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that he had been based in Northern Ireland during which he found, pursued and won the heart of Jacqueline Balmer. In his short time in Oman his company became pinned down by heavy enemy fire for some hours during which his company command- er was killed. Roger successfully oversaw the extrication of the company.”
Soon after, on hearing of her MS diagnosis, Jackie cancelled their engagement. Roger came hot foot back from Oman, told her she was wrong, overrode her concerns and took her to the altar in June 1973. Tragically the MS took ever increasing hold. Roger and Victoria were tireless in their care of Jackie right to the very end of Jackie’s life. She was great fun, hospitable and a perfect foil for Roger.
Roger was a very competitive officer, both on the field and in the field. At Sandhurst Roger was stroke for the RMAS 8. He played regimental level sport – rugby, hammer, shot and discus (he was excellent at throwing all manner of objects on and off the field), represented GB in the European Bobsleigh championships and was a member of the Regimental Cresta Team. He liked to win. Under his careful attention, his soldiers won Tp Tests in 1971 and the Rolls Royce Shield four times. One of his greatest achievements was managing the Regimental Team’s entry to the Boeselager International (NATO) Reconnaissance Competition in 1985. The Regiment’s first showing at this prestigious event resulted in a win for the Auslander (non-German) prize. He selected and trained the Regiment’s 1986 team which won the competition outright, although he had to hand over the tiller to a brother officer a month beforehand due to being posted away from RD. He was less than happy.
Roger loved soldiering and had a great affection for his soldiers. He demanded and got the highest of standards. He had the moral courage to command with a loose rein, trust his subordinates and yet bear any shortcomings himself. He relished the Exercise sea- sons and the opportunities which they brought. A hugely capa- ble soldier, he loved being in the field, particularly in Southern Germany. He was not a fan of dripping beechwoods, preferring to be comfortable during weekend maint periods. His troop leaders worked hard to ensure decent “accommodation” for both soldier and vehicle, particularly in villages, especially those with football pitches, gymnasiums and the obligatory Gasthaus. Krumbach was such a village, nestling in darkest Swabia. Having found this jewel near the Danube we came back the following year. At end of play Roger became a sort of honorary Burgermeister, borrowed a helicopter from who knows where and crashed out a delighted local fire brigade to wash the vehicles down, prior to Tp Tests. When meeting a visiting Very Senior Office VSO), in the field, a troop leader described Roger as a real terrier. “Hmm” said the VSO, “a bloody big one.
Some thought him to be divisive, others a little too cunning. When it came to competition, he rarely felt constrained by the rules. He relished a long leash, particularly when playing an en- emy force on exercises. There was a significant deal of cunning in him which, matched with his enthusiasm, spelled a hard time for the opposition. It was done for good reasons – to stretch blue forces in the most demanding manner and to expose weaknesses in procedures to allow lessons to be learned and acted upon. Sprinkle this with good humour and a modicum of good honest deceit, he provided an aggressive, testing training medium for the opposition and the end justified the means in his view. This view was adopted by his subordinates with alacrity.
The Delhi Spearman benefited from Roger’s pennings, as he was an excellent, witty cartoonist and his work was legion, generally covering exercise successes or excesses and regimental life. Some of the victims of his art were not always happy with his works but they made us laugh. He will also be remembered for his love of the Blues Brothers film, which led to his impressive imper-
sonation of John Belushi singing “Rawhide” during a squadron party, complete with black pork pie hat and sunglasses, from be- hind a chicken wire screen. The screen provided meagre protec- tion from the myriad of bottles thrown at him.
Roger relished any sort of challenge and was adept at produc- ing innovative solutions. As Second in Command, he and the Commanding Officer delivered a civilian company style sub- mission for the Eastern District Award scheme which resulted in a substantial prize for a new regimental laundry for Carver Barracks. He often enjoyed the hospitality of the Master Cut- ler when Commanding Officer of Sheffield University where he achieved an MBA. He was awarded the OBE when working for the Defence Export Sales Organisation and on leaving the Army he worked for them as a consultant. He also travelled widely, working for the FCO as a Queens Messenger. Additionally; he was County Commandant of the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force as full colonel in the Reserve Forces, he held the Freedom of the City of London, was an active member of the Royal Brit- ish Legion, (Debden Branch) and recently retired as the Essex county chairman. In 2017 he became a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, a role he was extremely honoured to undertake.
He enjoyed his beloved Thaxted and the rich variety of life and amusement which came with living in Essex, particularly when serving with the Morris Men. When his condition was diag- nosed leading to his subsequent hospitalisation, he maintained his wicked sense of good fun and good humour until the very end. He is sorely missed by his Regimental Family and we all send our deepest sympathy to Victoria, Clive and their children.
Roger Burgess born 5th May 1948, died 16th March 2019
NJWB
SSgt Norman Crocker
I first met Norman when, as a Trooper, I was posted to the Regiment in York Bar- racks, Gremmendorf, Münster. Norman was then Troop Sergeant of 4th Troop B Squadron. Norman joined the Army as a Junior Leader in 1944 and had the ad- vantage of being a skilled soldier as he entered the Regular Army. He soon showed his leadership skills, not only on the tank park, but on the sports field. He became the captain of the Regimental football team and represented the Regi-
ment at cricket and basketball. He played hockey at Brigade level during his time in Hong Kong. I remember that Norman had an operation on his neck which we all thought would see an end to his sporting days. But no, he was soon back again playing football (on the proviso he didn’t head the ball).
On being promoted to SQMS, Norman’s long career ended. He had been a good soldier, a kind and pleasant man who was respected by all who had served with him. Norman’s sporting days did not end with his military service. Golf became his new- found sport, at which, of course, he excelled. However, a lifetime of sport took its toll, and several years ago, a worn-out foot was amputated. This surely, this time, his sporting days would end. No, wrong again! Within a few short months he was back on the golf course. Such was the calibre of this splendid soldier.
For my part I am saddened to have lost such a good friend and happy to have the honoured memory of a soldier who served in my Regiment for all of his service.
RIP Norman.
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
PF