Page 16 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 59

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Last Post

In September 1983 he was promoted 16-year-old he joined the Army as a boy
Lieutenant General as General Officer soldier and started his life in the Army
Commanding South East District Catering Corps. He then spent the next
headquartered in Aldershot. Shortly 39 years enjoying various postings, in
afterwards he was appointed KBE. different countries, being promoted as
In February 1986 Howlett was pro- he went before reaching full Colonel.
moted General and returned to Oslo He got to see the world and so did we;
as Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces the Army was his and ours.
Northern Europe, and he finally retired Dad was nothing if not a hard-worker
from the Army in April 1989. and one 39-year career was not enough
Howlett played cricket for the Army, Major Michael John Moore for him. In 1994 he left the Army after
the Combined Services and, in his youth, 26th December 2021 a successful career and became General
for Kent Second XI. He was president of Michael’s daughter Emma Kennedy kindly Manager of Clare Park Retirement
Army and Combined Services Cricket writes: Association, in Crondall, where he spent
and was a stalwart of the Stragglers of I’m very sorry to inform you that my the next 21 years. Every year, he made
Asia Cricket Club, also its president father passed away on 26th December Clare Park a little bit better and every
1989-93. He much enjoyed his mem- 2021. He enjoyed his time in the Army year, he became prouder of what he was
bership of MCC. Catering Corps and loved reading the achieving. He loved it there, and the res-
During a busy retirement Howlett newsletter. He started his working life idents and staff loved him too.
served as chairman of the Leonard in Aldershot in 1953 training students As you can probably imagine Mum
Cheshire Foundation (1990-95) and civilian chef instructors. In 1956 has received a lot of condolence mes-
and chairman and president of he became a Catering Officer and was sages over the last few weeks and in
the Regular Forces Employment posted to Cyprus where he was the those cards and letters people have taken
Association (1989-1997). He also Specialist Messing Officer at a 300-bed the time to write a little about Dad.
chaired the Services Sound and Vision military hospital. In 1961 he was posted I spent quite some time going through
Corporation and the Governors of to Beaconsfield and was promoted to them and have selected a few adjectives
Milton Abbey School in Dorset as well Major in 1964. In 1967 he commenced that were used to describe Dad. These
as being a Commissioner of the Royal a special project in Zambia setting up include:
Hospital Chelsea. a centralised catering service for some A lovely man, highly respected, well-
He was also vice chairman of the 5,000 Zambian Army soldiers. liked, a true gent, a wonderful man, a kind
lovely boss, calm, thoughtful, a special man,
Naval & Military Club, a Freeman of Stanley Parker
the City of London and a Liveryman of measured, very honourable, thoughtful,
the Worshipful Company of Cooks. David John Howard Penwarden sincere, dedicated, a much-loved figure,
Howlett and his wife Elizabeth greatly respected, truly exceptional.
bred Labradors and prize bantams and, Kenneth Traves – 13th July 2021 Not bad for a boy from Otley to have
although he described himself as a “very touched so many lives in so many differ-
ent ways. For us children (Sarah, Jason
small” racehorse owner, he had a passion
for the turf; he shot, and was a regular and myself) growing up, however he was
attender at regimental dinners, reunions just Dad, and what a Dad he was! He
always led by example and was a great
and charity events.
Lt General Sir Hew Pike, who role model, showing us from an early
commanded 3 Para during the age the right way to do things.
Of course, he was also a great hus-
Falklands War, said: “I have never met band to Mum Rosemary for nearly 60
anyone who did not want to explain years. He was her rock, as she was his and
how much they liked and admired this
I cannot imagine what Mum has been
remarkable man.” Colonel Gordon Wilkinson going through over the last few weeks.
Geoffrey Howlett married, in 1955, 15th December 1939 – 2nd February
Elizabeth, née Aspinal; she died in 2006 2022 But I do know that he would want us to
get on with life and not to mope around.
and he is survived by his son and two The following tribute is taken from the eulogy He was that kind of man; we all miss
daughters. given by Gordon’s eldest son Andrew Ed: him greatly. Dad would always say “if
Gordon was born in 1939 into a very
Major Gary Johnson proud, working-class family. Growing something is worth doing it’s worth doing
4th December 2021 up in Otley he had a good childhood, well’ so let’s all get together today and
take the opportunity to say goodbye to
Gary Minors – 22nd October 2021 but he knew that he wanted to get away him in a way that he deserves.
from Yorkshire and see the world. So, as a

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