Last Post .. we will remember them

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Click here if you know of any ex-corps members who have passed away.

Unless you specify otherwise your email address will be included in the entry (in an encrypted format to deter spammers) so that comrades or colleagues can get in touch with you.

O'HARA, Derek

I met Derek in Berlin in 1962. He was well liked by all and it is a pity that his illness won out in the end. So all that remember him should spare a thought for yet another comrade who has fallen out for the last time. RIP.


Robert (Bob) Hurst 12-05-12                   Email:Bob Hurst

QUINN, Francis Arnold (Frank)

Published in the Hull Daily Mail on 17th December 2005 (Distributed in Beverley, Hull)

On 16th December 2005. Suddenly at his home in Brandesburton aged 63 years. Dearly loved Husband of Kathleen, loving Dad of Marie, Anthony and Caroline, in-laws and a dear Grandad. Funeral service and interment Saint Mary's Church Brandesburton 2pm Thursday 22nd December.

Frank's final posting was as RSM of 39 (COL) Signal Regt (V) where I was the RQMS at the time. As two Lancastrians, we got on like a house on fire. It was fair to say the Londoners never quite knew how to take us and we had many a laugh at their expense. He came to us from N.I. and was in 22 Signal Regt before that. He was an ex boy soldier, but I can't remember where he did his basic training.

When he completed his 22 years in 1982 he managed to get the very prestigious job as security manager at The Royal Albert Hall. Still don't know how he managed to blag that one!

Last time I saw Frank was in 1984 when he was in his usual form relating stories about the so called stars he had come across while working in his job.

Like many ex soldiers we drifted apart after that and I only found this obituary by accident whilst surfing the net in the last few days.


Ray Steen, ex WO2 11-05-12                   Email:Ray Steen

HOLT, Maj Donald George

Donald Holt died on Saturday 5th May aged 91 years after a long and very brave battle with ill-health. Donald proudly served with the Royal Signals in the Second World War, primarily in Burma and India then in Italy. He was a soldier to the very last moment of his life. All family and friends will remember him with much love, admiration and true pride.


Wendy Dumbleton 06-05-12                   Email:Wendy Dumbleton

GRAFTON, Benjamin Arthur

My father, a Dunkirk veteran, died on 16th April 2012 at the age of 93.


Kevin Grafton 03-05-12                   Email: Kevin Grafton

SILSBY, Allan

204 (Iserlohn) and 252 (Hong Kong) Sig Squadrons in the 60's. Sadly passed away 2011 in Sydney Australia. Sleep well, brother.


Michael Swinton 11-04-12                   Email: Michael Swinton

ALLEN, Eric

Eric Charles Arthur Allen joined the British Army Boys Service, aged 16, on 1st February, 1951. He served until 23rd January, 1976, and was released from his last posting which was 4 Div HQ and Signal Regt, Herford in Germany, as a Corporal Combat Radioman, which he had been for most of his service.

He was a staunch member of the RAOB which he often represented in the UK. He was a also member of the GB Club in Minden where you would often find him on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.

He was a highly respected member of Minden's ex-pat fraternity and will be sadly missed. He passed away on 9th April 2012.

Certa Cito and Rest in Peace, Eric


Jim Young (updated 20-04-12)                   Email: Jim Young

LOMAX, Paul Douglas

My father sadly passed away on 28 March 2012, aged 65. He served in the Royal Signals from 1963-1971 and re-enlisted 1974-1984, serving in Cyprus, Germany and the UK.


Nia Paulus 02-04-12                   Email: Nia Paulus

HOLT, Paul

Together with Cpl Fred Darlow, we became great friends at ACC, Harrogate (Bradley Sqn, 72C). Whilst Fred and I were serving at SHAPE, in Casteau, Mons in the early 80's, we learnt that Paul was killed/murdered during the troubles in Ireland.

It is only fairly recently that I found some details of his death, and that he died aged 23 on 3rd November 1980 and is buried at the Wilford Cemetery in Nottingham.

