This page is dedicated to the memory of our friends and comrades

PETER GEARY After a brave fight with cancer Pete passed away on 25.01.2012

ANTHONY LE DAIN (Skelo) 23832001, of 145 (Maiwand) CDO BTY R.A., later 29 CDO Reg. R.A., passed away in Melbourne, Australia on Monday 10 October 2011 after a 10-month battle with lung cancer, aged 69. A modest, unassuming, dedicated and helpful bloke, he will be missed by many. Lest we forget.

Regards,

Jan Schmoeger

janschmoeger@bigpond.com

LIEUTENANT CHARLES ROFFEYTragically killed Christmas day 1963 in road accident, age 20 in Johore Bahru Malaysia. Grave at Ulu Pandan Cemetery Singapore. Informed by 3845 Gnr Wilson I.F

RSM P.G.W. SMITH Sadly WO1 (RSM) (Peter) P.G.W. Smith who held the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major when 29 Commando Regiment t were in Singapore between 1968-1970 and shortly afterwards when returning to the United Kingdom, has died aged 80 in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 24 June, reports the July issue of "Gunner"..

Mr Smith had an RHA background which following in the footsteps of RSM O'Keefe who had come from 22 SAS meant his life was never going to be easy as some from that era may remember there were suggestions both 29 and 95 should have ball buttoned status, a bullshit image which didn't really match the style of a Commando Gunner.

But he he took it all in his stride and was a very fair RSM whose bark was worse than his bite particularly when for several months having to keep watch at a distance on the wild boys of 145 Battery - what great stories they can tell! - who were based away from the regiment at Selarang near Changi and a rebellious 20 Battery still adjusting to living with the Regiment after being brought back into the fold from their detachment in Poole.

I would imagine having Bunny Austin, Paddy Baker, Paddy Bryan and the other great and fun loving SNCOs living in the Sergeants Mess at Dieppe Barracks would have kept him a busy man as well. Let's face us, we junior ranks learned most of our bad habits from them.

Mr Smith I believe moved on to become RSM of 17 Training Regiment when leaving 29 at Woolwich where he had his own house nearby and then became a Quartermaster before leaving the Army and returning there when taking up an appointment as a retired officer with Central Volunteer Headquarters based in the RA Barracks.

When I was posted to the "Depot" and HQ DRA myself in 1979 I got to speak with and even see him occasionally and I must say he did have an amazing memory. particularly of what we junior ranks thought we had got away with, but he knew about,

Geordie Williams 431 ex 7Bty-148bty passed away no further detail details. Informed by Pete O'Toole

Brian Cunningham passed away on 2^nd October 2008 and was buried on 10^th October 2008 in Edinburgh. Brian Cunningham joined 29 straight from JLRRA in 1972 and served in 7 & HQ BTY, he served in the Falklands before joining an RA regiment in Germany in the late 80’s. He apparently died of a heart attack aged 53 years, he leaves behind two grown up children & Grandchildren. Informed by John (Mac) McGrath

Dave Playford REME VM Ex 7 Bty & 22 Died 22nd October 2008 he was 57. During his military career he received a BEM & MBE. Informed by Pete O'Toole

Ralph Warner Ex RSM 1973-1975 and PSAO of 289 Cdo Bty for many years, passed away on 22 May in Australia surrounded by his family. His funeral was on 26 May and was attended by Gus Morgan and Barney Turnball who live in Australia and represented the Regiment. A true gentleman and he will be missed by all those who knew him Our condolences to his wife Shiela and family.

Doug Scott 79Bty from 1967-1976 Doug passed away Monday 23rd May 2011 at "The Elms" care home, he had only been there since 18th May, (being moved from St Luke's thinking he had a bit longer, myself and Dave Kamara did manage to get him out on the Sunday 22nd May to a local pub for a drink and chat about old times. It did look as if it had perked him up a bit, I was with him and his family at the home when he passed away.

