Page 22 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 64

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Last Post

ACC Association – In Memorials/Obituaries
As you are aware, the Association includes the deaths of Obituary. Families are encouraged to provide an obituary for
members via its magazine, The Flaming Cauldron, which is inclusion in the Flaming Cauldron – format advice can be
published bi-annually (Summer and Winter edition). The sought from the Association Secretary.
Association can only publish members’ deaths if informed, and Support. The Association has a number of ACC Standards
I rely heavily on family and friends of the deceased to do so. and ACC Coffin drapes available should the family want such
I would be grateful if you could inform me as the Association accoutrements to recognise ACC/military service. These can
Secretary (secretary@accassocition.org) by providing: be ordered via the Association Secretary (secretary@accassoc-
• The name of the deceased ACC/RLC soldier/officer ition.org) – these can either be collected from the Association
office in Worthy Down, Winchester or sent via mail – all we
• Date of death and cause of death (if appropriate)
ask is that they are promptly returned post the service in order
• Funeral details.
to support other services and events. In addition, I can request
In Memorial / Publication. In addition to the obituary within for a bugler to play Last Post – this option is not a given and
the magazine, the Association can email the Association of relies on the availability of buglers in the area of the funeral.
members’ deaths if the family so wishes, either to announce Advice. Should you have any queries re the above then
the death or publicise the funeral details. Please request this please direct them to the Association Secretary (secretary@
service via the Association Secretary. accassocition.org).

WO2 Jim (Charlie) Charlesworth he left the army he was a very keen gar- On one of his ‘days off ’ he hitch-
23 August 2024 dener and a truly family man, a much hiked to Huddersfield, passed a sign at
Charlie served 22 years in the ACC loved husband, father and grandfather an Army Recruiting Office which asked,
reaching the rank of WO2. His ser- who will be greatly missed by his family. “are you good enough to be a soldier?”
vice consisted of time in Germany, Well, it turned out that Bruce was very
Hong Kong, Lyneham, Gambia and SSgt David Dobson much good enough and having been
Aldershot. Most of his career was spent 1st June 2024 offered various cap badges, selected
in Aldershot where he worked as a the Army Catering Corps, signing the
training instructor in the tower block, Lt Col Bruce Swift papers as ‘Violet’ Dyson, and starting a
then in the Field Catering area and also Dyson 40 year career which saw him rise from
at Group Catering. He was also a big 16th June 2024 a boy soldier chef to Lt Col. He thor-
part of the Sargent’s mess where he used oughly embraced Army life and enjoyed
Bruce was born to
to DJ the kids Christmas party. This was many outdoor activities, a good shot but,
Violet Swift and
a huge part of my childhood and I have by his own admission, not a great cook!
Hildred Dyson in the
lots of wonderful memories. Bruce married Anne, who survived
small village of Netherthong, some-
Other things that Charlie was him, in 1970; his first Son Bruce was
where between the Peak District and
known for was Corps shooting where born whilst serving in Singapore and
Yorkshire Dales. He described his early
he won champion shoot. Also he was a baby James followed three years later. His
life as a happy country boy exploring
keen Hockey player where he played for military career took him and the family
the hills, tickling trout, picking fruit
the Crops as a goalkeeper. I know that all over the world before settling as a
from the hedgerows and being fed tea
the ACC and my Dads career were his ‘softy southerner’ in Farnborough. After
in whichever village home he found
life and that he loved everything and retiring from the Army, which he much
himself in at the time. This rather idyl-
everyone who were a part of it. missed, Bruce became the Secretary of the
lic ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ situation
I would like to thank the Corps for ACC Association and devoted more time
ended suddenly when, aged just 10, his
making my dad’s life, long and won- to Freemasonry. He bought a small farm
father died and strangers descended on
derful. My family and myself would building in France and helped the local
the house to remove everything except
like to salute all serving members and community rebuild a Second World War
the kitchen sink.
Veterans for their outstanding service. Bailey Bridge which today sits alongside
A few years later he secured a place
RIP Charlie We Sustain its modern replacement. In a move typ-
at Penistone Grammar School but the
ical of the man, he gave up the French
miles on foot across the moors proved
WO2 William Henry Childs too much of a distraction and he was to house to a family of Ukrainian refugees.
7th June 2024 be found scouting across the countryside Bruce loved being a Grandpa but
gradually age began to weary him as
22617304 WO2 Childs William before changing back into his school
he spent more time looking after Anne
Henry enlisted 14/11/1960 discharged uniform and returning home at the end
who was unwell. As a consequence, he
10/08/1982 died on the 07/06/2024 of the day! It is of note that he had a
was able to spend less time with his
born in Mitcham, Surrey, he did many rather different view when his eldest
Army friends and his wider Masonic
tours including Maylaia, Northern Son, also called Bruce, was discovered
family, may he rest in peace.
Ireland also served in Germany. When playing the same trick many years later!
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