The Association held a Memorial Service on the 2nd of October 2021, to remember those members who sadly passed away during the Covid 19 lockdown period. Not all had been victims of the illness, many had died from natural causes and various other health issues.
The day started with a memorial Service in the Minster, with the Regimental Branches marching in their Standards, under the command of Captain John Hogg (Ret’d). A group of Regimental Veterans, from the Korean War then took their seats. Regimental Sniper Joe Bailes brought his own, a wheelchair, pushed by Mr Philip Kim, a representative from the South Korean Embassy, who has been assisting Ken Keld get his book translated into Korean and published in South Korea.
Music at the Minster was provided by the Elland Silver Youth Band, they did a very good rendition of the Regimental March ‘The Wellesley’. Drummers from the Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers played the last post, following the reading of the names of those depareted, by Major David Harrop (Ret’d). After the service the Drummers played a victory beating, in front of the Regimental Memorial at the Woolshops. followed by Ilkley Moor Bah’t at, which was loudly sang by the Regimental veterans watching the display, and applauded by all around.
MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT WHO PASSED AWAY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
AND REMEMBERED IN THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
Jack Baker – Died: 17 June 2021 – Korean Veteran, National Serviceman. Wounded in the Battle of the Hook. Worked as a Hospital porter in Bradford.
Nick Bagguley TD – Died: 2021 – Commissioned 1963 from the ranks into the Hallamshires. On disbandment of the York and Lancs served with 1 Yorkshire Volunteers in Sheffield (OC D Coy), 3 Yorkshire Volunteers in Huddersfield (OC HQ Coy) in ’83 and also 4 Yorkshire Volunteers.
Jim Briston – Died: 03 March 2020 – Enlisted into the York and Lancs. On their disbandment joined the Dukes, Served Hong Kong through to Catterick 1980 – 82. Served in all three rifle Coys including numerous NI tours and Section Commander in Cyprus in ‘76.
David Cole – Died: 24 April 2021 – Son of Alderman Cole, Mayor of Huddersfield when DWR granted Freedom. After farming in Rhodesia he returned to Huddersfield to establish a tobacco wholesalers. Joined TA (West Riding Bn DWR) in 1970s. After leaving TA remained a keen supporter of Huddersfield Army Veterans.
Robert (Bob) Duncan – Died: 2021 – Pl Comd with 1/7DWR in Normandy where he was wounded at the Battle of Caen after D-Day. On recovery posted to SE Asia. Retired as Capt to become a dentist and moved to live in the Seychelles and then Thailand on retirement. As a D Day veteran awarded French Legion d’Honneur on 70th Anniversary of D Day.
John (Pronto) Evans – Died: 08 November 2020 – Joined 1DWR in Hong Kong serving with the battalion through to Catterick 1981. Most of his career spent in the signal platoon hence his nickname – Pronto. Also served as Signals SNCO with 6UDR.
Brian C T Faithfull – Died: 26 September 2020 – Son of Lieutenant Colonel Charles (Bull) Faithfull who led the 2nd Battalion on the long retreat from the Sittang Bridge to India in WW2. Followed his elder brother Charles into the Regiment as a National Service Officer (1956-1958). Joined 1DWR in Palace Barracks, Belfast. On leaving spent time as a tea planter in Ceylon then India. Subsequently moved to, and settled in, Victoria, Australia.
Robert (Bob) Frear – Died: May 2021 – Served Osnabruck and Hong Kong through to Minden and Catterick. Well remembered Mortar platoon stalwart, Finished as CQMS Hook.
Paul Fryett – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran – D Company on the Hook which took the brunt of the Chinese assault. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the Green Howards prior to Korea.
Ronald Gair – Died: March 2021 – Korean Veteran. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers prior to Korea. 10 Plt D Coy on the Hook.
Bill Galvin – Died: 26 June 2021 – Korean Veteran – B Company at the Hook. Halifax born and bred.
John Greenway CBE – Died: 09 May 2021 – Commissioned into 1DWR A Coy Comd in Hong Kong and first tour of NI in 1971. CO in Aldershott, Cyprus and Minden 1975 – 1977. Rugby 1st XV including the team that beat Ulster in 1959. Accomplished athlete. Retired in the rank of Brigadier after serving a full career. President of the London Branch of the Regimental Association and editor of the Iron Duke 1997 – 2006.
