Page 218 - The Bugle 2018

LAING, Jimmy Died in November 2017. Jimmy served in A STOKER, Sid Sid died 27 September 2017
Company 7LI at Horden. He was a Senior NCO who was always on hand to get the job done with a smile on his face and with military pride in his heart.
LOUGH, William Died 20 November 2017 aged 78 years. William held the rank of Corporal whilst serving with the DLI.
MATHER, Joseph Sidney Died on the 19th January 2018 aged 87. Sid served with REME. He was a long standing member of the Gateshead & Newcastle Branch.
MELVILLE, John McKenzie Died in September 2017 peacefully in hospital at the age of 79. John served with 1DLI as a National Serviceman.
MORAN, Frank Died on 31st May 2018 at the age of 75. Frank served with the DLI in Berlin.
MULHALL, Jim Major Died 19 October 2017 aged 98.
NICHOLSON, George Died on 24 December 2017 aged 79 years. George was the former Treasurer of the Gateshead and Newcastle Branch. He served as a Royal Northumberland Fusilier.
PRICE, Joe Died on 23 September 2017 in his 80’s. Joe did his National Service with 2DLI in the 1950’s.
READMAN, Alan Alan died 11 September
2017. Originally from Seaham Harbour he
joined the DLI in Korea with C Coy and then
in Suez with the battalion before returning
to Barnard Castle. He was in the Mortar Pl
when he served in Cyprus then Honiton. At
some stage Alan did a tour as PSI in Bsihop
Auckland. From Berlin to Hong Kong prior
to Borneo. CO, Gilly Maughan chose him
to be the PRI Serjeant for Borneo because
Alan was a “wheeler dealer” and ideal for
the job. He worked for Johny Grosch and
did a fantastic job as keeping the families in
contact with their loved ones on Operation. He gained the nickname “Karim Bucks” after the old regimental contractor, as he was a fixer. He would do things like obtain boxed cards for the lads to send home which were also large enough to hold a carton of free fags.
After he retired from the Army, Alan and his wife ran a “Care Home” near Devizes but would always travel north for Regimental Reunions. One memory of Alan was when his father was critically ill. We were in Borneo and had to get him home quickly. He was helicoptered out of a forward positon to Balai Ringin, light aircraft to Kuching, RAF flight to Singapore, staff car to Changi for UK Flight, staff car from London to Seaham Harbour. He walked in the door of the house to see his father who said “Hello Alan” and then passed away. Alan said the whole event was incredible.
ROBINSON, James William Died 2017 at the age of 92 years old. Served with the DLI during World War 2 and afterwards.
ROBSON, Alan Died 21 May 2017. Alan served with DLI C (Coy).
MARTIN, James Smith died on 1st November 2017 aged 68 years. Martin was a private in the 1st Battalion The Light Infantry in Germany during the Cold War.
SMITH, Robert H Died on 16 April 2018 aged 85 years. Private Robert H Smith served with 1st Battalion DLI.
with his family around him. Sid first joined the Army in 1957 and served with the Army Catering Corps. He was posted to Tripoli in North Africa where he served for four years from 1960-1964. Served in Germany next and returned to the UK in 1970.
After completion of his Regular service he
joined the TA and was posted to 5LI. After
5LI, he served with D Coy 7LI in Durham
and attended all major Exercises, Keystone,
Lion Heart and Crusader in Germany. His
last Exercise was in Arlon, Belgium. Sid went
through the ranks up to SQMS and Master Chef of 7LI where he did outstanding work. Sid is sadly missed by so many in the DLI Association.
THORNTON, Richard BEM (Dick) Died 26
September 2017 at the age 92. Serjeant R
Thornton joined the Army in July 1943 at the
age of 18, enlisting in the Royal Army Service
Corps. He served as a driver in a divisional
column in Italy rising to the rank of Corporal,
and was demobilised from the Army in 1947.
In 1948 he joined the 8th Battalion Durham
Light Infantry as a Territorial Soldier and rose
to the rank of Colour Serjeant. In 1965 he was
awarded the General Officer Commanding
in Chief’s Commendation for his services.
In 1967 he retired from 8DLI transferring to
124 Recovery Company, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Volunteers) as a Clerk REME in the rank of Staff Serjeant. In 1974, on reaching the age limit for REME, he transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps (Volunteers) and reverted to the rank of Serjeant, remaining in 124 Recovery Company. He finally retired in January 1986 after a total of over 41 years service.
For his exceptionally valuable services and devotion to duty, which has been an inspiration to others, Her Majesty the Queen has graciously awarded Serjeant Thornton the British Empire Medal.
TWEDDALL, Harold George Died 18 March 2018 aged 90 years. He served in the Durham Light Infantry and also the Parachute Regiment. Harold was a long-time member of the Stockton Branch of the DLI Association.
TWEDDLE, David Died on 21st January 2018. He served with the DLI in Borneo, Belize and Hong Kong.
VETTON, Brian Died 31 December 2017 at the age of 85. Brian served with the DLI in Korea.
WILLIS, Arthur Died 1 October 2017 aged 53. Arthur served with 7LI Mortar Platoon.
WRIGHT, Derek Died 8 September 2017. Derek (Butch) was an ex 1LI Provo Corporal and long standing Hartlepool Branch member.
SWINDEN, Cyril (Ces) Died on the 15th February in hospital aged 78. Ces served in the regular army for 29 years and was PSAO in Horden for 13 years.
224 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES