In Memoriam
The Regiment extends sincere condolences to the families of all those named below: ARROWSMITH Bernie CSgt
spent two more years with 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment in Luneburg and at the Mercian Brigade Depot in Lichfield. He retired in 1960 but continued to serve the Regiment as a Trustee and was Secretary and Treasurer of the Friends of the Regiment.
Of Stockport in May 2009. He was a well- respected PSI with A Company The Mercian Volunteers at Stockport.
BALCHIN Kenneth Pte 22682679 BARTHOLOMEW Ernest
Of Sutton Coldfield in August 2009 aged 92. He served in The South Staffordshire Regiment during WW2 and was part of 59 Division in Normandy.
BEARDAH Graham Pte 23664003 BICKLEY Walter CSgt
Of Bushbury on 29 August 2009 aged 81. He enlisted into the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1946 and joined the 2nd Battalion in Germany. After the amalgamation, he served with the 1st Battalion in Sudbury, Lichfield, Hong Kong, Ballykinler, Minden, The Canal Zone and Cyprus during the EOKA Campaign and he was in Luneburg when the Regiment amalgamated with The North Staffordshire Regiment. He continued his service with 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment serving in Colchester and two tours in Kenya and Aden, by which time he had risen to the rank of Colour Sergeant. He left the Army in September 1968 to become a Publican.
BIRCHALL Gary Pte 24472369
Of Sherwood, Nottingham, on 6 September 2009 aged 78. He enlisted in June 1952 and served with the 1st Battalion as a bandsman. He was discharged in 1955 and took up employment with Nottingham City Council as a plumber and then worked for the YMCA as Assistant Secretary in the London area. He used his knowledge of music a number of years later when he volunteered to teach the Army Cadet Force band at the TA Centre, Chilwell.
BALDOCK Cyril Maj
Of Wolverhampton on 17 April 2010 aged 89. Cyril enlisted into 70th Battalion The Royal West Kent Regiment in June 1940. In July 1941, he joined 162 OCTU and was commissioned in October 1941. He served with 45 Reconnaissance Regiment in UK, India and Burma: as a young officer, Cyril volunteered for the newly formed Recce Corps in Burma and joined General Wingate’s Chindits. They used mules to transport equipment and supplies and Cyril once told a friend “We looked after the mules very carefully - they might be our next dinner”. He joined 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment in India in April 1944 as a Temporary Captain; he was posted to 16 Parachute Battalion soon afterwards and did not rejoin the Regiment until January 1947 when he joined the 2nd Battalion in Germany. After the amalgamation of the 38th and 80th, he served with the new 1st Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment in UK and Hong Kong as Adjutant and Company Commander. In 1952, he was posted to Kenya and Uganda for two years: he attended the Army Staff College and
112 October 2010
On 15 May 2009 aged 47. Gary served with 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.
Of Staveley, Derbyshire, on 27 May 2010 aged 69. He enlisted into 1st Bn The Sherwood Foresters in 1959 and saw active service in Malaya. He was discharged in 1965 and then transferred to the reserve until 1985. He took up employment at Brett Martin Plastics of Staveley and was there for 25 years. Graham was a member of Chesterfield Branch WFRA and collected for the British Legion Poppy Appeal in Chesterfield.
BEECH Harold (Harry) LCpl 13060438 BIRD Derek George “Dickie” Cpl 22708326
Of Arnold, Nottingham, on 5 November 2009 aged 92. He enlisted into the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps in August 1940 and was transferred to The Sherwood Foresters in June 1941 to serve with the 2nd Battalion in Palestine. He played Double Bass in the Band during his time with the Colours and he was discharged in August 1946. On leaving the Regiment, he became a hairdresser until retirement. Harry and his wife, May, worked as Steward and Stewardess at the Royal British Legion Club, Arnold, for 9_ years and they organised two Poppy Day Appeals. Harry served, also, as Treasurer and Honorary Secretary of the Branch.
Of Malvern on 30 April 2010 aged 75. Born in Malvern on 26 June 1934, he enlisted into The Worcestershire Regiment in 1953 and served with the Drums Platoon in the 1st Battalion in Norton Barracks in 1953, Bulford in 1954 and Iserlohn in 1955. He left the Army in 1956 and returned to the Building trade. He started a Pest Control business which became well established over 25 years and he ran a Pheasant Shoot for 30 years; his last shoot was on 1st February 2010 – the last day of the season.
The Mercian Eagle
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