IN MEMORIAM  

Brigadier Rolph James, CBE

Forces Mail & Courier Chief who helped develop hundreds of talented rugby players

It was 50 years ago that Rolph met Charles Burton, the Fleet Street Sports Journalist and founder of Public School Wanderers Rugby Club.  A club that started in wartime to give servicemen, on leave, a game of rugby.  Under Rolph’s guidance and Presidency the club has become one of those recognised around the world for producing invitation fifteen and seven a side teams to take on the best.  The ethos being to team up young potential with well known players and to play open, running, entertaining rugby in the true spirit of the game.  Hundreds of well-known players around the world will mourn his passing and recall great games played in amazing spirit.  Rolph regularly selected the Major Stanley XVs to play Oxford University before the Varsity match.

Born in Fishguard on Christmas Day in 1930, Rolph Noel Richmond Perry James was educated at the local grammar School before joining the Telephone Manager’s Office.  He played rugby at school and later for Swansea.  He joined the Territorial Army in the Royal Signals and was in charge of the Swansea Detachment of 53 (Welsh) Division Signal Regiment.  In 1960 he transferred to the Regular Army joining the Royal Engineers Postal Service and moving to London.  This was panacea for Rolph as he could now focus on his new task whilst playing rugby for US Chatham and the Royal Engineers and keep the Wednesday matches of Public School Wanderers ticking along. He had married Cathleen Dollard from Carmarthen in 1954 and with their two daughters, Deborah and Rachel, set up home in Whetstone.

In a very short time this gregarious and generous officer was the Captain in charge of the British Forces Post Office Sorting Depot at Mill Hill where Army and Royal Air Force mails for overseas were handled.  In 1962 the processing of Royal Navy mails for ships at sea and overseas bases was transferred from the Civil Post Office to Mill Hill.  This integration of new destinations and the task of tracking all Naval vessels were handled impeccably thanks to Rolph’s exacting standards and excellent management.

Although he became Director of the Defence Postal & Courier Service, his happiest Army days were as Commandant (Colonel) and Commander TA at the Postal & Courier Depot at Mill Hill.  Appointed in 1979 he had command of the real estate at Inglis Barracks.  If ever a barracks was well used and shared with local charities, then his was better.  Each week some well-connected or well-placed visitor would arrive to see the operation and to enjoy a meal in the Officers’ Mess.  Rolph knew he would be in Command for the 1982 Centenary of the Service and he set about planning the event and assembling his team to deliver a memorable year for his unit and the community.  His edict for the year was to win the Army Cross Country, the Army Athletics, get the Freedom of the London Borough of Barnet for the Royal Engineers and, to top these challenges, to make certain that our Colonel in Chief (Her Majesty the Queen) would spend a wonderful day at the barracks.  Sure enough it all happened as planned, with just one extra test for him.  The Falklands War!  This meant huge extra amounts of post to be sorted and despatched to the South Atlantic for the Task Force.  Every edict was delivered, the service worked impeccably, and all involved experienced a truly memorable year.

Rolph is granted the Freedom of the City of London
L to R Tony Hartt (Proposer) Brig Don London, Rolph, Senior Rembrancer,Lt Col Doug Swanson (Seconder) Bill Cockburn, Director London Postal Region

RNRP was a character of huge strength, never to be defeated, always ready to help, never afraid to ask for help, ever encouraging, always challenging and ever with time for his family and his subordinates.  His energy and enthusiasm for the TA saw him encourage many young Post Office executives to join the TA to broaden their characters, to expand their leadership ability and to make lasting friendships with like-minded folks.  Thanks to this the TA Postal & Courier Group leadership eventually matched the Royal Mail structure with the Managing Director, the Colonel, and the Commanding Officers of the four Regiments senior managers or directors and so on.  The advantages and benefits were enormous and it was frequently quoted as the perfect model of a business supporting the TA.