Sgt Pete Byng Sig Sgt 79 Bty I served with Pete in Mercers Troop JLRRA 1962-63 and he was nicknamed "Desperate Dan" due to his large frame and thick beard. He inspired me to volunteer for the Green Machine and not the Red one!! He was 79 Sigs Sgt in Malta 1972-74

Jim Cussell It is with great sadness that I report the passing on of a founder member of the Commando Gunners. Ex Chief Clerk of both 29 and 95 Commando Regiments Mr Jim Cussell, father of Dave. Jim lost his long battle with cancer today 3rd January 2011.

Paddy De Burgh Colonel Paddy was CO 95 Cdo Lt Regt RA from 1965 - 1968 during which time the gun battery's (7 (Sphinx) and 8 (Alma)) completed a tour in Sarawak, one gun battery participated in the Hong Kong riots in June 1967 and one gun battery was involved in the final withdrawal from Aden in November 1967. Having joined the Army at the age of 17, he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in May 1943 and in September 1944 parachuted into Arnhem as Staff Captain RA, HQ 1st Airborne Division. He was captured, employed by his captors as a medical orderly for some days, escaped, swam to safety across the Rhine and rejoined the survivors of the Division. The following year he participated in the liberation of Norway.
Post War he served in Palestine and with 3 Fd Regt RHA in Germany. In the early 1960s he commanded G (Mercer's Troop) Para Lt Bty RHA, 7 Para Lt Regt RHA in UK and Bahrain.
He came to the Commando Gunners from the School of Artillery where he was Chief Instructor, Young Officer's Wing.
He died at the age of 87 on 7 December 2010.

Mike Jackson
(95 Cdo Lt Regt RA 1964-1967)

Was in HQ Cdo Bty MT As a junior NCO (CO’s Driver). After the 1965 to 68 tour in Singapore Jimmy transferred to REME retiring as a WO 1. However he was always proud of his time with the commando gunners and attended many reunions.

Jimmy had cancer and passed away in 1992 leaving his wife Lorna and two daughters.

Connie Francis Ex 8 Bty & SAS This sad news has just been emailed in by Peter O'Toole More information needed please.

Just to let the regiment know, Pat (PJ) Wilson, Sgt, ex 8 Alma passed away on the 4th June 2010 after losing his battle with cancer, he moved to France to retire with Gill, but was diagnosed with liver cancer soon after his arrival in France.

It is our intention to have a wake and a small auction of some of PJ's stuff in Bridport, Dorset at his sisters (Danny's) house sometime in the near future, (middle of July) we would hope to raise some money for his cancer charity, everyone welcomed, notice of your intention to attend would be useful to aid catering.

Nige (Womble) Williams 7 Bty 95/29 Passed away Saturday 27 February 2010 after a short stay in hospital.

My apologies for this belated message. I'm so sorry to hear the sad news of one of the great characters of black 8 Bob Plews, Plewsy's loss will be felt by all those who served with him. His great sense of humour and wit could keep an everlasting smile on your face. R I P Rab Scott.

There a very few soldiers whom have passed through 29 Cdo Regt RA and whom have made an impact on the Regiment! and I sincerely believe you were one of them.

When I came to the Regiment in 75 and joined 79 Bty and was lucky enough to get onto the Ops you were there as a Driver/operator before coming an Op/Ack then onto BCs Ack and it was during that time that you showed your obvious flair for OP work.

Many OP Acks have come and gone but there were none as good as you! Your a ability get the target information, to adjustment on the ground, and achieve the aim was second none, nobody could do it any quicker or with any greater accuracy, your Quick Fire planning you always kept simple and no matter what spanners got thrown in you dealt with them effectively, your control, your allocation of targets and fire units, your grip over Ops during Regimental Fire Plans were second to none! and had no Teacher!!! There were no manuals, no guide lines, nothing was written down about the job. It was your Ability and yours alone.

