Page 16 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 60

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Last Post

Paul Sewards In 1965 he attended Mons Officer In February 1984, he attended
November 2022 Cadet training centre for a 6-month Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE
course. Following a successful comple- from the Queen.
tion of the course, he was commissioned In 1987 he was appointed
to the rank of Captain serving as a Commanding Officer (CO) of Depot &
platoon commander at the ACC’s Depot Trg Bn. ACC at St Omer Barracks. He
& Trg Bn. became the only Commanding Officer
In 1966 he left Aldershot for JTR in Corps history to be enlisted as a
Rhyl as specialist messing officer. During national serviceman, gain promotion
this time as manager his unit team won through the ranks, and get commis-
Army football’s Apprentice Cup Final in sioned to eventually command the unit
Aldershot against the ACC side. he first reported to in September 1955.
In 1968 he returned to Hong Kong In 1991, John took early retirement
as the Brigade Catering Officer. His from the Army and was appointed
love of the Walkathon struck again, and Senior Catering Officer to Dumfries
Patsy was dragged along, this time 22 and Galloway Regional Council and was
Lt Col John Smith MBE miles! He passed his Captain to Major given the responsibility of emergency
19 May 1937 – 6 July 2022 exam and subsequently returned to the planning for the catering personnel
John Smith was born in Great Bardfield ACC Depot & Trg Bn, on this occasion, involved in the foot and mouth outbreak.
in Suffolk to a family of millers and as Company Commander. On retirement from the Council, he
farmers. Sadly, his father died when he This was followed in 1973 by his had moved from Hampshire to Cumbria
was only three. appointment as the Senior Instructing where he enjoyed gardening, watching
John worked hard at school and Officer at the Army School of Catering, cricket, and visiting the local pub.
excelled in most sports. On leaving St. Omer. As a result of the numbers attending
school he worked in a grocer shop until In 1976, he accepted the position of the funeral service including the major-
September 1955 when he was called up catering advisor for South East District ity of the Rockcliffe’s residents who had
for National Service. H.Q. got to know the family well since they
He was allocated to the Army Whilst doing this job he had the moved into the village, the church was
Catering Corps. After training, he was opportunity to be working with and full. Some mourners had to stand out-
posted to the British Military Hospital under the direction of General Jim side so all those present were able to take
in Hong Kong. In those days, the jour- Wilson. He was President of the Army part in the service and thanksgiving.
ney took 3 weeks by troopship. F.A. and regular football correspondent John’s genuine, sincere, sporting
He represented B.M.H. Hong Kong for the Sunday Times newspaper. personality, management skills and hon-
and the RAMC in a variety of sports General Wilson observed and was esty were evident by observing the very
where he eventually found he was com- impressed by John’s passion, ability as diverse congregation, combined service
petitive, enjoyed and had a passion for a manager and motivator. As a result, sportsmen, friends and family who had
race walking. He was awarded a gold John was appointed British Army travelled some distance to attend the
medal in the Hong Kong Walkathon, Football Manager and a short time later funeral, pay their respects and say a final
a distance of 42 miles in Army issue he had the added responsibility of the goodbye.
ammunition boots! Combined Services FC manager’s job He is and will be, missed by many.
In 1958 John was promoted directly incorporated. Our thoughts are with his family.
from private to corporal. He subse- He was later offered the post as Head Buried at St Mary’s Church,
quently signed up to become a regular of New Zealand’s Military Catering Rockcliffe, Cumbria, 29th July 2022.
soldier and was then posted to BMH Services but circumstances and family J.T. & P.B.
Colchester in 1960. It was here where commitments, resulted in him being
he met Patsy, a dental nurse, who was to unable to take the position. Roy Spurgen
become his wife of 60+ years. Later that year (1980) he was posted 1 September 2021
In 1962 on promotion to Sergeant to HQ Scotland with an outstanding
he was posted to HQ Berlin Brigade team including Major (QM) Colin Alan Staples
December 2021
located in the Olympic stadium. John Crawford (ACC) and WO1 Dick
played football for Olympia 39 and Murzel and WO1 Rick Taylor.
played in the Olympic stadium. He was In 1982 John was advised of promo-
promoted to WO2 (SQMS) and was tion to Lt Colonel and posted to HQ
then recommended for a commission. UKLF Tidworth.

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