His military career followed a normal path, except that every promotion saw him grasp at new ideas and opportunities.  His irrepressible energy, charisma, organising ability and passion for life saw him expand his influence as well as his many friendships.  He served with 19 Brigade and deployed to support the British Force in Zambia, Tanzania and the Congo following UDI in Rhodesia.  He left Zambia in 1966 on promotion to major for Middle East Headquarters in Aden where he also organised the airdrops of mail to the ships on the Beira Patrol.  A tour back in the MOD, lasting almost 5 years, and he moved SHAPE.  Two years later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel as Controller NATO Courier Services. 

With a burgeoning reputation as a commanding personality and an organiser he was given the task of establishing the new Postal & Courier Regiment in 1st British Corps in West Germany.  He cleverly chose Hannover as his Headquarters and deployed his innovation skills, his entrepreneurial ability and involved a few chums.  No one has ever set up a Regiment that not only ticked all the military, support and ethical demands, but did so at a profit!  He saw the Queen’s Silver Jubilee approach and identified a gap in a social need in the 30 plus garrisons of the Corps where he introduced a weekly lottery through his Forces Post Offices with the profits going to the Corps Commander’s Fund and the Regiment’s Fund.  For the Royal Event he called in the help of the famous artist Terrence Cuneo, himself a one time Royal Engineer.  The “Price of Freedom” painting was the product.  Sergeant Thomson of the Scots Guards surrounded by the vehicles, armour and equipment of the Corps on a 5’ x 4’ canvas.  Prints were sold and a philatelic souvenir cover produced.  The significant profit paid for the painting and contributed to military charities.  Before he left Hannover he entered a Partnership Pact with the local German Army Nachschubattalion1 – the first of its kind and a magnificent parade on a freezing March Sunday in Hannover.

Back to Mill Hill in 1978 as deputy before taking Command in 1979.  His first project with Terrence Cuneo was repeated several times and the Service now owns the largest private collection of Cuneo paintings in the world, some commercial and, all depicting the history of the Postal & Courier Service.  In August 1983 he was appointed Director Defence Postal & Courier Service and retired from the Army in 1986.  His network of friends and allies now stretched across all three Services and throughout the rugby world.  When the Service came under threat during his watch the Quartermaster General, of the day, had to admit that Rolph had more friends in high places in the MoD than he did himself!

Rolph was as Welsh as Welsh could be and an immensely proud person – proud of his family, his Nationality and his Service.  His Grandfather, Daniel James, had been the National Bard who wrote the words to Calon Lan (Pure heart) that is sung before every Welsh National rugby match.  So, it was also natural that he would take an interest in the Welsh Societies in London.  In his time he was President of the London Pembrokeshire Society, Chairman and Founder of Welsh Exiles (Rugby), Chairman of London Welsh Rugby Football Club and Chairman of Trustees of the Welsh School in London.  In later life he was a Committee Member of the Welsh Rugby Union.

In retirement he worked for the Post Office as head of Security and Contingency Planning and became the Postal & Courier member on the NATO Communications Committee.  After this he was Chair of De Horsey Champagne Co Ltd, Chair of Brecon Associates and President of SSAFA Middlesex.

Appointed a Freeman of the City of London in 1984 and Livery in the Worshipful Company of Barber-Surgeons, he was awarded the CBE in 1985.  He was Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Royal Engineers from 1986-1991.  He also served as County President of the Aden Veterans for Gloucestershire and was President of the Worcestershire British Legion and the Area Poppy Organiser, where income increased significantly under his stewardship. 

He died on 13 June 2010 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Thank you to Doug Swanson (June 2010)

WO11 Harry Kirk

Harry joined the Postal & Courier Service on 10th May1949 and served until 10th November 1971. Sadly he passed away on 27th February 2008 and his funeral was held in Hull on the 6th March 2008. It was well attended by all his family, friends, ex WRAC, ex RE comrades and standard bearers from the area.

Harry served in Korea, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Tripoli, Bahrain, Germany and UK

He was well known as a kind generous gentleman and is sadly missed by all, especially his loving wife Mavis and his family which he thought the world of.

