Page 18 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 63

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back to Aldershot where he worked as a I, Pat, a WRNS hands on sailing courses at Portsmouth.
training instructor, serving in this role from HMS Drake, This whilst he was a catering Manager
for over 20 years. met and then mar- at Whale Island and then HMS
During this time he ran the Military ried him. Posted Collingwood, working for Compass/
Display Team, rejoining the catering to Singapore for 2 Aramark.
side which enabled him to travel round years. Returned to He truly loved sailing and would
the country. His final posting was to Plymouth. In 1975 take either family or friends across the
Fulford Barracks in York, where he he was part of the channel to Cherbourg. In those days
settled with his wife Brenda and his team to enter and there was an advantage as Duty Free
children Stephen and Claire, before win the Army cooking competition. He made it worth while! We would pack
being demobbed in 1996, having spent 3 months in Kansas, USA on a up on Friday and take Gamma Kappa
reached the level of Captain. After his friendly exchange. Winters enhanced to Studland bay and moor up for the
army career, he became one of the York with 3-month exercises in Norway. weekend. Often with friends. You could
Minister Police for the next 10 years, Trying to cater for starving soldiers think it was the Med at times. Brilliant
becoming Head Policeman for the last on electric solid plate stoves that took memories.
4 years of his service. His family would ages to warm up and having to resort to However, in every life there is a dark
like to thank all of those who sent their petrol burners in the snow! It was here, cloud and for Tony it was a massive
condolences and attended the funeral that he first put skis on and enjoyed the heart attack. He was 54 and Poole hos-
experience. pital was great in bringing him through
The usual exercises to Malta and to the first setback. But it was followed
the Mediterranean on board naval ships. by 4 years of ill health. We had gone to
A short trip to Cyprus where he was in Spain to keep warm when we got the
charge of rationing UN troops during call from Papworth hospital to come
the peacekeeping on the island. for investigation. They put him on their
1976 sadly had to leave 29 and list and within 5 months he received his
as a Staff Sgt joined 5 Field Force in new heart.
Osnabruck. After 4 years was posted We owe so much to Royal Papworth
to Paderborn, 39 Heavy Regiment as Hospital as they gave him and us
WO2. He had a very sporty team of 22 years extra. We decided to upsticks,
chefs and they took part in Marathons moved to France, renovated completely
(Bielefeld) and skiing. Our family had a wreck of a farmhouse and altered our
increased with arrival of a son and a second house. Our social life was full, we
daughter. made many good friends there and food
Returned to UK to the Guards was the focus, BBQs, parties etc.
Depot at Pirbright. One day he was Our children married and in turn
approached by the catering officer, a each had a boy and a girl. So the grand-
Welsh Guardsman who had served in children know their grandfather.
the Falklands, to take an engraved drum We returned to Poole and settled for
table top to Clarence House to replace a our remaining years (2), close to family
Sgt Charles Spencer faulty one presented as a leaving gift to and friends.
3rd January 2024 the Equerry to HM the Queen Mother. We loved travelling. Throughout
They were invited to meet and to lunch Europe whilst in Germany. To Czech
Tommy Tucker with her! Republic, India, Croatia, Egypt, Israel,
19th April 2024 His last posting was as a WO1 in Spain, etc.
York with the Divisional team. This job But all good things come to an end.
John Watson took him all over the North East to dif- He was clearly not well, ambulance
1st January 2024 ferent units, regular and TA. to Royal Bournemouth but a pulmo-
We had in the meantime bought a nary embolism ended his life on 7th
Tony Worthington house in Poole. He still kept up running November 2023.
7th November 2023 but with our dog Danny for company, He gave us, his family, many
Tony joined the ACC in October 1963. up on the heath for hours. He loved memories. Of which the army and, in
Sent firstly to Borneo, he returned to board sailing. When he retired from particular, 29 Commando Regt played
UK with 29 Commando Regt, at the the Army he spent his gratuity on a such a big part.
Royal Citadel, Plymouth, where he won yacht. A 29ft Westerly, Gamma Kappa.
Provided by Patricia Worthington
his much-coveted green beret. He took courses in boatmanship and
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