Terry Hands – Died: Mar 2021 – Korean Veteran. A Company on the Hook. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the West Yorkshire Regiment prior to Korea.
Terry Hartley – Died: 2021 – Served in Cyprus in the 1957 tour and Section Comd, 5 Pl, B Coy in the 1971 NI tour.
John Heppenstall TD – Died: 15 March 2020 – Served as a regular in the RAPC. Paymaster for 3 Yorkshire Volunteers in Huddersfield. Subsequently Drill Hall Trustee and member of 5DWR ODC.
Douglas Hopewell – Died:- 12 September 2021 – No details available.
Arthur Howarth – Died: 10 April 2020 – Korean Veteran. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the GHs prior to Korea and was at the Battle of the Hook. He served in the Regiment until 1971.
Geoff Hunter – Died: 27 July 2020 – Born and bred in Halifax. Enlisted in 1963 and joined 1DWR in Osnabruck. Later Sgt Instr at the Junior Infantry Battalion, in Oswestry. His final posting was Bulford in 1986 retiring as CSM Hook. Rugby 1st XV including Japan tour in 1969. After retiring worked for Calderdale Council.
Dennis Husband MM – Died: March 2021 – Korean Veteran. Alma Company on the Hook. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the East Yorkshire Regiment prior to Korea. Awarded a Military Medal for his actions at the Hook where as a member of a Standing Patrol beyond the front line they suffered heavy casualties in the artillery barrage before the Chinese attack. They then joined the remnants of another section in the trenches where he held off an attack on their trench with a bren gun. When the trench collapsed, leaving just a small hole in the roof, he threw grenades through the roof to hold back further attacksuntil the Chinese were pushed off the position back by a counter-attack. They remained imprisoned in their buried bunker till morning.
Peter Hutton – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran. A Company on the Hook. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the East Yorks prior to Korea.
Keith (“The Padre”) Johnson – Died 2021 – Joined in Colchester. Section Comd in Osnabruck ’65 – 68 and in Somme Coy in HK ‘68 – ‘70.
George Kemp – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran. MT Platoon
Fred Kenny – Died: January 2021 – Korean Veteran. C Company on the Hook. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the York and Lancs prior to Korea.
Raymond Kimpton – Died: July 2021 – Korean Veteran. B Company on the Hook. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the York and Lancs prior to Korea.
Barry Maidens – Died: 15 March 2020 – Korean Veteran. National Service soldier. 8PLt C Coy on the Hook.
James Mate – Died: 2020 – Korean Veteran
Anthony McNickle – Died: December 2020 – Korean Veteran.
Peter Mitchell OBE – Died: 23 January 2021 – Commissioned into 1DWR 1952. Plt Comd in Korea at the Hook. OC Anti-Tank Pl in Gibraltar. Coy Comd in Cyprus in EOKA campaign. CO 1DWR 1972 – 1975 in Ballykelly and Aldershot. Awarded OBE. Accomplished sportsman especially at cricket (bowler) representing 1DWR and Berkshire XIs. Retired in the rank of Colonel.
Sir Tom Moore – Died: 02 February 2021 – Born and raised in Keighley. Trained as an engineer. Enlisted into DWR at start of WW2. Selected for officer training and commissioned int 9DWR which converted to armour. Served in India and Burma. After WW2 resumed his career in engineering. Knighted by the Queen for his fundraising (£34M) for the NHS during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Dick Mundell OBE – Died: 05 June 2021 – Commissioned 1958. CO 1979 – 1982 in Aldershot and Minden including two NI tours. Commanded 6 Airmobile Bde in Germany. Col of Regt 1990 -1999. Captain of the Rugby XV that won the Army Cup in 1965 and 1966 and played in the team that beat Ulster 1959. After retiring as Colonel, he became Chairman of Museum Trustees overseeing refurbishment of the museum.
John O’Donnell – Died: 20 July 2020 – Joined 1DWR in Colchester 1959. Served full 22 years leaving in 1981. Instructor at RMA Sandhurst 1969 – 1972. Much of his career in 1DWR was in the Signals Platoon finishing as Pl WO2. Final posting PSI for 3 Yorkshire Volunteers in Rotherham. Returned to Halifax after leaving the Army.
