The following Obituaries for surnames beginning with "H" have appeared in the Green Howards "Gazette", or have been notified to the Green Howards.

---

 

The following obituary was published in the April 2002 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Joe Hall

Mr Norman Ward writes:

Sadly we have to report the death of another member, Mr Joe Hall, who died suddenly on Tuesday 9th October. Joe was a good member of the Branch. Like most of us he attended all Regimental functions. Deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and family at this very sad occasion.

Joe served in France and Belgium in the 2nd World War and was in the thick of the fighting all the way to Dunkirk. Unfortunately, he was badly wounded in the neck and taken prisoner where he remained until the end of the war.

Again it was a very good turn out from the branch which was appreciated by his wife and family. The Standard was carried by Ray Gibbon.

---

 

The following obituary was published in the December 2001 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Richard Hall

Mr Bill Short writes:

It is with regret that I have to report the death of Richard Hall of Redcar who died in hospital on Friday 13th of July 2001.

He joined D Company, 4th Battalion The Green Howards in March 1935. He joined the Intelligence Section and was promoted Corporal in May 1939 and Lance Sergeant in July 1939.

Called up on the Ist September 1939 he was promoted to WO Class III in October. After training the Battalion was sent to France in January 1940 as part of 150th Brigade, 50 Division. In May he was given No 7 Platoon A Company and with the rest of the Division moved into Belgium. During the withdrawal to Dunkirk he was wounded and evacuated back to England on the last hospital ship out of Dunkirk. On discharge from hospital he was posted to Richmond as Depot Sergeant Major.

In September he was posted back to the 4th Battalion guarding the South coast and after training and reorganising was posted to the Middle East in Apri11941. After a time in Cyprus and Palestine he was sent to Egypt in December 1941 and then to Libya in January 1942 where in June he was captured at the Gazala line. He spent the rest of the war as a POW first in Italy and then in Germany in Stalag IVB. Released by the Russians in April 1945 he returned to England in May 1945 where he was demobilised in September 1945.

After the war he set up a Painting and Decorating business in Redcar and then opened a DIY shop in Saltburn. He became a JP and later a senior Magistrate. He also ran the Redcar Boys Brigade for many years.

In recent years he has been a keen member of The Green Howards Association at Redcar making several trips to Normandy with other Branch members. His funeral was well attended with the church packed with his many friends. A Guard of Honour was formed by members of the Green Howards Association from Redcar and Guisborough branches.

Our sympathy goes to his wife Joan and daughter Janet.

 

Leslie Thomas Hassard

Mr Ben Gunn writes:
It is with great regret that I record the passing of another old comrade, 21023745 Pte Leslie Thomas Hassard (Tom).

Tom passed away at the start of the Richmond Sunday parade which he so wanted to attend.   Tom, as he was known in the 1st Bn, served in the Sudan, Egypt and Malaya.   He joined the regiment in 1948. Whilst in Egypt in 1949, together with Frank Guest and Jackie Charlton, he represented the Army Boxing Team versus the RAP MELF which the Army won.   Also in Malaya he boxed for and helped train the battalion boxing team in 1951 when they won the FARELF boxing final.

He was a very popular man within the battalion and he was able to attend the Malayan Reunion at York two years ago where he looked after those who were guests and had lost members of their family in the campaign, a very kind and gentle man.   After his demob for the rest of his working life he was a milkman and won the Milkman of the Year award in the 1960s which earned him a holiday in Switzerland.

The funeral was attended by the Regimental Secretary and others of the Regiment and in excess of 100 relatives and friends.   To his two daughters, Lynne and June, and his partner Marjorie, we send our deepest sympathy.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Haynes

The Regimental Secretary writes:
Henry Haynes died on the 16th April aged 83 in Moreton in Marsh.

Henry was commissioned into the Regiment in 1940 after brief other rank service with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.   He served most of his war in south east Asia and was appointed MBE for his operational services on the staff.   At the end of the war he was sent to Sumatra and Java to help round up alleged Japanese war criminals.

Henry was born in Malaya as his father was there with the Colonial Service.  He was educated at Bedford School and on leaving he became articled to a firm of solicitors in Birmingham.   After the war he returned to his legal studies and also served in the TA.   Henry was active in charity work becoming Vice President of the Council for the Protection of Rural England and his local Royal British Legion.   He retired to Moreton in 1982 but his wife died soon after the move but he remained and became a well known and respected member of the community.   He moved into a Residential Home two years ago and was a regular correspondent with RHQ.