Thank you to Margaret Grant on behalf of Mrs Mavis Kirk (Dec 2009)

Major Eric Worthington

Major (Retd) Eric Worthington passed away in early March 2005. Major Worthington was the DADPCC Land Forces Gulf in the late sixties. He left the army and went to live in Shropshire where he was involved with the horsey people and became a showing judge. Eric was one of the judges at last years Olympia International Horse Show in London - one of Britain's top equestrian events famous for its Christmas flavour. He has judged at all the top shows and the Horse of the Year Show. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday 18 April at 1430hrs at Hanmer Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Bob Mckeever writes: I only knew him for a short time that was when I returned to the depot from Aden 1966, I was taking over one of the sections (SO2).at the end of a shift the Maj, Sgt Quinn and I fancied a drink, well at the end of a late shift and middle of the week both messes were shut and what did the Maj do? he went to the officers mess and brought over the night tray was left out for them??? The three of us had a good drink.he was a good man/officer I was late getting back to my quarter.

Tom Compson writes: I drove him around when he was OC in Aden in 1967 before he left to go to Bahrein He was a good officer and many a time I had to collect him and Capt Disney from a bar on Malla Straight. He also had a program called Carosel he presented on forces radio out there.

Thank you to Jim Steer and Bob Williams(April 2004)

WOI Dixie Green

Dixie Green died after a short illness, following kidney & liver failure, on the island of Malta where he had lived since discharge in the mid 1990s.

He had served as Cheif Clerk in Northern Ireland (22 PC Sqn RE) and latterly as WO1 in charge at BFPO Munster in 13 PC Squadron 1 Postal & Courier Regiment Royal Engineers and finally I guess he wore the Royal Logistics Corps cap badge.

A technician of the highest calibre, he was always willing to pass on knowledge to his subordinates and peers alike.

A larger than life postal character, he will be remembered by most for his hospitality and culinary skills "in the field". If anyone has a photograph we could add to this message, or any anecdote(s), please feel free to do so.

His brother Stan writes: In Memory of WO1 Alick (Dixie) Green RE, joined as a Junior Soldier Dover 1965 played in their Band served Germany-Malta-Mill Hill-NI Lisborn-Hong Kong-Gibraltar-Germany. Died in Malta 18-2-05 aged 56 after a short illness leaves Loving Wife Maria and two sons Kristian and Emanuel..... Kindly remember him in your prayers..... May he rest in peace

Thank you to Lou Lister and Stan Green (April 2004)

Sgt John Grant

WO1 Eric Parry BEM

WO1 (RSM) Fred Simpson RE

WO1 Frederick (Fred) Simpson died 28th Jan 1987 only three years after coming out of the army. He served 22 years in RE (PCS). He served in Rheindaheln, Northern Ireland, Batus, Cyprus and Mill Hill every now and again. He leaves a widow Phyllis who was also in the WRAC (Postal) from 1961 to 1963.

Thank you to Phyllis Simpson (Dec 2003)

WO1 (RSM) Ernie Tomlin RE (1942-2003)

Ernie was born on 5 Mar 1942 just outside of Cwmbran, Gwent and at the age of two years the family moved to London, hence the reason for Ernie's dialect (Half cockney). On completion of his schooldays he was employed with the General Post Office as counter clerk for two years prior to his joining the army in 1960.

Ernie's first posting on completion of basic military and trade training was with 370 PURE, BFPO 151 (Adelaide, S Australia) which is where I first met him, and from then until his discharge in 1982 he served in Singapore, Belize, Cyprus, Malta, Bahrain, Germany and Mill Hill but not necessarily in that order. He completed his service in 1982 and was discharged in Munster, Germany in the rank of WO1 (RSM).

Ernie was not really built for sporting activities but one at which he did excel was cricket. He was awarded his army cap on several occasions and whilst at Mill Hill he played for the local village team. On one occasion he claimed ten wickets for nine runs!!! No mean achievement by any standards.

Ernie's other loves include photography, travel, gardening - especially roses and painting. He was an accomplished artist and for a time he made a living from it. I can just picture him on the south bank of the River Seine in Paris!!!

He took his discharge in Germany and for a while worked in the furniture removal business (Forces furniture etc back to the UK). He then went to work in the travel agency business. After his divorce for the second time he returned to England and was again employed in the travel business in the South of England before moving back to his roots in Cwmbran. It didn't take him long to settle in and was soon known as E. T. for obvious reasons.