I remember through the 70s and into the 80s when ever the OPs had to represent the Regt it was always an OP from 79 Bty, Puff range, invetron, any demonstrations, firing the last shoot on a Regimental Exercise, even opening the shooting on the Regt exercise to lay down the marker and the standard for the rest of the Regt, to taking a member of the royal family on Air Ops, to entering the UKLF OP competition and winning 3 times and coming what I think was a political 2^nd, all these thing were achieved whilst you were on the OPs in 79 Bty. I remember us having a loathing for laser shoots everyone else in the Regt loved them we thought they were just to easy!! you were the one who set the standard that we all strived to achieve.

I recall after the Falklands War we had a few discussion’s about various aspects of it and we came to the conclusion that it was a total waste of time, money, and resources that OP Officers be the only one’s to do an FACs course by the time they had come onto the OPs achieve a level of efficiency then attended an FAC course they were then leaving the Regt and off to another job! We having in the Regiment either none or little experienced FACs like what happened down south!

We concluded that we would lobby every Senior Officer the we came in contact with and put our case for OP Acks to be FAC trained as it provided continuity within the Regiment. I can say now Blodger that it is now the case and it happens taken some time but now the Regts OP Acks are now FAC trained. After the Falklands I attended my Advanced OP Acks course, I got top student and a recommendation for AIG, I put that largely down to the knowledge I gained from you.

I wonder when we were trying to “in effect change policy” what people thought about what we saying and thinking to themselves what do these J/NCOs know about this kind of thing, well I’ll say this Blodger when it came down to OP work you had forgotten more than what most of them ever knew.

So for these reasons I can firmly state you made a very big impact within 29 Cdo Regt RA and here is my recognition to you for that.

Blodger RIP, you were one in a million and I agree with Nic you taught us a lot, problem is we usually ended up in a whole heap of trouble while you were sprawled out in the "Three Barrels"

A massive character, RIP

Dave McGurk

Ray Herve HQ Bty Sigs in 95 Singapore 65-68 left and was a crane driver in SW Crane. Died around 2004

Pete Melnyk (late Bdr, 95 FOU and 148 Bty) passed away peacefully, 28 January 2010.

Stu Ford Died mid 1990's. Anyone with further information please forward to me at the usual email address.

Fred Magee lost his valiant struggle against cancer and passed away peacefully in hospital at 4am Monday the 9th March 2009.

John (Stevo) Stevens passed away (27/02/2009) after a short Fight with Cancer. Ex Kirkee and once the Landlord of the Masonic in Stoke, He was 34 Years Old.

Sgt Gus Maloney 8 Alma. Died prior to Singapore deployment 1965. Died in the dentist chair.

As I remember it Sgt Gus Maloney served with 145 (Maiwand) Cdo Lt Bty RA in Singapore. I believe he returned to the UK from Nee Soon Garrison in 1965 to have dental treatment. He was scared stiff of dentists. His nick name was "Tea Bags" as that was the first priority on any deployment. He was much respected and the manner of his demise was tragedy.

Captain Tom Sawyer KIA Afghanistan 14.01.2009 Please follow this link for a full report.

Lt Aaron Lewis KIA Afghanistan 15.12.2008. Follow this link to read local newspaper report:

Unit 'shocked' by officer's death

Below is a report sent in from the press association. Please note this is copyrighted

Lt Lewis Press Report

Names of members of 95 Regiment who were killed in a RTA on the Mandai Road going home from Nee Soon to Johore Bahru in 1965 were;

Bdr. Paddy Tate

Bdr. Paddy Tate, I remember Paddy well , I served with him in Singapore I was a gunner in 7 sphinx battery with him. He took me under his wing as a young gunner he was very kind and professional at his job .the RTA shock us all and I was one of the gunners who carried his coffin. A GREAT GUY WARM HEART .

ROGER MAIN ex 95 COMMANDO GUNNER.

L/Bdr Brian Couldron of 148 Bty [ex RN].

Yorky O'Neil training wing PTI

Sgt Elliot

Terry Philp.