We offer our condolences to daughter Susanna and son Philip.

---

Dick Heap

Mr Norman Ward, Hon Sec, Newcastle Branch, writes:

Dick Heap died in his sleep on 25 April 2003 aged 84 years.

Dick attended all Branch meetings in his younger days and never failed to accompany the rest of the members on all Regimental occasions. He was one of the old stalwarts who kept the Branch going. He was very proud of his Regimental service having served in many hot spots during the 2nd World War.

Dick had not been well during the past few years and spent his last months confined to a home, however, he still made a point of sending his regards to all when visited by Ernie Wearmouth.

---

Ex-RSM Colin Helmn MM

Major J R Chapman MBE writes:

Ex-RSM Colin Helmn MM died on 31 July 2003 after a long battle with cancer and was cremated at the Darlington Crematorium on 5 August 2003. Pall bearers were provided by the WOs' and Sgts' Mess of the 1st Battalion under the direction of W01 (RSM) P Robinson. Lieutenant Colonel T G Hodgetts MBE gave the address to over 150 members of the Regiment, family and friends. The following are some of the highlights from this address:

"Colin was born in Morcambe 72 years ago, the son of a builder. He joined The Green Howards when he was 17 years old. He won the Military Medal during service in Malaya. Colin made sergeant at 21 years of age and became the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion The Green Howards in 1967. During his service he married Sheila and together they had three sons, Nigel, Roger and Richard. Colin left the service after being the RSM of the Depot in Strensall, York in 1973. When, tragically Sheila died in 1977, the family was distraught. They had been a most happy clan travelling to, and living in, many countries.

A second career had started but gained momentum when he met and married Irene. As publicans and as managers of a caravan park on the Continent, these two happy extroverts, along with Irene's son Michael, made the jobs easy.

I mentioned his Military Medal. For the benefit of those who would not be familiar with it, I would like to try and illustrate this rare award. firstly, it is not given lightly. It is an award to recognize not only bravery, but also the skills of a soldier during active service conditions. Sometimes it is for an individual incident, sometimes it's for a number
of incidents.

The Battalion was deployed against terrorists in the Malayan Emergency from 1949-1952. They had a cracking good record. They won praise from many sources. I have only questioned and read of their exploits with admiration. I have to warn you though that anyone asking a Green Howard Malayan Veteran for more details should be prepared to spend a lot of money on beer.

Colin's deeds were such that a painting of him was commissioned. A postcard was then produced by the Regiment and used extensively. An extract from his citation printed on the rear of the card reads:

" Corporal Colin Helmn saw action in the Malayan Emergency (1949 - 52) with Support Company, 1st Battalion. In 1952 he was commanding a section of the Anti Tank Platoon in jungle operations. In an action on the edge of the Chikus Forest Reserve he lay in wait with an ambush group for several hours. When three terrorists approached he allowed the leading man to come within two paces of his hiding place before opening fire and killed the first two outright. The third was subsequently wounded and captured. Corporal Helmn's kills were the 99th and 100th by The Green Howards in their three-year tour."

Colin was indeed a soldier's soldier, a great shot, smart and very fit. Having said that he did upset quite a few people, mainly officers (but that is what they are there for). Colin was not a "yes" man. When he was made RSM he became one of the first of a new breed of Regimental Sergeant Majors - discipline yet, but coupled with good common sense. His man management qualities could be summed up by telling someone to go to hell so that they enjoyed the trip!

I'm sure you will all agree with me when I say Colin was a soldier's soldier and a man's man. Younger people these days use the word "top" - like top job, top bird etc. Here we have a top soldier, a top husband and a top dad and granddad and above all a top man. We know he will find his way down that last jungle track to the big barracks in the sky.

Thanks Colin for all you have given us. God Bless old pal.

Our sympathy goes to Irene, Nigel, Roger and Richard and their families.

