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DOUGIE MCGILL 1944-2023
By Major (Retd) Stewart McNeish
Dougie sadly passed away after a very short illness on the 1st February 2023. Life began for Dougie in Sutton Coldfield with sister Melody and brother John. The family soon
moved to Wrexham in Wales but within a few years finally settled in Lockerbie, Dumphries-shire, Scotland.
After leaving school, Dougie started his working life as a farm boy but with his passion for driving he was soon to become a lorry driver working on the construction of the A74. In the mid ‘60s he arrived home to announce he had enlisted in the Royal Engineers. Stationed at Cove he went on to become an Assistant Instructor and was soon recommended for the Advanced Course. This was followed by selection on No 66 Probationers course which he completed in April 1970.
He served throughout his time in the Corps with various units in Germany, Wales, England, Scotland and Cyprus. From the rank of SMI he was commissioned and took over as OC Stirling Cadet Trg Team. This followed tours at JSMTC Wales, JSMTC Scotland, with his final tour at The Command School, Ripon.
On completion of service, he took up the post at Headquarters 2nd Division in Edinburgh running the AT desk as a retired officer. Dougie also became Secretary for the newly formed Scottish Branch of the APTC Association. His commitment to helping establish the Branch was amazing and we saw the Branch grow to probably the most successful and popular of all.
Sadly, Dougie lost his wife Margaret on the 30th July 2010 to cancer. I am sure this loss remained with him to the end. Dougie leaves behind daughter Chanelle, sons Allan and Tony and 3 grandchildren. Dougie will be sadly missed by all who knew him, a dear friend and a lovely man who always had time for others.
STEVE MONK 1955-2022
Three Times Round My Body A Poem for Steve by Bob Taylor
Steve Monk was a Corpsman the best that there could be, fit athletic and chirpy, Oi round my body times three!
The Southend Essex boy supported Tottenham,
for which he took some flack, but with Steve’s infectious character,
for the Hotspur he would never, never Jack!
He transferred with some legends, but Stevie held his own, and down the years he flourished, but was never one to moan!
His marriage to the lovely Jackie, was loving strong and true, they lived
they loved they laughed a lot, a family stuck together like glue!
Steve and Jackie’s two boys are now his legacy,
Standing strong behind the helm. They nurtured,
cared and developed them, to walk tall around this realm.
His golf was sometimes ropey, up and down all day,
But Steve’s big smile and warm refrain, rally taught why we play!
The Muppets left behind you, will continue to run amok, But your dulcet tones will echo, on bad shots when you said O’ cock!
The best are taken early, Steve’s time on earth is done, until we meet again
dear friend, we’ll remember you were so much fun!
A mighty limb has fallen from our Corps family tree, fit athletic and chirpy, Oi round my body times three!