His health deteriorated in his last years suffering from diabetes, cancer and other ailments but he bore them without complaint and was very grateful for the support given to him by his carers in his last few months.

Ernie was reconciled with his families before he passed on and met his grandchildren and he will be sorely missed by all concerned.

I was pleased to have served with Ernie in many different places and was pleased to have been his friend, as I am sure were many others.

Rest in peace Ernie and no doubt we will meet again upstairs. God Bless.

See Ernies pictures

Thank you to Pat Elliott (May 2003)

WO II (SSM) Jim Wlison

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of (WO2) Jim Wilson on Sunday 23rd March 2003. His funeral was held on Thursday 27th March 2003. Our thoughts are with his family and wife Avril.

Lt Col Howard Hughes (1955-2002)

Howard Hughes , an Ulsterman, raconteur, musician and author was a man who lightened the world and as he would say, was never short of "good crack". He joined Postal from the Royal Army Education Corps in the early 1980's. He served in BAOR, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, the Directorate, The Gulf War and lastly as CO BFPO London. While in the Directorate as the Staff Captain he did much to organise the interviewing of WW2 Postal veterans for the writing of Mailshot the official history of the Service. It was during that time he also became very friendly with the late Terence Cuneo, the artist and arranged for Terence to execute the painting of Post Call - Guards Armoured Division 1944. In a booklet called The Cuneo Connection he wrote of the occasion; "In 1986 I took him [Cuneo] down to Bovington in Dorest to visit the Tank Museum in order to make sketches for the Forces Postal Service's last commision. This was to show the RE PS in support of the Guards Armoured Division during the advance though the Low Countries in 1944 and Cuneo needed to make working drawings of the vehicles used at the time. He worked hard all that morning but at lunch time I managed to prise him away for a bite to eat. Knowing the area well I decided to take him to the 'Frampton Arms', a charming little pub situated beside a railway crossing and which I knew housed dozens of prints of Cuneo's train paintings. It was a roguish thing to do but I refrained from telling him that his fame had preceded him to this sleepy little corner of rural Dorset. His reaction on seeing them, I guessed, would be worth witnessing. On entering the pub he looked around with interest, his eyes sweeping the walls of pictures. 'Aren't they wonderful?' he said with feeling and then suddenly the penny dropped - 'My God', he cried, 'they're all mine!' Needless to say the landlord, a life long Cuneo fan, was quite delighted!" - a story that is so typical of Howard and a small example of his glorious sense of fun.

Early this year (2002) he published his first book, On Laughter-Silvered Wings, a biography of his friend Captain Paddy Kirkwood, a wartime RAF pilot. Just before he passed away he had completed his history of the Gulf War (1990) PCS operations and was raising money to get it published.

His generosity as a person, which he extended to both the Service and his friends, was well illustrated by his involvement in raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and the starting of the annual Cuneo Memorial Dinner at Mill Hill as a money raising vehicle for that purpose. In June 2001 he was instrumental in organising the national tour of the Queen's Philatelic Collection as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The display also contained a set of philatelic covers given to the Queen, by the Service, on the occasion of our Centenary in 1982.

Howard Hughes died of a brain haemorrhage on Wednesday 20 November 2002. He was taken ill on Tuesday night and passed away on Wednesday morning (20 Nov). He leaves his wife Angie and their three children, Alex, Rory and Edward. He was much like by all ranks and as some of the tributes on the Postal websites said: "he was a kind and gentle man who touched and influenced the lives of all who knew him and will be greatly missed by all of us who were privileged to know him".

Read Howard's recollections of 9/11

Thank you to Simon Fenwick (Dec 2002)

Staff Sergeant Maggie Johnson (1951-2002)

Maggie Johnson, a life lived to the full, one that touched many and above all else a life that was, by any measure, well lived.

Although seriously ill with breast cancer in 1997; her determination and commitment for others was undiminished and was aptly demonstrated by her range of charity work, including a special event at her home for Breast cancer: This is in addition to working for her local community choir, performing at parties, weddings and the BBC's live "perfect day" in support of other charities. Her energy, zeal and enthusiasm were a true example to all around her, and she was without doubt one of life's extraordinary people.