---

 

Vincent Peter Higgins

Mr Tom Heron writes:
Regretfully I have to inform you of the death, on 5th March 2001, off 22774915 Vincent Peter Higgins, of 56 Holm Court, Salford, Manchester M6 5FN.   He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Branch of the Association, which was represented at his funeral.   He served between 1952 and 1955 with the 2nd Battalion in Barnard Castle, Egypt and Cyprus as a Corporal in A Company. Vince had suffered various ailments for some considerable time, during which he had lived alone and virtually housebound.   Whilst he had not wanted to receive Branch visitors in person, those members who had kept in touch by telephone would agree that despite his ailments Vince never moaned.   He maintained his usual cheerful and chirpy manner to the end.   1st Battalion members will recall that Vince's brother, Dennis 'Ginger' Higgins holds the dubious distinction of being the first Green Howard to be killed in Malaya as a result of terrorist action.   'Ginger' died on 22 October 1949.   As soon as Vince was 17 years of age in 1951, he had enlisted as a regular soldier in the hope of eventually serving in Malaya.   He was not to realise this aim.   He was, however one of the first soldiers into our newly formed 2nd Battalion.   Our sympathies lie with Vince's family.

  The following obituary was published in the April 2003 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Major J Hodgson

Brigadier Maurice Atherton writes:

It was with great sadness that I learned from RHQ that John Hodgson had died on 2nd December 2002.

Between 1967 and 1969, when I was commanding the 1st Battalion in Colchester, John Hodgson was my Families
Officer - an important appointment in normal times, but it assumed a far greater significance when we were ordered to provide an enlarged unaccompanied Company for Belize, to help the civilian authorities. This commitment meant a very considerable increase in John's workload.

Despite being a diabetic, he went about his business in his usual manner - quietly, conscientiously and with a gentle sense of humour, qualities that were greatly admired throughout the battalion, and particularly by the separated families. His sense of duty was such that occasionally he became so absorbed in the problems in hand that he forgot to pay attention to his own needs - allowing his blood sugar level to drop - and had to be 'rescued' by Miki, his wife, and taken home.

John was a tremendous help to us all during this somewhat frustrating period, and will long be remembered as a very good, wise and selfless officer.

Colonel Richard Weare writes:
We have said farewell to an outstanding officer. John Hodgson was imperturbable no matter what the crisis. Generous of spirit and with a wry sense of humour, he was a highly competent soldier from whom young subalterns learned much. Nothing was left to chance. A good trainer of soldiers and a leader of the highest order. He was also an outstanding administrator.

Commissioned in 1943 as a Short Service Officer, John served in India, Malaya and with the 13th Battalion King's African Rifles. He was later Adjutant 4th/5th Green Howards. He was afflicted with diabetes which rendered his already sparse figure leaner still. Despite attempts by succeeding COs to obtain a Regular Commission for John, the MOD steadfastly refused to grant him one. It suited their purposes to keep extending his SSC.

Probably the first officer in the army to be appointed a Battalion Families' Officer in 1961, there were subsequently many, many young families who had reason to be grateful to John for sorting out their accommodation needs wherever he could until married quarters could be provided. Forty years ago in Germany, as more and more young soldiers joined an all Regular Army, they brought their wives with them and had to be accommodated, often in one room in a boarding house. John worked tirelessly to minimise the hardships of these disadvantaged families.

John married Miki in 1948 and they had three girls. John hailed from Richmond but on retirement from the army they lived in Sussex where he took on a job with the Ambulance Service for the next 17 years. John died aged 78 on 2nd December 2002 in St Richard's Hospital, Chichester with his family around him. To them we extend our deep sympathy and, perhaps knowing that we share their loss, it will prove a comfort to them.

Captain Leslie Smith writes:
It was with deep sorrow when Miki told me John had died. I first met John when he was at the Depot and I was at Barnard Castle during the reforming of the 2nd Battalion. He was awaiting reply regarding the extension of his Commission. Shortly after we served together in Graz, Austria and then proceeded to Minden in West Germany.

When finally we became civilians, John and Miki spent a few days with us in Cirencester where we reminisced about our years in the Regiment.

John was a man who combined virtues that are usually thought to be opposites; both witty and serious he was totally loyal and his integrity was never in doubt, nor did he utter an unkind word about any other person. I have never met a more conscientious officer who was admired by all who served with him.

Colonel Wally Pryke writes:
It was very sad to hear of John Hodgson's tragic death after the serious illness which he had fought so bravely to resist.

