Page 156 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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Scotland and to the Ordnance Depot in Stirling, followed by a secondment in 1942 to train Royal Marine Commandos and then to 52 Mountain Division in 1943. In 1944 he crossed into Belgium on “D Day”, where he opened up a “Battle Training School” for Ex wounded Soldiers who had suffered terrible wounds during the campaigns in Holland.
After the War, Tom was posted from the “Battle School” to serve with the 14/20 Hussars (Cherry Pickers) in Jever Nr Willemshaven, before once again heading back to Edinburgh and then to the “Highland Training Centre” at Fort George, Inverness. No time to take up roots, as Tom is posted back down the A9 to take up his position in HQ Scottish Command as a newly promoted SMI. Further travels then see Tom and his family move to HQ Tripolitania in Libya in 1952 and then to the “Middle East School of PT”, under the command of Maj (later Lt Col) Beaumont.
Returning back to HQ Scottish Command in September 1951, Tom later declined a Commission within the Corps due to family reasons, beyond his control. Retuning to civilian life, Tom took up a position working in the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he completed 23 years loyal service.
Amongst his personal achievements was being selected as an International Boxing Referee and refereeing several international bouts, including Scotland v Ireland on three separate occasions; Scotland v France and British Semi-Finals and Final. Also as a keen fencer, he presided at the British Ladies Foil Championships in 1951 and was the “Tripolitania” Foil Champion in 1954.
Tom was married in 1939 to his beloved Kathleen who sadly died in February 2003 after 63 wonderful years and leaves behind 3 adoring daughters (who are well skilled in Boxing and Fencing from their early years!).
Tom was an outstanding ambassador for the Corps, regularly attending Association Reunions both in Aldershot and at region Gatherings, which he enjoyed greatly. Tom’s daughters, Margaret and Pauline (and Pauline’s husband – Peter) would regularly attend the Scottish Branch Gathering with Tom; this year they attended without their Dad. Pauline, who always wrote a poem for Tom on his Birthdays, requested to read a poem as a tribute to her Dad “TOM” at this year’s Gathering held in Kinross on Saturday 4 June 2016.
The poem is reproduced below.
DAD’S ARMY
Tom Jones joined the army at just age sixteen. To follow his father he was very keen. And so a young Thomas was extremely bold And overnight became eighteen years old.
He knew the army was his place to be
And took up a post with the APTC.
A Keep Fit Instructor he wanted to be
To train his young men to the highest degree.
He trained the young boys for the landings and when June 6th ‘44 came lost so many men.
His job in the Corps was a wonderful life. Home and abroad with three girls and a wife. It was always his dream to get others t Us girls grew up mostly in our P E Kit!
We would fence with his swords, put on the big mask. To keep on our small heads it was quite a task. While others were skipping we’d parry and thrust
I never did win which I thought quite unjust. Boxing gloves were put on and we’d spar about. Once more it was me who was always knocked out!
The fun and the friendship for so many years For him made his choice the best of careers. Yes, it was special the camaraderie
With all those he met through the APTC. And when he retired he loved nothing more Than his annual reunions to be with the Corps.
Almost ninety nine when he passed away There’s one thing I feel I must say today. He lived a full life, was as t as a ea And I think it’s all down to the APTC!
To his army connections he was always loyal
No one more delighted when the Corps became Royal. We are proud of our Dad and the choices he made But joining the army takes top accolade.
He loved his reunions, his evenings enhanced As round the oor with the ladies he danced. We hope through the years we can keep in touch. On behalf of our Dad, we thank you so much.
Pauline Howie (nee Jones).
Ex WO2 (QMSI) IAN (FRED) PERROTT
By Lt Col (Retd) P Stallard
I served with Fred Perrott at the Army Apprentice College Arbor eld 1985/7. He was my supporting expertise for the running of the External Leadership (Adv Trg) Wing and we enjoyed a particularly close relationship. He had an infectious love of the outdoors and a humorous disposition that warmed to me, particularly when out on the hills or following him up on a precipitous rock face yelling for a ‘tight rope!’ Not overtly ambitious, he was more for getting on with the job and his commitment and loyalty was without question. On one occasion when his wife Yvonne was hospitalised after a collapsed lung he insisted on commuting daily from Reading down to South Wales to ensure the following day’s activities were fully prepared and the instructors properly briefed. To this day I look back on those two years as the best tour of my service – Fred went on to retire from the Corps and remained an instructor there until the end. Speaking to him on the phone a short while before he died, I was struck by his indomitable outlook towards life – sad that such a good man should be sold short on it...