Maggie joined the TA in 1984, and she was in the first female intake to PCS specialist TA. She became a PCS Branch member in 1998.

Thank you to Post Notes and Lt Col Phillip Whittaker (V).

Corporal Kevin Pharoah

Kevin, who joined the Corps in June 1979 and served with the Postal & Courier Services until his discharge in October 1993, died on 30^th September 2001 at the age of 49.

Kevin's funeral has held at Saltwell Crematorium in Gateshead with over 100 of his colleagues with many 'Posties' in attendence. Brian Harris arranged with the local British Legion for a Union Flag to be drapped over the coffin along with a wreath from the legion.

The Last Post was played and Kevin was given a sending off as a soldier should.

Thank you to The Posthorn - issue 9 (Mar 2002)

Warrant Officer Class I John Peters

John Peters passed away on 14^th May 2001 at Kings Mill Hospital, Mansfield. He joined the Army in 1964 and was enlisted into the Blackwatch, prior to becoming a Postal & Courier Operator. He had also served in the Royal Military Police

Prior to his retirement from the Army, his final appointment was the RSM of PCD RE from 1984-87

He will be remembered by many people as being an exceptional RSM, colleague and friend as well as being an outstanding athlete and all round sportsman.

Thank you to Post Notes

Major (PEO) J R (Bob) Connelly BEM

It is with deep regret and much sadness that we report the death of Major Bob Connelly, who passed away on Christmas Eve, aged 73. Originally from Stirling, Bob (who was known as Jack to his family and friends outside the military) moved to Greenford as a young boy when his father had to relocate jobs within the company for whom he worked -the Carron Iron Foundry, which was the largest producer of post office letter boxes.

Bob joined the Army in 1946 and enlisted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, his father's Regiment. He was compulsorily transferred to the Royal Engineers (Postal and Courier Services) whilst serving in Palestine in 1948.

Bob was married in 1951 to Rita whom he had met in Greenford before joining the Army. They travelled to many places together and had tours in Dusseldorf, Berlin, Malta and finally Mill Hill from 1978-83. Bob also had an unaccompanied tour of duty in the Honduras in1963/64. He achieved the prestige post of RSM at HPD RE prior to commissioning.

During the celebrations and activities to mark the centenary of PCS at Mill Hill in 1982, Bob and Rita were presented to HM The Queen. Bob was MTO during this time at Mill Hill and finished his regular service there.

On leaving the Army Bob was successful in securing an RO appointment in Stirling and following his final retirement moved to Glenrothes, Fife in 1990.

During his career, Bob made many friends and won great respect for his professionalism and dedication. He was a popular man with a keen intellect, dry sense of humour and a trademark beaming smile which used to light up his face.

Bob and Rita celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last November. Rita has the support of their three children, Kevin, Lorraine and Michael, along with six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral was at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Saturday 5 January 2002. Lt Col (Retd) Graham Meacher MBE attended to represent the Postal and Courier Services.

Thank you to Cleft Stick (Summer 2002)

Warrant Officer Class 2 Alf Manship [23981396]

Alf passed away on the 1st Day of December 2001 after a long Illness. Jane, his wife writes...

Bravely born, he is at last at peace with our son and brother Sapper Alfie Manship who died whilst on duty with the Royal Engineers in Germany at the age of 20 yrs in 1992.

Alf Joined the Royal Engineers 1963, when the old Nissan Huts were still in play, we spent many a happy time at the Railroad Watering Hole. Alf served until 1987, giving a total of 25 years to the Postal and Courier Service, serving I may add, under both Col. Westcot, and Major Lockwood in Gibraltar and in Bulford, and Dusseldorf 3 PC Regt RE, he did his Medal Stint in Ireland, and after 22 years also obtained his LS&GC.

When Alf became Sergeant, in the year of 1969, he was the youngest sergeant in the Postal Service Global.