I got to know John quite well when we served together many years back in the 1st Battalion in Hong Kong, Strensall and Iserlohn, Germany. Later, in our retired years we met fairly regularly at the informal meetings of retired officers from the south of England in a delightful village pub near Petersfield, Hampshire, well organised by the late Pat Saulet.

John was a serious and quietly spoken man who gave his whole effort to any task he was given. In fact, care had to be taken sometimes not to take advantage of this great willingness and conscientiousness of his not to overload him. Of the many jobs he took on so well, I particularly remember him when he became Families Officer for the 1st Battalion in Iserlohn where his quiet, comforting and fatherly manner made him a great favourite with everyone.

Underneath this calm manner, however, there was a very strong sense of loyalty to those with him and particularly to the Regiment - a true Green Howard. He leaves behind his very supportive and charming wife, Miki, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

 

Arthur G Hoggarth

Mr George Hewling writes:
It is with regret that I have to report the death of ex Sgt A G Hoggarth.

Arthur had been ill for a long time and died peacefully in Hillcrest Nursing Home aged 92.   Arthur started his army service with the Regiment on the 27th January 1930 and went on to the 2nd Bn in India.   He was discharged in 1937, but was recalled when WW2 started.

He went to France with the 1st Bn, but left France to go to Norway, he was MID and was promoted Corporal.   He went to the Middle East, where he was wounded and was discharged on the 27th September 1944 with the rank of Sergeant.  Arthur was a first class member of the Association and we shall miss him.   Mr Buck and I attended his funeral and his wife Anne thanks us for taking the Standard.

 

Sergeant George Hopkins

Glenn Hopkins, one of George Hopkins sons wrote:

George Hopkins was a sergeant in the 1st Battalion from 1952-1978.

George Hopkins died from lung cancer, diagnosed 2 months prior to his death on 22 June 2002, and passed away in St.Catherines Hospice in his home town of Scarborough, aged 67.

He was a father to 7 boys, all of whom served in the armed forces. One of his sons died aged 31.

Following a funeral in which the regimental colours were draped over his coffin,the reception was held at the local TA Centre, with their kind permission, and nothing was too much for them. Having followed my father around the camps in Libya, Germany and England, I had a good idea of what a close regiment the Green Howards are. My father was a Yorkshireman, spoke his mind, and was a good husband and father. I know that he always loved the regiment, although he was not an active member, on most parts due to his health, and I'm sure there are many of his friends who will mourn his passing.

  The following obituary was published in the April 2003 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Corporal Chris Horner

Major Roddy Bailey writes:

The death of former Corporal Chris Horner has robbed the Thornaby Branch of one of its major stalwarts. Born of a large family of three brothers and three sisters their house was within sound of Thornaby's shunting yards when the railway was part of Teesside's pride. Enlisting at Middlesbrough he was despatched to Strensall as a Junior in 1963. A fit athlete with whom few would argue he joined A Company of the 1st Battalion in Benghazi commanded by the late Major Tony Burke. Tony Burke's leadership and courage had inspired many in Korea and continued to inspire his soldiers in the late sixties. Chris was one of them and he never forgot 'the man with the cigar' and the standards he taught.

After North Africa he saw service in the Far East, British Honduras (with B Company), Germany (Minden), Northern Ireland and two happy years on the Regiment's Youth Team in Middlesbrough. Sadly his first marriage did not succeed but on Corporal Homer's return from the Ardoyne tour he married Kathy and they remained a devoted couple until his early death four weeks short of his 56th birthday. Leaving the Army in 1973, Chris Horner carried the standard for the Thornaby Branch of The Green Howards Association and initially made his living as a painter and decorator before becoming a valued employee of Barker & Stonehouse with whom he stayed for 20 years. The father of one son from his first marriage and a son and daughter by his second, Chris became the proud grandfather just before he learnt of his cancer. He bore it secretly until it could be hidden no longer and then behaved as one would expect a good soldier to behave - yelling over the neighbour's fence that he could still take on all comers and that Section Commanders had all been useless since he gave up!

---

Jack Horton

The Hon Sec Guisborough Branch, Ron Boyes, writes

Jack Horton died on 15th October 2004 following a tragic accident whilst returning from holiday.