RIP friend, my belated thoughts and condolences are with you and your family.


Brian "Nobby" Clark 27-03-12                   Email: Brian "Nobby" Clark

MARSH, Maj Robert, M.B.E.

Bob Marsh was born in 1927 and joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a boy soldier at the age of fourteen and a half years in 1942. He served in the ranks from May 1945 until July 1952 attaining the rank of WO1 whilst serving in Catterick, the Carribean and Woolwich in London.

In 1952 he was commisioned Lieutenant (T.O.T.). He served as an officer in Scottish Command where he worked on the Edinburgh Tattoo 1956-1959. In 1961 he was seconded to the Malaysian military forces living in Kuala Lumpur serving there until 1964 when he returned to serve in BAOR.

He was awarded the MBE in 1964.

Bob finished his army career serving at HQ Command SHAPE (BAE)in Belgium from 1967 to his retiremant in 1969 as Major (T.O.T.). He then went on to work as an RO2 at SHAPE for many years.

He was a keen rugby player in his youth though his real passion was golf. In his retiremant he settled at Erbisoeul near The Royal Hainault golf club and played there for many years as both Captain and secretary.

Bob died on the 19th December 2011 after a short illness, he is survived by his wife Mony and his son Robert and daughter Chantal and their families.

He is much missed and always remembered


Robert Marsh 22-03-12                   Email: Robert Marsh

STRATTON, Gary

I have just found out a very good friend, Gary Stratton, passed away in 2007 after leaving the Corps and joining the New Zealand Air Force. Gary and I met on a tour in Belize and became good friends there and while serving in Verden with 1 ADSR.

I left the Corps in 1992 and, as you do, we lost contact.

My thoughts and condolences go to Lucy his wife and children. My life was enriched through knowing you Gary. God bless. Your mate, Sean


Sean Wratten 05-03-12                   Email: Sean Wratten

DERBYSHIRE, Ches

Anyone who played most sports will know Ches. Unfortunately Liz left us about 15 yrs since and Ches on 12th January 2012. A great guy and an inspiration to many.


Geordie Dunnill 01-03-12                   Email: Geordie Dunnill

RADWELL, Brian

Brian Radwell, 1962-1969, passed away on 22nd February 2012. Was known to the boys as Radish


Karen Booker 27-02-12                   Email: Karen Booker

HAILS, Ron

Passed away on Friday 17th February 2012 in St Michael's Hospice Harrogate.

Ron will be sadly missed by friends and all at Ripon City Golf Club. He was always a true gentleman to the end.


Bill Barnett 21-02-12                   Email: Bill Barnett

GLOBE, Samuel Stanley

Former members of the Royal Corps of Signals who served in the 1939/45 war will be sorry to learn of the passing of Corporal Samuel Stanley Globe of Liverpool who died aged 83 on July 31st 2003.


Richard Globe (son) 02-02-12                   Email: Richard Globe

NEWMAN, Donald

My Father sadly passed away on the 16th January 2012. He served with the Royal Signals as part of his National Service between 1953-1955.


Janice Newman 26-01-12                   Email: Janice Newman

PEARCE, Alan

Captain Alan Pearce, 1929-2011, served with the Royal Corps of Signals from 1947 until 1974. He joined Boys Service, rising up through the ranks, to Commissioned officer. One of his most memorable postings was when he was appointed RSM of 211 Signal Squadron, 11 Infantry Brigade HQ & Signal Squadron, in Minden, Germany.

He gave the lads short shrift if wrong and praise when right. He was an avid supporter of ALL the Squadrons sportsmen which ever team or sport that they played and was always seen on the touch lines supporting when he had the chance. He himself was a Hockey player and this had been his sport for some years.

When he left the squadron to get commissioned the squadron gave him a farewell party to thank him for all he had done to make the squadrone the Best in BAOR.