He had many friends and was a well respected soldier, and Major, was a friend of his also. The saddest part of it all, is Alf delivered Alf Junior, when I decided to deliver before the ambulance arrived, now the same child he delivered and who passed on before him, was I am sure there to greet his Dad, when he took his first breath on the other side.

He leaves a son PC1042 Kevin Alfred Manship, and daughter Kerrie-Dawn Manship.

Thank you to Jan Milligan (Mar 2002)

Lt Col Laurie Watkins (1937-2002)

Laurie Watkins was the sporting postman and soldier who lived for the moment and was invariably the centre of any fun. Always ready to party and have a good time, Laurie was such a positive and inspirational personality that whatever he said seemed to make people feel better. He loved his sport, playing centre half in the famous Postal Depot football team of the early sixties. His main sporting love was cricket and he kept wicket for many years for many cricket teams including BAOR and Rheindahlen Garrison - which he captained. He even joined the MCC. Eventually golf, shared with Julie, became his only active sport. But he also had a serious side and he led the way in the Postal Service by going to the Army Staff College and establishing a reputation for his postal colleagues as serious and widely employable military officers.

Laurence Edwin Watkins was born on 23 November 1937 in Winchester. Leaving school aged 16 he joined the Post Office Savings Bank in London. In 1955, when he was called up for his National Service, he joined the Royal Artillery, was commissioned and served most of his two years in Malta. When he returned to the Savings Bank life seemed to have played a poor trick on him. He was bored and frustrated having had such an enjoyable time in the Army. An advert in the Post Office Circular in 1959 asking for volunteers to join the Royal Engineers Postal Service was his salvation. Laurie was delighted to volunteer. Once back in uniform he stepped forward again - this time to try parachute selection. He passed and took command of 16 Parachute Brigade Postal Unit RE in 1961, based at Mill Hill, but travelling to Aldershot on a regular basis to parachute and to work with the Brigade.

At this time several groups of young managers from the Post Office joined the Royal Engineers Postal Service as officers. Most had no military experience so Laurie was tasked with turning them into officers in a very short time. These disparate, and sometimes desperate, young men were taught the rudiments of military life from behaviour to leadership and from drill to just wearing a uniform correctly. Fun, comradeship and a huge desire to do well for this terrific character that cared that no one was ever embarrassed in this new and strange environment underpinned the long days. Even the awful bits seemed okay and Laurie entertained at work, at play and in the mess. He especially enjoyed trying to get all to join him in his favourite mess trick of doing a dive forward roll over the upright piano and landing on the very hard floor! He certainly inspired us all and earned our deep and lasting gratitude.

Laurie's life changed forever on New Years Eve 1962 - he met Julie at a party and that was him! They married in October the next year and lived happily together ever after. Not that being married calmed him, it just meant he could include Julie in the fun and had a safe base for parties and to entertain his pals. He decided to get serious about his Army career and go to Staff College. No postal officer had done this before so he had to canvass a recommendation from his bosses and then devote himself to many months of very tough study. He passed the exam and went to Staff College in 1970 - to experience more hard work and learning! His first job after Staff College was in the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and he did a second in Headquarters Northern Army Group some three years later. He also served in Postal and Courier Units - with Second Division in Osnabruck, 8 Command Postal and Courier Depot in Dusseldorf and was the CO of the Unit at SHAPE.

In 1980 Laurie decided to leave the Army and settle in the UK so he could live with Julie in their own house. He took a job near Heathrow working for Purolator, the Canadian Courier Company, as their UK Operations Director. A couple of years later, after gaining promotion to Managing Director Europe, fate worked against him when the company was taken over. He left and considered offers to work with several blue chip companies. But Laurie decided to take a braver step and in 1989 set up his own company - HBT Consultants Ltd. He soon established himself and was recognised as an international postal expert, travelling the world working with many postal administrations and big-name firms.

In February 1999 Laurie first became ill with a large growth on his leg. He had to face up to the very real prospect of losing the leg. Fortunately a surgeon was able to remove the growth. In all this awful time he remained positive, having fun times and working around the world. When he lost all his hair he quipped that he had a modern hairstyle - for the first time in his life. But cancer was in his body and even the radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments could not help. Eventually the Marsden Hospital admitted what Laurie never could nor would - that he could not be cured. Julie had him brought home on 21 February 2002 to nurse him for whatever time he had left. He was so pleased and comforted to be home with Julie - but the next day his life ran out. Julie and their children Alastair and Lisa survive Laurie.