Jack had served with The Shropshire Light Infantry in Korea having enlisted as a boy. He joined the Guisborough Branch GHA and was an excellent member supporting all Branch and Regimental activities. With his wife, Mary, he attended the annual holiday in Benidorm. Jack will be sadly missed by all at Guisborough. The shield he made and presented to the Branch will be named 'The Jack Horton Memorial Shield'. Our sympathy to his wife and family.

---

Major P L Hoskins

Pat Hoskins writes:

Peter was commissioned into the Green Howards in 1940. He left the depot at Richmond in April 1941 and, with the 5th battalion, embarked on the Empress of Asia for the Middle East. After all too brief a sample of the fleshpots of Capetown and Durban, he landed at Port Taifiq in Egypt. A brief posting to Larnica, Cyprus with D Company followed. Christmas 1941 found him back in the desert, where as a platoon commander he went on a number of sorties or 'Jock Columns' near Benghazi, and also spent time in the Garzala Line. A posting to Brigade HQ in charge of a defence platoon came next, until a German armoured column advanced around behind the battalion and Peter, looking out of his trench, found himself facing a Mark IV tank with a figure in the turret training the gun on him.

His time as a POW began at camps in Derna and Barce, and then a flight from Benghazi took him to Italy (Eric Hopkins who was captured at the same time helped with details). Camps at Bari and Gavi were followed by Camp 21 at Chieti where Peter had his first introduction to the stage, shaving his legs, donning a short skirt and learning a high-kicking routine as a chorus girl.

After the Italians surrendered on September 7th 1943, the Germans took over the camp and Peter was moved to another at Sulmona, where the POWs learnt that they were to be sent to Germany. Having been loaded into cattle wagons they found that the top half of the trucks were made of wood which they later managed to cut a hole through with various implements they had hidden in their clothes. They climbed out onto the buffers and, picking a moment at night when the train was slowed by an incline, jumped clear. Ken Forster, another Green Howard, joined up with Peter and they were together through most of the eight months spent on the run.

Peter finally joined up with advancing New Zealanders, and eventually made his way home. After various jobs he was sent to Ceylon, and later in September 1945 to Singapore. Here he became A.D.C. to General Cox who was G.O.C. Singapore District. There followed a period of euphoria after the long war years, a very happy time, culminating in our marriage in April 1948.

On his return to the UK Peter was posted to Eaton Hall, instructing National Service officer cadets, then to Malaya with the 1st Battalion where he was a company commander at Asahan (Nigel Bagnall served in the company at various times). Next came postings to Barnard Castle, and Graz in Austria and then back to Malaya where he was made RAF Liaison officer at Butterworth. His last posting was to Hong Kong.

Tom Morkill writes:

On joining the 1st Battalion in Hong Kong in July 1958 I was quickly introduced to Peter who was OC Support Company. Our common interest in sport, and particularly cricket, ensured we spent much of our free time together. In many ways Peter became my mentor and by the time we both left the Regiment in September 1959 we were close friends.

Shortly after retiring Peter joined Guinness in Brighton and by coincidence I joined Charrington Brewery in London. This enabled us to remain in contact both sodally and through business. Peter served with Guinness for some 20 years and had become a senior sales executive by the time he retired in 1980. This was a fine achievement and resulted from his leadership and people handling skills and his great attention to detail when it came to planning and administrative matters.

Pat Hoskins continues:

After Peter retired from Guinness we made the most happy choice to settle in Winchelsea, where we made some wonderful friends. Peter was made a Freeman, Jurat and lastly Mayor. Three years before Peter died, he picked up the dreaded MRSA infection after a back operation, and it confined him to a wheelchair. He put up with this very difficult period with patience and a sense of humour, much helped by the family - two daughters and two sons - his friends and the odd jar of Guinness pre-lunch and a whisky or two in the evening. He died aged 82 on our 55th wedding anniversary and is buried near the war memorial in Winchelsea graveyard.

Captain E S Hopkins writes:

Peter, who passed away on 10th April 2003, and I were subalterns in the 5th Battalion from 1940 until its destruction by Rommel's Afrika Korps in the Western Desert on 1st June 1942. Once captured, he was moved from Libya to various Italian POW Camps but managed to escape from the train moving to Germany in September 1943 with three others. He was on the run for eight months before he met up with the Canadian Army.