In later years some of the lads started to hold a re-union every year at the Union Jack Club in London and when he heard of this he sent a donation to the 'Drinks' fund which was very much appreciated. When the lads had a sweatshirt commissioned to wear at the re-unions they sent him one as a souvenir, which he had framed and put on the wall of his house.

Alan passed away on the 10th December 2011 and his funeral was on the 5th January 2012. In attendance were 12 Ex Members of 211 Squadron from all parts of the UK and Germany to say their Last Farewell to a much respected RSM. Picture can be found Capt Alan Pearce, RIP

RIP Alan Pearce

Members who attended: Dave McGurk, Ian Chapman, Joe Parks, Phil Pearce, Billy Freeman, Billy Ridley, Jim Young, Ronni Turaga, Fred Alexander, John Leroy, Banzi Bradley and Paul Barlow (photo here)


James Young 25-01-12                   Email: James Young

FIELDING, Kenneth Raymond

My father, Ken Fielding JP, served in the Royal Signals during the Second World War, 14th Army Formation, The Burma Campaign. He sadly died on Sunday 22nd January aged 89. I know he was wounded in action but little of his service history with the "Forgotten Army". A hard fought war that was with him all his life, he now rests in peace,


Ray Fielding 26-01-12                   Email: Ray Fielding

PROWSE, Bernard Reginald

Bernard Reginald Prowse, 88, of Gosport, Hampshire UK, sadly passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, after a diagnosis of primary liver cancer in June. He died at Countess Mountbatten House, Southampton, Hampshire UK and he will be sadly missed.

Bern was enlisted into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1942 at the age of 19. He was posted to North Africa, Sicily and Austria. Bern played a critical role for the installation of the communications infrastructure for the Military Government in Austria.

His details were 14386539 Corporal Bernard Reginald Prowse, R Sigs. He was de-mobbed on his return from Vienna - I am not sure of the date.


Dennis Prowse 24-01-12                   Email: Dennis Prowse

BOWERS, Robert (Bob)

Bob died on 19th January 2012. He will be missed by all 237 Sig Sqn reunion crowd.


Peter Buckley 22-01-12                   Email: Peter Buckley

BIRD, William Henry

I would like to pay tribute to, and record for posterity, the service of my grand-father at a time when the Royal Corps of Signals did not exist.

RE 288271 Sapper William Henry Bird (WHB) served in the Royal Engineers as a signaler with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium during WW1.

Prior to enlisting WHB was a Telegraphist in the Post Office. His skills and knowledge were soon put into good effect in the front line trenches where he and others intercepted German landline comms using an 'earth return' system. Their intercept was, in some cases, read by female linguists who it is suspected also served in the trenches. (This suspicion is not widely known).

After WW1, WHB returned to the Post Office and worked for them until some time in the 50's. During WW2 he worked at Dollis Hill Post Office Research Station where some of the development of Bletchley Park's Geheim Schreiber (decoding of German wartime teleprinter traffic) was done. I do not know if he was personally involved at that time. All my enquiries have drawn a blank.


Patrick Seymour Smith 19-01-12                   Email: Patrick Seymour Smith

NICHOLS, Brian

My father Brian Nichols did his National Service in the Royal Signals between 1956-1958. He had just completed his apprenticeship as an electrical fitter - and got married - when he was called up.

We don't know much about his time at Catterick, but we have a proficency certificate showing that he was the best rifle shot in 2 Squadron, 7 Training Regiment in April 1956. We also know that he was a lance corporal when he left the army.

After de-mob, he returned to Portsmouth Naval Base where he spent most of his working life as a civilian electrician.

Dad passed away peacefully on 17 December 2011.

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers Brian Nichols from his brief spell with Royal Signals.


Phil Nichols 15-01-12                   Email: Phil Nichols

DAVIDSON, Reginald Graham

My father served from 1939 to 1946 with the corps as a Sgt dispatch rider. Sadly, he passed away yesterday evening in his sleep, at the Calow Royal Hospital Chesterfield, aged 89. He will be sorely missed.


Pete Davidson 01-01-12                   Email: Pete Davidson