Page 17 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 54

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Last Post

served with the Parachute Regt, Royal I kept in touch with him over the
Artillery, BMH Dhekelia and other subsequent years and when, in 1994,
units. He was commissioned in either I returned to what had by that time
1984/5 and then served in the ACC become Napier University to join the
Apprentices College, as Catering Officer staff, he went out of his way to make
11 Sig Regt and his last post was ACO me particularly welcome and to help me
HQ 49 Bde, Chilwell. On retirement he come to terms with some of the basics
opened very successful Italian Pizzeria of what has since transpired to be a very
in Sheffield for some years until he happy and successful second career in
succumbed to the dreadful Alzheimer’s teaching that continues to this day. I thus
disease. Editor: Thanks to Jimmy Knowles feel that I have effectively followed in
for this information. his footsteps and shall always hold him
central to my professional happiness and
John Turner. It is with great sadness I success throughout my working life. Corps at the Memorial Service of our
request that The Flaming Cauldron be Alex served in the Corps from 1948 last Colonel Commandant, General
no longer sent as my husband died on to 1973 in a wide variety of locations Sir John Wilsey GCB CBE DL at
14th July 2016 following a short battle and roles both at home and overseas Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. The Corps
with cancer. He was always proud to of including Malaya (1953), BAOR (1954) was well represented with Brigadier
been part of the ACC and the RLC. I and Cyprus (1956-59). Rising to the Barrie Atkinson, Brigadier & Mrs
would appreciate it if something could rank of WO1, he spent the last seven Rodney Giles, and our penultimate
be put into The Last Post section so that years of his career at HQ Scotland, prior Colonel Commandant, General Sir
others who knew him will know he has to embarking upon his second career in Geoffrey Howlett also in attendance.
died. If it is possible to have something higher education that stretched to 1995. The magnificent Abbey was full to
in the Last post please email me its In retirement, Alex happily contin- capacity, around 800 people reflecting
content or send a copy of the publica- ued to live in Kirkliston, prior to moving the high esteem in which General Sir

tion to me. Kind regards, Paula Turner. to Perth to be closer to his loving and John was held. General Wilsey took
Editor: Thank you for letting me and our supporting daughters following the his responsibilities to our Corps very
member know about John, I will be pleased untimely loss of his wife Maisie in 2008. seriously and those Chefs who met him
to send you a copy of this edition. The family always maintained the tradi- in the field, on operations, adventure
tion of spending every summer at their training in Germany or in
caravan at Achmelvic in Wester Ross, a unit kitchen will testify
a place that Alex and Maisie had first to his great understanding
fallen in love with forty five years previ- of the importance of a
ously. It was thus fitting that he passed well trained military chef
away there, suddenly but peacefully, just in the maintenance of a
a few weeks short of his ninetieth birth- soldier’s fighting ability.
day, surrounded by his family. At the reception
Alex was a fine man, blessed with afterwards in Sherborne School
an intelligent and thoughtful mind and I had the opportunity to convey to Lady
great skills at his hands. He made an Lizzie, his widow, the gratitude of the
enormous contribution to the devel- entire Corps for his guidance, wisdom
Alex Watson remembered by Michael
opment and careers of many young and concern during the final years of the
Herriott. It is with deep regret that, upon
people over the years, not least myself. ACC. As was said of him: “His was a
behalf of his family, I announce that Alex
Many shall always remember his great life well lived”, and all members of the
sadly passed away on 6th July 2019. I had
knowledge and extensive experience, Army Catering Corps were honoured to
reason to be particularly grateful to Alex
his wonderful natural sense of humour have been a part of that life.
for, between 1974 and 1977, whilst I was
and his quiet and caring nature. I count Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Shepherd
one of his students at the then Napier
myself fortunate to have known him
College in Edinburgh, he encouraged,
and lament his passing. Ronald Wilson sadly passed away in
and ultimately persuaded, me to join the
Titchfield Hampshire on 4th September
Corps as an Officer. That was a decision General Sir John Wilsey, GCB, CBE
2019 at the age of 84
that I have never regretted for I went on Representative Colonel Commandant
to happily serve for a total of twenty five ACC – April 1989-April 1993
Pte Alan Wright, a National Service
years in the Regulars and Reserves, all On Tuesday 26th November 2019 the
ACC chef from 1952 – 1954, sadly
ultimately attributable to Alex’s shrewd Chairman of the ACC Association was
passed away in September 2019
foresight, wisdom and encouragement. proud to represent the Army Catering
SECRETARY@ACCASSOCIATION.ORG | WWW.ACCASSOCIATION.ORG PAGE 17