Page 13 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 54

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Last Post

as Staff Sgt running the catering in the after he had left the army. His wife sadly Falkland Islands in 1983, returning to
household of the Commander-in-Chief died 25 years ago. After leaving the the UK on SS Uganda. He was a proud
BAOR. All of this, prior to taking on the ACC he went on to being an extremely member of the Army Catering Corps
senior cook role at 22nd SAS Regiment. talented chef with his speciality being and entered many catering competitions
Very varied and at times challenging wedding cakes. The ACC was a very throughout his career including one
postings but one element that seems to special part of my father’s life because he when he was a nineteen year old private
have remained and commented on was always spoke highly of those early days whilst serving at 38 Engineer Regiment
his interest in fishing. literally until the day he passed away on in Ripon. He maintained his military
Much could be written about each the 17th May 2019. Kindly provided by links and, as a Retired Officer, he took
of his postings, there must be stories daughter Elaine Lilley. up the position of Admin Officer at
that have been told in many a WO’s 20 Transport Squadron RLC at Regent’s
& Sergeants’ and Officers’ Mess that Park in 2000 - as well as being 2IC for
featured the exploits and successes of 508 Squadron, Territorial Army at 151
John Brumfitt. None of this would’ve Regiment RLC in Croydon. In 2014 he
happened if he had not taken the went on to serve with the Army Cadet
momentous step and the challenge in Force, Terry was so full of enthusiasm
becoming one of the first of the ACC and energy for life.
boy soldiers in that unique intake in He had so much to offer that even
March 1947. From then on, the rest as after his formal retirement at 65 he
they say, ‘is history’. continued to support the cadets in
their activities at Longmoor, where he
Terence Lionel George (Terry) Hall freely gave his time and the benefit of
Terry Hall was remembered fondly his expertise to support the staff and
by his family, friends and many col- provide guidance to young cadets. As
leagues at his funeral on Friday 20th well as assisting cadets in attaining the
September 2019 following his sudden Duke of Edinburgh Award, Terry also
and unexpected passing. I am grateful organised the summer adventurous
to his friend Pete Marsh for sharing training camp and roller skiing training
his eulogy, much of which is repro- in preparation for coaching nine cadets
duced below. Very few of us really know through their Nordic Skiing Certificate.
someone until they have departed this He led by example and became a trusted
life and, for me, Terry was no different. mentor, not least because of his quali-
He clearly enjoyed a full and active ties of being a good listener, remaining
life following his retirement from the polite and never having an unkind word
Leonard F Clarke was born on the Army with a life-long interest in athlet- for anyone.
26th October 1926 and went into ics and skiing. He also found the time to be
the Army six months before his 18th Terry was born into a military an active member of the UK Anti-
birthday in June 1944. He was asked family in Portsmouth in 1953 and had Doping Committee for the British
if he wanted to go on a catering course four younger sisters, Linda, Valerie Biathalon Union and had a strong
as the Army Catering Corps had just (who, sadly is no longer with us), Ruth passion for this work and the athletes
been created which he did with a cou- and Leslie. His father served in the
ple of friends. He passed all the exams Royal Navy. He grew up at Scratchface
with distinction, firstly working in the Lane in Bedhampton and went to the
kitchens and then went on to work in Boys’ School, Churchers in Petersfield
the Officers’ Mess in Telford, Maidstone where the enthusiasm for all sports he
and several other places, which all had inherited from his father’s love of
brought him fond memories and won- athletics was nurtured.
derful stories he told all his family. Terry joined the Army Catering
In 1945 an Irish Army Officer came Corps in 1969 at the age of 16 and
in to his camp from the Far East and retired with the rank of Captain in
dad asked if he had any young ladies in 1999 after 30 years service. During this
Ireland he could write to. He wrote for time, the majority of his postings were
two years to the girl that was to become to Germany and he completed several
his wife when she came over to England Operatonal Tours including The Sudan,
in 1947. He then married in June 1948 four tours in Northern Ireland and The

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