Thank you to Doug Swanson (Mar 2002)

Colonel Joe Holmes (1918-2001)

Colonel Joe Holmes, a Cumbrian who joined the Post Office on leaving school aged 14 and saw war service as a soldier and officer in the Royal Army Service Corps before returning to his peacetime job at Penrith Post Office. In the meantime he served in England, France, Belgium, Germany and North Africa and was one of the few survivors when his ship - HMS Strathallen - was sunk on route to North Africa. His early hobby of fell climbing surely ingrained in him that toughness and sense of fairness that pervaded all he did and which many were lucky enough to experience. There was no better supporter of a fair and just cause or case.

Joseph William Holmes was born on 5 February 1918 and at the age of 14 he started his postal career as a telegram boy at the Post Office in Penrith. He progressed via Postal and Telegraph Officer to Overseer (Manager) and in April 1940, despite being in a reserved occupation, he joined the Army in the RASC and served with Motor Transport Units and Petroleum Depots. He made rapid progress through the ranks becoming a CQMS in December 1942. It was on his way to take up his CQMS appointment in North Africa that his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean by an U boat on 12 December 1942. In 1943 Joe was selected to attend OCTU and was commissioned in the RASC on 14 February 1944. On discharge in 1946 he returned to his Post Office job in Penrith.

In October 1950 Joe rejoined the Army as a Short Service Officer in the Royal Engineers Postal Service. It was whilst serving in the HQ BAOR Directorate in July 1954 that he met Hedi who worked in Engineer Branch there. The HQ in those days was in Bad Oeynhausen. They moved with the HQ to the purpose build town and Headquarters building in Rheindahlen in February 1955. The romance flourished and Joe and Hedi were married on 8 November 1957 at Chelsea Registry Office. Their best man was Col "Tubby" Reading and their wedding breakfast was held in our Officers Mess in Cadogan Gardens with the lunch at Simpson's in The Strand.

Many will have fond memories of socialising with Joe. In Rheindahlen he enjoyed the magnificent Officers Club or the Im Fuch's Bau - for mouth watering grilled chicken - or presiding over a table of his officers in Onkle Gustav's where he especially enjoyed a dish of muscles accompanied by the tasty German Pils followed by a Paddy whiskey or two. He was ever the excellent host who was also our boss and chief supporter. Being in his company was inevitably a great pleasure. Joe always told you how it was with no frills nor half-truths. He was an officer of some style accompanied by his attractive and ever smart Hedi. He liked to travel in comfort so was to be seen at the wheel of one of his fine cars such as his Daimler or the Jaguar.

Joe was one of the group who endured many years of uncertainty serving on a short service commission, giving their all to the service, but getting no security of tenure nor pension rights in return. On 6 April 1960 his loyalty and value were recognised and he was granted a Regular Commission. His service in the Royal Engineers Postal Service took him to London, Germany, Aden, Egypt and Tripoli. In 1970 he was appointed the first Colonel Commandant at Mill Hill. After this he was Deputy Director in HQ BAOR. His final posting was as Deputy Director in the MoD before retiring in February 1978.

In retirement Joe and Hedi lived in Ilkley and enjoyed nothing better than to lunch in one of Yorkshire's fine pubs either together or with a group of friends. Joe spent many years in less than the best of health - he had a kidney removed in 1967 and open-heart surgery in 1984 - but neither did he ever grumble nor leave a party early - he certainly had stamina and courage. He enjoyed the horses and most other sports and in his latter years, when he lost his sight, he valued his music - playing his broad selection of CDs. Even when he was blind and restricted in what he could do he never complained - just told you how it was and focused on the good things he could still do. He died suddenly and unexpectedly on 5 March 2001, aged 83. Joe is survived by Hedi and their three sons Michael, Jeffrey and John

Thank you to Doug Swanson (Mar 2002)

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