Page 135 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
More recently, Hibbert-Foy was a board member at Thirsk, join- ing the board in 2013 and serving as chairman for four years. Thirsk’s manager and clerk of the course James Sanderson said: “One thing about Patrick was that he played everything off an incredibly straight bat and by the rules. There was no fudging anything. “As a board member he was brilliant – very, very fo- cused. He was very capable of grasping an issue and understand- ing it. “He will be missed – he was held in very high regard by everyone at Thirsk.”
A former Captain in the 9/12L, Hibbert-Foy served as senior stewards’ secretary from 1994 until 2002, before becoming a racecourse steward and also a member of the BHA disciplinary panel from 2005 until 2012.
“He was one of the most respected officials of his generation,” Legard said. “He was scrupulously honest, utterly dependable and firm but fair. “He wasn’t always the most popular with jock- eys and jockeys are not an easy electorate to please but over time even the Willie Carsons of this world had nothing but complete respect and admiration for him because they knew where he stood and he treated them all equally.”
Hibbert-Foy officiated at the disastrous 1993 Grand National, when the start was disrupted by animal rights activists and was subject to two false starts with the recall system failing on the second occasion. “Despite it not being his fault he had the moral courage to accept responsibility to face the press and the Jockey Club board,” Legard said.
Capt Edward Owain Jones
I truly did not expect to be writing this obituary only six short years after writ- ing Ed’s Valet in the last Vedette of the QRL. Edward Owain Jones was born on the 6 April 1984 in Reigate, Surrey. He spent his formative years at Reigate Grammar School where he excelled in the classroom, on the rugby pitch and as part of Combined Cadet Force. He ob- tained a Masters in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies from Exeter University, which according to his car
sticker was probably the best university in the world, he went on to join commissioning course 071 at the Royal Military Acade- my Sandhurst.
“Jonsey” joined C Squadron, the QRL in December 2007 and immediately deployed to Norway to join the Regimental up- hill ski team, avoiding a large amount of orderly officer. Dur- ing his troop leader’s course in Bovington, he would often be seen leading others on climbing expeditions of the Dorset coast and showing potential officers how the ‘Bovi Hilton’ could easily double as an abseil tower.
In Catterick he embraced life as 2 Troop Leader in C Squadron, coming top in Troop Tests (2008) and leading the Nordic Ski team to the Army Championships. He led a troop from Fondouk Squadron on Operation HERRICK 12, in a ground holding role and mentored the Afghan National Police. As Regimental Gunnery Officer Ed oversaw the pre-deployment training of the Regiment for Operation HERRICK 17, before returning to Sandhurst as a member of staff.
This would be Ed’s last posting, initially as SO3 Leadership in Academy Headquarters before finally commanding a platoon of officer cadets through the commissioning course. A truly fitting end to his service, preparing a new generation of young officers.
Following Ed’s departure from the Army in 2014, he married Lizzie on 1 November in Yorkshire. He went to work for a man- agement consultancy firm in London, supporting law firms. He later took some time out where he became an enthusiastic, gardener and handyman, volunteering part time at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Ed’s jaunt into self-employment ended when he was asked to establish a legal project management capabil- ity for Dentons LLP, a former client. Ed and Lizzie’s daughter, Bronwen Marion was born on the 28 April 2017 and Ed simply couldn’t be happier.
Sadly, Ed died on Friday 25 October 2019 from injuries sus- tained following a tragic accident. He was later cremated, on Friday 22 November at St Richards Chapel, Crawley. To say that it was well attended would quite simply be an understatement. His wife and family were humbled by the number of friends, from school, university, the Army and wider who gathered to say a fond farewell to their dear friend Ed.
OT-F
George Hutchcroft
The Racing Post
George Gerald Hutchcroft who was known as Gerry was called up for Na- tional Service in 1959. Initially badged to the 9/12L he transferred to the 17/21L as they were posted to Hong Kong, and signed on for a three-year engagement. He departed on the troopship Oxford- shire and it took six weeks for them to make the voyage to Hong Kong. Gerry was initially posted to Admin Troop HQ Squadron before moving on to Rec- ce Troop. He had also married Janette
that same year, who had given birth to a son whilst he was away on posting. They eventually joined Gerry in Hong Kong in Sep- tember 1960, they travelled by air, a trip that took 48 hours, but significantly quicker than by sea. Janette parents could not be- lieve she would undertake such a trip with two-month-old baby. They moved into an apartment in the ‘New Territories’ with servants something unheard of in 60`s Britain. Having thor- oughly enjoyed their time in Hong Kong, Gerry was intending to sign on for another six years when he caught a mystery illness, now thought to have been rheumatic fever, which damaged his heart. This resulted in him being medical downgraded and led him being discharged from the Army. The family returned to Hull where Gerry had a successful career as a carpenter. He was a keen supporter of the Northern Branch of the Old Comrades Association serving on the Branch committee for many years. He was a passionate supporter of Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League team and spent many a happy time on the terraces cheer- ing on his team.
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