On his return to England he was granted a regular commission and, on retiring from the Army, was employed by Guinness. He and Pat moved to Winchelsea some 15 years ago and enjoyed their many friendships. Three years ago, whilst in hospital for a routine operation, Peter was smitten by a near fatal disease and was subsequently wheelchair bound. He is survived by his lovely wife and their two daughters and two sons, to whom we all extent our deepest sympathy.

---

Ex-Corporal "Dusty" Howell

Mr George "Ben" Gunn writes :

Corporal Stanley 'Dusty' Howell died in Nottingham on 10th October 2005. 'Dusty', as he was known by all in the 1st Battalion, was born in Singapore in 1927 of Eurasian parents. When the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1942 life became very hard. Dusty was interned and spent some time behind barbed wire. When the Second World War ended, on 15th August 1945, he joined the Singapore Regiment and ended up guarding Japanese war criminals in prison on the island.

He was a great sportsman but excelled at boxing and in his twenties became a professional boxer under the name 'Golden Boy'. He was proud of the fact that he once sparred with Bo-Bo Alson who was to become the middleweight champion of the world.

He joined the 1st Battalion in 1951 because, as he later told me: "I saw The Green Howards dealing with the Maria Hertog riots in Singapore. Their discipline, patience and smartness told me that this was the regiment for me."

He joined 5 Platoon, B Company in Tampin, Malaya where he was a great asset because he could speak Malay, Chinese and some Tamil. Patrolling did not stop him from boxing and he fought his last professional fight in 1952 with his close friend, Jack Charlton, acting as his second. Naturally, he won.

By the time the 1st Battalion was posted to Hong Kong in 1956 he was in HQ Company as the Battalion Provost Corporal. He also trained the Battalion boxing team which went on to win the Far East boxing championship in 1956 and 1957.

The funeral took place in Nottingham on 24th October 2005, which most of his ten children flew in from around the world to attend, as did his old friend,. Jack Charlton, who drove down from Teesside.

We extend our condolences to Mae and the children and grandchildren and say "He was one of the best, he loved his Regiment like his own large family - we will not forget him."

---

  The following obituary was published in the April 2003 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Major G R Hovington

Captain Tony Watkins writes:

The ever dwindling band of 1st Battalion wartime veterans will learn with regret of the death of Major G R Hovington. He died peacefully after a few days' illness on 8th September 2002, aged 87 years.

'Hov' was a Yorkshireman, through and through; born in Middlesbrough and a schoolteacher by vocation in Scarborough.
After taking a Masters degree at Oxford he was commissioned in The Green Howards in time to join the 1st Battalion on its Cook's tour of Northern Ireland, India and Persia, before taking part in the Sicily Campaign in 1943 and the advance up Italy. On 13th February 1944, at Trimonsuoli, he was appointed Adjutant, a position he held during the period in the Middle East and Syria up to the end of the war in Germany. During the final attack by the 1st Battalion on Buchen, he commanded A' Company.

On demobilisation he returned to teaching at Scarborough and the Isle of Man where he met Jean who was to become his wife. His final position was as Headmaster of Mansfield Woodhouse School in Nottingham.

Hov was a very useful cricketer and as member of a side which could number Hedley Verity, Norman Yardley, David Gillespie and Arnold Shaw (the Brigadier) the Battalion was as formidable between the stumps as it was on the field of battle.

During our stay in Palestine in '44, he suggested we write a book together. It was entitled 'Hence the Faith and Fire' and based very loosely on my experiences at the Convalescent Depot at Sorrento and dealt with a doomed love affair of an English officer and a nurse. However, halfway through this epic, we realised that Ernest Hemmingway had already covered the same ground and our Magnum Opus was never completed.

At Anzio, he ran the Anzio Turf Club (a great morale booster) and a photograph in George Aris' book of 5th Division (p 224) shows him, pipe firmly gripped, presenting CQMS Sutton with his winnings.

I valued his friendship and for the concern and help he gave me as an older officer for a very young and inexperienced one and I am always grateful that he guided me to an appreciation of English literature. He was a delightful companion, a good friend with a blunt sense of humour, solid and reliable. A true Green Howard.

