where Francis restored and made furniture, whilst Liz managed the gallery and sales side. After several years of success they moved to the Scottish Borders and ran a B&B, which mainly catered for fishermen on the Tweed. They won the award for the best B&B in the country.
Francis and Liz then moved south to Wiltshire again, in happy retirement. Very sadly Liz suddenly died in 2013 leaving Francis alone again.
Francis will be remembered as a very loyal friend and wonderful company, playing his Ukulele and singing songs from Chas and Dave. None of us will forget his innovations and the wonderful parties, which he organised.
Trooper N Marchant
17 December 1998-20 February 2019
Sergeant Atherley, Troop Sergeant, A Squadron:
In 2018 we deployed on Operation Tosca 28 as part of the United Na- tions peacekeeping force and Noah joined our Platoon midway through our deployment. Joining a tight-knit group midway through an opera- tional tour would be daunting for any individual, however it soon be- came clear that the Platoon had just inherited a lively character that was going to have a positive impact.
Within days of being in Cyprus,
Noah looked to have found his feet and anybody looking from the outside in would never have guessed he had only just arrived. To his fellow troopers he was a popular individual who was always seen with a smile on his face and he was equally comfortable receiving banter as he was giving it out. To his NCOs he was also well liked: challenging at times (in a positive, likeable way), he was also the first to volunteer for any task and I never heard him moan about his work. Noah’s positive outlook to the job and his cheeky smile brought a well-
timed freshness to the Platoon.
On returning to the UK, Noah moved into a different troop so I didn’t see as much of him, but he could always be heard from the other side of the corridor cracking jokes and having a laugh. He was always one of the “go-to” troopers as he had proven himself to be a reliable and effective individual.
Always up for a laugh and rarely seen without a smile on his face Noah was a big character within the Squadron. His positive ap- proach to work and professionalism whilst working on the tank park rubbed off on his peers and I have no doubt that he was destined to have a very successful career in the Regiment. He will be sorely missed.
WJH