Page 130 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2017

128 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
to Herford, Germany where he received his substantive Cap- taincy – a memorable event marked with generous amounts of pre-lunch Pol Roger. His military career ended with two further tours away from the Regiment – a six month stint in BMATT Zimbabwe followed by taking on the role of Adjutant to The Scottish Yeomanry where his delight in whisky proved a natural fit.
Damon Gerard Alexander Jarrett was born 5th March 1963. He was educated at Cotsbrook Hall and Cheltenham College. An all-round sportsman, he played rugby and athletics and was a first rate cricketer. Latterly, golf also became a passion and he generously bequeathed the Regiment ‘The Jarrett Cup’ for the Officers and NCO’s annual competition. He was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club and enjoyed many days with fam- ily and friends at Lord’s. In civilian life he worked tirelessly for several charities, of which Heroes Return was his most fulfilling.
When cancer struck nearly a decade ago it marked the start of a prolonged and hard fought battle. Losing his voice and ability to eat was, for such a bon viveur and raconteur, a cruel blow. However, with his indomitable spirit, his blog became an outlet for his wit, irreverence, love of words and general musings on society. Throughout his illness he was inspired by his profound love for his wife, Barley, and children Georgia and Immy. Their devotion and stoicism during his illness was an inspiration to all those who were witness to the struggle.
Damon’s memorial service was attended by a significant gather- ing of friends and family. Over thirty ex-9/12th Lancers attended as well as a numerous others with whom Damon had served – a testament to a unique character and someone from an England almost forgotten. As one officer wrote upon hearing of his death, “He set big shoes for us more junior officers to fill, by sheer char- acter and presence...his context and relevance continued well beyond his service and we celebrate the life of a stalwart lancer.” Requiescat in Pace.
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Lance Corporal J R Hatfield-Powell
As a young man John moved, with his family to Australia in 1952. At the tender age of 17 he moved to Sin- gleton in the outback of New South Wales where he worked on a cattle and sheep ranch. He really enjoyed the life but decided to join the mer- chant navy in 1953. During his five or six years at sea he spent some time on New Zealand registered ships and also enjoyed his time in that country.
In 1959 he joined the British army and so having seen the world in the merchant navy he now set out to see a different world in the army. He took a course in photography with the Army public relations service and several of his pictures were published in the press. His regiment, the 12th Royal Lancers were in Cyprus and he did two tours of Northern Ireland, was in Mombassa, Germany and other areas of the world.
After leaving the army John worked for MEXE which was a military experimental establishment in Hampshire and later, John set up his own company specialising in aerial photography. Among the projects he was employed on he photographed pro- gress of the works on the Thames barrier, the M4 motorway and many other major projects. John came to Folkestone in 1994 and was contracted to photograph the Channel Tunnel works. It was at this time that he met his thereafter lifelong companion Margret.
Following retirement both he and Margret supported several charitable causes. These included helping with the homeless, the Migrant Support Group charity together with the locally based Operation Sunshine. This is a Folkestone based charity that collects and distributes aid to Africa, including clothing, food, medical equipment, furniture and much needed educa- tional supplies. John was for many years able to procure these items and helped to load many containers. He was always ready to help others and no project was too daunting for him, he built a garden room with reclaimed timber. He and Margret enjoyed gardening, music, meeting with old comrades and he also con- tinued with his photography.
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Lance Corporal AJC Winter Hall
Alex Winter Hall passed away in Liverpool on 23rd November 2017 aged 45. Alex joined the army as a Junior Leader in Bovington aged 16. Alex served in the 9/12L for 12 years seeing serving in the First Gulf and the Balkans. Alex was a soldier’s soldier, always preferring to be in the field or on operations. He was a popular ‘soldier’s soldier’ and the centre of many a good tall tale. At
Alex’s funeral along with his extended family from Sweden in- cluding father Danny, sister Samantha, and his sons Tomas and Alexander Jnrr. There was a great turnout from ex-9/12L from all over the country who made long journeys to say farewell to this regimental character.
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Staff Sergeant P Frost BEM
Staff Sergeantt Percy Frost a former 9/12L sadly passed away on the 23rd January 2018. Percy was known to most in the Regiment as Jack, he was born in Stoke on Trent Staf- fordshire and joined the regiment in the early 1960s and served until 1986. He thought of the regiment as his family and home and always spoke proudly of his years of service in the 9/12L. During his time in the Regiment he served on operational
tours in Aden and Northern Ireland. He finished his time in the Regiment as A Squadron SQMS and was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the Regiment. After completing his 22 years, he left the army and became a prison officer until his retirement. In his retirement he was a loving father and dot- ing grandfather until he passed away. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
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