The Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry
6 October 1959 - 10 July 1968
Osnabruck 1959/61
Plymouth Sept/61
Gibraltar/Tobruk 1961/63
Berlin 1963/65
Gravesend 1965/68
Gus, as he was known to all, enlisted in to the SCLI in June 1962. Following his training at the KOYLI Depot in Pontefract he was posted to I SCLI in Gibraltar.
He served for most of his service in a rifle company apart from a spell as a Regt. Policeman. During his service he served in Tobruk, Berlin, Gravesend, Canada, Norway, Aden, Kenya, Lemgo, Northern Ireland and Colchester. He retired from the Army after 15 years in August 1977. During his service he was awarded the GSM with clasps for Aden, South Arabia and Northern Ireland.
Predeceased by his wife, his funeral service took place on Tuesday 4th November at Telford Crematorium. It was well attended by his family, friends and former colleagues from the Regiment, and two Buglers from the Buglers Association.
He was commissioned in to the SOM LI in August 1958, serving initially as a platoon commander with 1 SOM LI at Warminster, Wiltshire.
Following the formation of the SCLI, he was posted to the Regt Depot at Bodmin as a training subaltern. In 1961 he commenced an attachment with the 2nd Bn the Parachute Regt.
He served with the Bn in Cyprus, Kuwait, and Aldershot during which time he was promoted to Capt. He returned to 1 SCLI in 1963 who were stationed in Berlin. Later postings were to Gravesend and Aden. Following the formation of the Light Infantry in 1968 he served in Northern Ireland, Lemgo and Belize with further promotion to Maj and becoming a company commander. In 1977 he was posted to 2 LI in Lemgo as a coy comd and later a further posting to Northern Ireland. His final posting was to the LI Depot as Shrewsbury where he served as the 2ic. His funeral service to place at All Saints Church, Swallowfield, Reading on Tuesday 11th November. It was attended by his family, friends and former fellow officers. Our condolences go to his wife Julia and family.
Gary enlisted in to the SCLI in June 1965 and following his training at the Light Infantry Depot at Shrewsbury he was posted to 1SCLI in Gravesend.
He initially served in a rifle company becoming a platoon signaller, before moving to the signal platoon where he spent most of his service as the CO’s signaller and driver. During the course of his service he served in Aden, Kenya, Lemgo, Northern Ireland, and a period of a fortnight in Belgium.
He retired from the Army in 1974. During his service he was awarded the GSM with clasp’s for South Arabia and Northern Ireland.
His funeral service took place on Wednesday 27th August at Gwent Crematorium, South Wales, and was attended by his family, friends and former colleagues from the Regiment.
Our condolences go to his wife Joy and family.
Barry’s service number shows that he enlisted in the Army in the late 1950s. He served in both the SCLI and 1LI.
By the time the SCLI deployed to Aden he had obtained the rank of Cpl. and was on the advanced party. He would therefore have been awarded the GSM with the clasp for South Arabia, and possibly other awards for his later service.
He served as a bandsman in both the SCLI and 1LI.