I am sure (having been a Tp Comd in the Regt at the time), that one of those who died of injuries received in that terrible crash was the RHQ Tp Survey Sergeant – Sgt Elliot. His wife, who was with him in Singapore, was, I recall, an Intensive Care Nurse – so knew what the outcome was likely to be. A truly brave lady and he was an excellent SNCO.

Thanks

Mike Jackson

The lad who got killed in Singapore on the Mandai Road was ...... L/Bdr Brian Couldron of 148 Bty [ex RN].

Regards, Benny Benfield

[ex 148/20 Btys 1962 - 84]

If anyone has more information about the above please forward the details to me.

Gunner Smudger Smith, 79 Bty, killed in fall from wall of Mosta magazine whilst on guard during KP duties during Mintoff problem in Malta in 1972

Lt Pincher Martin. Resigned commission after service with 79 Bty in late 60´s early 70´s. Great guy, great pilot, he hired a light aircraft, buzzed his old office in Bond Street, flew under a few bridges on the Thames then flew to Lake District and piled himself and aircraft into the deck.

Bdr Des Nixon(148) died around 1991. He was on Capt McManners team that landed with the SBS at Fanning Head during the Falklands War.

Roger Wale died in late 1971. Roger was an Army and Gunner front row forward, a light heavy weight (LHW) boxer who would box LHW first then get back in the ring to box heavy weight, I never saw him beaten. He was the biggest regimental clerk you ever saw. Roger came to Aden with Black VIII in 1967. Between Pete Hobson, Jock MacMenamy they had the boxing booth on the Barbican sewn up. Roger was from Ratuma Fiji and joined the regiment from 34 Regiment with Nick Naico and Mick Sylevali (that is another story best told by Nick or Mick).

Niall Gover Published in The Times on 28/10/2008: Niall Peter Charles. Niall aged 41 years, Major (TA) 16 Regiment and 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in an aircraft accident 8th October. Deeply loved son of Peter and Maggie and partner to his loving Sharon and their two wonderful children Charlotte and Max. Niall will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. Funeral at Peterborough Crematorium (PE6 7JE) at 12.30pm, Tuesday 28th October. No flowers please, but any donations to â€˜Help for Heroes' c/o Fords of Oakham, 8 Church Street, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6AA. 01572 722 654.

Mick Argue Mick served with 79 from 66 - 68 and then went to Hereford and served everywhere from then on. He was reputed to be one the best Arabists the army had at the time and when he went to 3 Para in the early '80's, in the rank of Major, he won the Military Cross in The Falklands. Mick started his gunner life as a TARA and he will always be remembered as one real fit git. His obituary was in the Telegraph. Click here to see the obituary from the telegraph: Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Argue

George Laverty Ex 79 Bty Died Boxing day 1986 suddenly at home while serving in Germany. After leaving boys service in Nuneaton he came to 79 Battery in 1966 and, if I remember rightly, joined us just before we deployed to Bahrain and then on to Aden. George was a tough man and had a wicked sense of humour but was one of the best mates anyone could have. I'm sure he is still missed by all those that knew him. He left a wife and two daughters who I think now live in Newfoundland.

L/Bdr Gary Holman Ex 289 Bty passed away on the 26^th July 08 No further information at present.

Bdr Jim Dane died on 2^nd June 1966 on active service in Aden – his body was recovered in the north of the country and laid to rest in Aden – the first causality of 29 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery serving in Aden – Killed in action on the Yemen border acting as part of a Cut Off section got left behind and killed by the enemy. A Troop of 145 Bty were at that time deployed on decoy mission somewhere down the Dalah track and unable to assist. 2 Gun Batteries and 1 AO Battery – 79, 145 and 20.

Ewan McCardle GPO 8 Bty killed in an RTA in Otterburn during Regimental practice camp, late 80s?

Steve Peters 79 & 8 Bty died RTA in Norway not long after he left the regiment.

Phil Russell 79, but was a member of 7 BTY in Arbroath when he died mid 76,near Honiton on A303.