The Regiment will, I am sure, join me in sending its sympathy to Jean and her family.

 

The following obituary was published in the April 2001 issue of the "Green Howards Gazette".

Major Derek Gordon Hughes

Nicholas Ford, Son In Law, writes:
Unexpectedly, two days after an apparently successful operation, Derek Hughes died suddenly of a heart attack on 1 February 2001, aged 73.   Born in 1928, he enlisted in the Army shortly after the Second World War, and served in Palestine, Greece and Cyprus.     Although he resigned from the regular Army in 1956 to devote more time to his young family, he never really left what to him was always a second family.   He immediately transferred to the Territorial battalion of the Green Howards, where he served as an officer for many years.

Throughout his working life, which continued until he was admitted to hospital, he remained devoted to the Army and the Regiment in particular.   He provided financial advice to many units and individuals, for whom his professional knowledge was unrivalled and his personal dedication unstinting.   His resourcefulness and willingness to help earned him the lifelong friendship and gratitude of many throughout the Army.

A man of many talents Derek Hughes will be remembered with affection and sadly missed by all who had the honour to know him.

---

Major J HughesMC TD

Trevor Hughes writes:

My father died peacefully in Poringland, Norwich on 31st March 2003.

In 1942, he had been a Company Commander in the 6th Green Howards, first under Lt Col 'Ted' Cooke-Collis and later, when 'Red Ted' was promoted to Brigadier to Command 69th Brigade, under Major T M S Roberts. On 26th June 1942 whilst moving to a new position to hold Mersah Matruh, the Battalion was attacked by a large force of German Stuka aircraft. The Commanding Officer was severely wounded. The Command of 6th Battalion then devolved onto Major J L Hughes MC.

After digging in for the night a large column of some 2,000 enemy vehicles were seen moving to the south east of their position.

Cooke-Collis issued orders for his Brigade to attack this column. The Battalion was by that time down to only two companies, each with a few anti-tank guns, and Battalion Headquarters. Even so, they launched an attack at the enemy sustaining heavy casualties in doing so. A fierce fire-fight ensued before three enemy tanks appeared on the scene spraying the Green Howards position with continuous machine gun fire. The legendary 'Red Ted' appeared on the scene in his carrier, charging through the position and firing his Bren gun at point blank range at the enemy. His carrier received a direct hit but somehow he and his driver survived, although both were wounded. In the meanwhile, my father was severely wounded in the stomach. He probably owed his life to his batman who, although ordered to save himself, refused to leave my father. He bandaged his wounds and kept him alive until daybreak when he attracted the enemy's attention and secured proper medical services for my father. After a painful truck journey to the rear. Major Hughes was placed in an Italian POW Camp close to Benghazi, before being flown to Italy. He recovered from his wounds and managed to make two escape attempts from POW Camp. Eventually he did escape from PG 136 close to Bologna and make his way to Switzerland. He eventually got back to the UK where he ended the war commanding an Officer Cadet Training Unit.

My father was always proud of the Green Howards and, as a result, I joined the Territorial Army - although my father rather frowned on me becoming a Gunner. However, my Regiment (100 Medium, later 100 Field Regiment) shared Honorary Colonels-in-Chief with the Green Howards and I was once able to tell King Olav V that my Dad knew his Dad.

---

 

Major Arnold Hull

The Regimental Secretary writes:

Major Arnold Hull who served in the 7th Bn and was Adjutant until he was hospitalised in Sicily died 11th April in hospital aged 80 years. After D-Day he served as a GLO with the RAF in France and Germany. He maintained contact with RHQ up until his death but to my knowledge did not attend any regimental function. He lived in Monmouthshire.

 

The following obituary was published in the April 2002 issue of the "The Green Howards Gazette".

Roy Humble

Mr George Hewling writes:

It is with deepest regret I have to report the death of Ray Humble. Ray served with 4th/5th Green Howards TA for about 8 years in Whitby. He had been ill for quite some time but attended the 2001 re-union and I'm sure he enjoyed the company of many of his friends. He left the 4/5th Bn when the TA Centre at Whitby closed in 1967. He worked as a barman in the Fishermen's Club where he was very popular behind the bar and many of the members of the Club attended his funeral service at the Church.

All members of the Branch send their sincere condolences to his wife and family.

---