David Peckover – Died: 09 May 2021 – Learned to play the bugle with the Bradford Boys Brigade. National Service 1956 – 1958. Won Prize for best recruit. Halifax Depot as recruit trainer. Returned to family plumbing business. Remained lifelong member of Regimental Association, frequently called on to play bugle at Regimental events and funerals and on battlefield tours.
Frederick Rawson – Died: 12 January 2021 – From Sowerby Bridge National Service Officer 1954 – 1956. Served in Gibraltar. Subsequent career as Civil Engineer.
Gerald Reddington – Died: 17 June 2020 – National Service Officer. Commissioned into 1DWR in Gibraltar June 1954 to serve alongside his elder brother. On completion of NS worked in the city and joined 7DWR as TA Officer. Deeply committed Christian working with charities for the homeless. Ordained at 45 and full time Priest at 51.
Alan Rhodes – Died: May 2020 – Korean Veteran.
Paul (Rossco) Ross – Died: 24 August 2021 – Served 1979 – 89. A Company and then many years in the Anti-Tanks. Was also a PTI for a period. Keen cross country runner at which he represented the battalion.
Jack Scroby – Died: 25 April 2020 – Halifax born and bred. Played professional rugby League for Bradford Norther before joining 1DWR for National service 1958 – 1960 in NI. Stalwart of a highly successful 1DWR 1st XV. On discharge Joined Halifax RLC continuing with DWR TA. His story features in the DWR Museum.
Alan Sharkey – Died: June 2020 – National Service 1959 – 61. Trained at Yorkshire Brigade Depot Strensall. Served Colchester and Kenya. Returned to plumbing after his service. Moved to South Africa for several years before returning to Halifax.
David (Stugy) Sullivan – Died: 2021 – Served Gillingham 1968, HK, Catterick, Ballykelly, Aldershot and Minden. Much of the time in the mortar platoon then MT with a stint as Regimental Butcher.
Nigel Albert (Spud) Taylor – Died: 19 May 2021 – Served in Aldershot 1975 and Minden where he was in the Anti-tanks. Well known for his regular observation about the shortcomings of those who didn’t have the privilege of coming from Yorkshire.
Chris Tattersall – Died: 17 October 2020 – Commissioned into the Royal Artillery TA 1966. Subsequently rebadged to infantry, joining 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Volunteers. OC B Coy in Rotherham. CO 3 Yorkshire Volunteers in Huddersfield 1981 – 1983. Member of the 5 DWR ODC and President of the Yorkshire Volunteers Regimental Association.
Brian Thwaites – Died: 5 August 2021 – Served 9 years – Hong Kong, Singapore, Ballykelly NI.
Alan (Bluey) Thackeray – Died: 21 January 2021 – Joined in Cyprus 1967 serving through to Catterick in 1981. Rugby 1st XV.
Mike Tinsley – Died: 26 October 2020 – Commissioned into 1DWR 1983 and served to 1994. Gibraltar to Tern Hill. Pl Comd Corunna Coy, JIB Ouston, Ops officer in Palace Barracks, Belfast. Rugby 1st XV.
George Tully – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers prior to Korea. Cpl in 12 Pl, D Coy on the Hook which took the brunt of the Chinese assault. Then Gibraltar and Regimental Depot in 1954 from where he left the Army.
John Wilson – Died: 02 March 2020 – Served Aldershot 1975-1977, to Palace Barracks, Belfast 1986-1988. Primarily C Coy then Cpl (driver training i9nstructor) in MT. From Halifax.
Allen Wood – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran.
Ian Wood – Died: 2021 – Korean Veteran, D Company on the Hook which took the brunt of the Chinese assault. Joined 1DWR in 1952 in Minden from the Green Howards prior to Korea.
Steve Barry (Ted) Woods – Died: 24 April 2021 – Joined Burma Coy, 1 DWR in Minden. He was in the COP Pl in Belfast then back to Burma (6Pl). Moved to Somme Coy in Catterick for the South Armagh tour then Anti-Tank Pl. He left the Army at the end of the Gibraltar .
The information on those who have died has come to the Association through many sources.
We have done our best to gather what we can to reflect something of their contribution to the Regiment.
Sadly in a few instances source information was very brief.