Big Karl (Griff) Griffiths Ex 145,79 and long time Guard commander in Citadel.

Bdr Aidy powell SAS, 7 Bty 148 Bty 7 RHA, killed in Kenya prep for Sierra Leone

Bdr Baz Wright 7 Bty and 49 Fld Regt, RTA on journey during posting to Depot Woolwich

David "Dickie" Bird Sergeant in the Commando Training wing from early 70's to 79 died July 23 02.

Jim actually died of an extremely rare form of cancer whilst on rear party in Poole - the majority of 148 were deployed in the Falklands at the time. Monday he went for Tests by the end of that week he had passed away in RNH Haslar. S Thomas

Bert Thompson (ex 145 Maiwand) Died on 2nd February, his funeral was on 14th February 2006.
the following was taken from the local paper sent in by Paddy Buckley Ex Black Eight:

THOMPSON - HERBERT (Ex Royal Artillery). February 2, 2006. Peacefully in hospital, aged 74 years and of Bryn Tirion, Lixwm and formerly of Waen-y-Brodlas, Brynford. Funeral Service will be held at St Michael's Church, Brynford on Tuesday February 14 at 1.15 p.m. followed by cremation at Colwyn Bay at 2.30 p.m.

Pete Bryant, CRS late 148 Bty and 95 FOU passed away on Wednesday 6 February 2008

Thanks to Mick Davies for sending in a photo of the memorial to the above, taken by Mick in Belize 2006

Cfn Dean Shams Drowned in a tragic accident about four weeks after the RTA in Belize in 1985

Paddy Mallinson 10th May 2007 buried at Brampton Abbots Church on the hill outside Ross on a sunny day 23rd May

WO2 Michael Smith Killed in Afghanistan on 8 March 2007 as a result of wounds received during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand province, whilst serving with 7 Cdo Bty RA, 29 Cdo Regt RA. Tributes to commando killed in base attack

Capt J A Philippson - Jim - on operations in Afghanistan. Jim served in the regiment (79 Bty) for 3 years as his first tour and left 29 for 7 Para RHA

Ray "Supers" Gorniki, Ex 145 & 8 Bty. Ray, our super chicken, will be missed by all who knew him, very very sad. Dave and Irene Woodhouse.

Chris Butcher ex 79 Bty. Killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq while carrying out security duties.

Nigel (Elvis) Morrell Ex 8 Bty died on 19/05/06 at around 1800 hrs in St Luke's hospice Plymouth

Peter Hobson REME who died suddenly on 5th April 2006 at home. 95 and 29 in 8 Alma 145 Maiwand and 7 Sphinx and LAD REME between 1965 and 1983.

Major Derek Dalrymple. last served in the Regiment as BK 7 Bty. Did the Falklands and was the oldest man to complete the "YOMP".

Alan Devine passed away on Saturday 18 June 2005 Alan (Andy) served with 7 Battery before moving to 8 Battery as TARA Sergeant

LBdr Will Priddy from Norwich, Norfolk was tragically Killed in an RTA en Route from Sennybridge to Larkhill on Mon 16 May 05

Major-General the Rev Ian Durie Was unfortunately killed while on a visit to Romania where he was involved in a fatal road accident on April 21 2005

James Thomas Moore. He joined up in 1961 and was enormously proud of being a 'gunner' in 29 Commando Regiment. His family would be very happy to hear from anyone who remembers him.
Tess Evans - tess_evans@hotmail.com

THIS IS BY NO MEANS A DEFINITIVE LIST, I TRULY APOLOGISE FOR ANY NAMES I HAVE MISSED FROM HERE.

IF YOU WISH A NAME TO BE ADDED TO THIS PAGE PLEASE SEND DETAILS TO ME ASAP AND I WILL PUT THEIR NAME ON THIS ROLL OF HONOUR.

ALSO IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE DETAILS i.e. DATES ETC OR WISH A PERSONAL MESSAGE ADDED FOR THE NAMES ABOVE PLEASE FORWARD THEM.