Page 162 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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EX WOI (SMI) M J BASS
“The Man Mountain”
SSgt (SSI)
RAPTC
Chris Martin RAPTC

It is a great sadness that after a sudden
Chris was born in Winsford, Cheshire
illness. Alie Bass died at hospital on
on the 8 June 1980. At a young
the 18th July 2013. His funeral took
age he joined the Army as part of
place at Nuneaton Crematorium on

the REME and was posted to 6 Bn
the 31st July 2013.
REME. Chris’s passion for a tracksuit
soon became apparent and he was
Beloved husband of Sandra, and
sent to the gymnasium to become
father of Gary, Angela, and brother of

a PTI. After completion of his initial
Patrick and Roger.
PTI courses, Chris heard the calling to transfer from the REME to
the RAPTC. On transferring, Chris was sent to Headley Court to He was surrounded by army friends and people from his local
complete his ERI course, which he did with ease. His ability for community.

skin rubbing led him to being posted to 24 Irish Battery (Phase 2
Recruits), 14 Regt Royal Artillery.

During his time at Larkhill, Chris was responsible for a large, busy WO2 (QMSI) George McCabe
and diverse garrison. In this role, he transformed the rehabilitation

development terrain beyond all recognition to the lasting beneit of Brian Stead
all members of the garrison. His role saw the creation of a wholly
new rehab facility and the generation of over £50,000 of public George McCabe joined the RA in May 1948 and soon progressed
and non-public monies to support the entire garrison. This was through the ranks due to his skill as an artillery man also assistant PTI.

achieved through a combination of sheer effort and timely staff
work.
He attended a pre-advanced course at Shorncliffe in summer
1956 where he impressed all the staff with his enthusiasm and
Chris was an extremely professional, popular, mountain of a man cheerful disposition. On then to ASPT for an advance course

standing at 6’ 6” but he was a gentle giant to those that knew him where as a full Sgt. he was one of the senior students always
and someone with a very bright future ahead of him.
ready and willing to help those junior to him.

His achievements are too numerous to list. Chris was a quiet, George moved on to the probationer’s course and was transferred

modest but an exemplar of RAPTC competence with his efforts to the RAPTC in February 1957 followed by a parachute course.
being formally recognised with an ARTD Commendation.
As a result of his seniority he was then posted directly to a Field
Force Unit and during the next few years served in BAOR, Far East
Even though he was extremely busy at work he still found time to and the UK.
go Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing and to have a social

life with his partner and soul mate Sam. They were inseparable George had the knack of producing irst class sports teams and
and you would often hear of their weekends away Mountain Biking after he took over as APTCI with the Royal Green Jackets, their
or Rock Climbing. Although I am sure these were Chris’s passions boxers dominated the army team championship for a number of
at irst, Sam was always there by his side – she was his rock.
years. This resulted in him being appointed army boxing coach.

In April 2012, after a quick posting change he was posted to Leaving the army after 22 years he ran a successful sport
6 Bn REME and was immediately sent out to Canada to assist equipment irm until his health began to fail. One of his sons had
WO1(SMI) Richie Windard RAPTC with the running of the moved to the USA and George went out for an extended holiday.

Battalion’s Adventure Training Package. Chris was a larger than Sadly he died out there.
life character, full of inspiration in assisting others to overcome
their fears but I know he would have been stood there with a huge His funeral was held in Norwich where members of his regiments
smile on his face, saying to himself ‘every day being able to do all which he had served with distinction, joined family and RAPTC

my favourite adventure disciplines in work time and getting paid representatives to celebrate the life of a ine RAPTC instructor and
for it, Result!!’
friend.

So this mountain of a man became “the mountain conqueror”, but IN MEMORY
he was also the conquered.

Chris was tragically taken from us doing what he loved on 23 John Alvin Taylor – Served in the Corps 1975 – 1992 Died Sep 12
August 2012, he will be greatly missed by all and he leaves behind Chester (Ches) Trainor – Served in the Corps 1947 – 1972 Died Sep 12
a loving family, his devoted partner Sam and Barry the pug. He is
John Stafford – Served in the Corps 1942 – 1946 Died Sep 12
laid to rest at Swanlow Park Cemetery, Winsford, Cheshire. Sam is George Norman – Served in the Corps 1946 – 1967 Died Oct 12
looking to commemorate the 1 year anniversary by scattering his Neville Earle – Served in the Corps 1987 – 1989 Died Nov 12
ashes at the site where Chris died.
Ernest Thrower – Served in the Corps 1945 – 1948 Died Dec 12
Robert (Bob) Donnelly – Served in the Corps 1954 – 1967 Died Dec 12

Chris will always have a place in the hearts of those that knew William Sowden – Served in the Corps 1950 – 1970 Died Apr 13
him, although it’s not the time to say goodbye to him, but to say Thomas (Tom) Godfrey – Served in the Corps 1952 – 1973 Died May 13
‘see you later!!’
Don Hughes – Served in the Corps 1954 – 1969 Died May 13
Arthur Davidson – Served in the Corps 1951 – 1970 Died Jun 13

I shall leave you now with a quote from Chris. “Go hard or go
home”
Unfortunately no obituaries available