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
Brigadier Alastair Fyfe died peacefully at home on 2 0 May 2026, aged 88. Alastair lan Hayward Fyfe was born in Misterton, Somerset on 21 October 1937. He was educated at Lancing College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst having first completed basic military training at Winchester.
In 1958 he was commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (later to become the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry). He saw service in Germany, Gibraltar, Zambia, Berlin and Northern Ireland before being selected to go to the Army Staff College in 1971. After completing a staff appointment with a Royal Air Force Headquarters, he served in Belize and
Northern Ireland before going to RMA Sandhurst as an instructor. After serving as an instructor at the Nigerian Staff College, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 1s Battalion, The Light Infantry, which was part of the UN Force in Cyprus. The Battalion later returned to the UK and then moved to West Germany.
In 1984, he took up an intelligence staff appointment at HQ British Army of the Rhine, followed by a short tour of 5 months with the NATO Headquarters (Allied Forces Northern Europe) in Oslo. From 1988 to 1991 (during the Gorbachev era) he was the British Military Attache in the former Soviet Union, serving at the British Embassy in Moscow. He also held the appointment of
Honorary ADC to HM The Queen from 1989 to 1991.
He retired from the Regular Army in 1991 and served as the Regimental Secretary at the Light Infantry Office in Taunton. He was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset in 1995. He was High Sheriff of Somerset in 2006/7. During the years following his retirement from the Army, he also served as a Governor of King’s College, Taunton and of King’s Hall School (1992-2013) and was Vice-Provost of the Woodard Schools (Western Region). He was also Deputy Colonel of 6th Battalion, The Light Infantry (Volunteers) and the Somerset company of The Rifle Volunteers. At various times he was Honorary Colonel of Somerset Army Cadet Force (ACF), Chairman of Somerset AC Trust, The Somerset Military Museum Trust (including during the major
refurbishment of the Museum of Somerset 2008-2011), the County Committee of the Soldiers’ Charity (Army Benevolent Fund) and of the St Michael’s Church Seavington Trust. He became an Honorary Fellow of the Woodard Schools Corporation.
Alastair Fyte was a keen athlete and represented the Army, the Combined Services and Somerset at both athletics and cross-country running. He also represented Gibraltar in the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia in 1962.
His funeral, which was a family funeral only, took place at South Petherton Parish Church on the morning of Tuesday 16th June. This was followed in the afternoon by a service of thanksgiving. Several hundred people were in attendance including many former senior officers of the Regiment. Also in attendance was the Taunton Branch Standard. Brig. Fyfe had been President of the Branch for many years until earlier this year. Our condolences go to his wife Deirdre (known as D) his daughter, son and their respective families.
Mike was called up for National Service into the Royal Signals in 1957. A year later, he transferred as a regular soldier to the 1st Bn Somerset Light Infantry in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was posted to B Coy where he very quickly attained the rank of L/Cpl. In 1959 he had two further postings, first to the Regimental Depot in Taunton as a PTI and then again as a PTI to the Regimental Depot of the DCLI at Bodmin. This was prior to the amalgamation and he was re-badged DCLI. Following the amalgamation, he remained at the Depot until 1961 when he was posted to 1 SCLI in Osnabruck joining the Signal Pltn. Following the Bn’s return to the UK and then to Gibraltar, he was promoted to Cpl and joined B Coy again as a Section Cmdr. and saw service with the Coy on their deployment to Tobruk. In 1963 the Bn was posted to Berlin and he joined the Mortar Pltn as a Section Cmdr. From 1965-67 he was posted initially to the 28 AYT (Army Youth Team) based at Taunton, promoted to Sjt and rejoined 1 SCLI in Gravesend. In 1968 the formation of the Light Infantry took place, with 1 SCLI becoming 1 LI and shortly afterwards deploying to Ballykinler, Northern Ireland for a two-year posting. During this time he was promoted to C/Sjt and joined A Coy as a Pltn Cmdr. In 1970 the Bn moved to Lemgo, West Germany, and he rejoined the Mortar Pltn as 2i/c. In 1972 he was promoted to WO2 serving as CSM in Support and then C Coy. In March 1974 the Bn moved from Germany to Meanee Barracks, Colchester, a posting which lasted for two years. During this time he was appointed as RQMS, had tours of Canada, Belize, and two deployments to Northern Ireland. In 1976 the Bn was posted to Hong Kong where he remained as RQMS until 1978 when he was promoted to WO1 and posted to (OUOTC) Oxford University Officers Training Corps as the RSM. He also carried out the duties of MTO (Motor Transport Officer) and Quarter Master. In 1979 he received a Commission to the Rank of LT and was posted back to 1 LI at Tidworth, Wiltshire, joining C Coy as 2i/c. Shortly afterwards, the Bn was posted to Cyprus on a six-month UN tour. On return to Tidworth he remained as 2i/c C Coy until mid 1980 when he was promoted to Capt. and posted as OC 20 CTT (Cadet Training Team) at Taunton.
He retired from the Army in April 1981 after 24 years service. He was then almost immediately employed as QM of the Somerset ACF by TAVRA for Western Wessex (Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Association as it was known then) and promoted to the rank of Maj. He finally retired from military service in 2000, being the longest serving soldier of 42 years service, originally badged SOM LI. During his service he was awarded the GSM with clasp for Northern Ireland, UNFICYP Medal, Jubilee 1977 Medal, Accumulated Campaign Service Medal, Army LS&GC Medal, Cadet Forces Medal. Mike was especially proud of the number of Instructor and other courses he completed during his service, including the Ranger Course in America in 1969. His funeral service took place on Friday 27 February at Bathealton Parish Church and was well attended by his family, friends, many former military colleagues, including General Sir Jack Deverell. Also attending was the Taunton Branch Standard and an Association Bugler. The service was followed by a private cremation. Our condolences go to his wife Shirley, his two sons and their respective families.
Alan enlisted into the SCLI in 1962. (No known details of his service) There was no funeral service as per his wishes. He was cremated by Pure Cremations. Again, as per his wishes, his ashes were scattered at Roucan Loch, Dumfries, Scotland.
John was commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry in July 1956. He joined the Regiment at Plymouth, as part of the Advance Party of the 1st Bn, which was shortly due to arrive from Cyprus. Shortly after this he was posted to Eaton Hall Officer Training School as OC Demonstration Pltn. When Eaton Hall closed down, he was transferred to Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in the same role. Later he returned to 1 SOM LI, which was the Demonstration Bn at the School of Infantry in Warminster, Wiltshire. In October 1959 he moved with Bn to Osnabruck, West Germany for the amalgamation with 1 DCLI, which formed 1 SCLI. He was appointed OC of the Anti-Tank Pltn, operating the latest type of Infantry anti-tank weapon, the MOBAT. Following his marriage in 1961 he moved with his wife to Gibraltar, where he was selected (together with a WO) to train 40 Spanish university students in Seville, to carry out British military drill. The students were booked to play the part of British soldiers in the film “Lawrence of Arabia”. He was based in Spain for a period of six weeks and also provided technical assistance for some of the scenes in the film. Following his return to Gibraltar he was posted to Tobruk and attached to a Rifle Company. After returning to Gibraltar he was posted back to the UK and to the Pltn Commanders Wing of the School of Infantry in Warminster.
In December 1963 he retired from the Army in order to pursue a business career in his family shirt manufacturing business. He held many titles and appointments aside from his business. From 1972 – 2018 he was Lord of the Manor of Taunton and Taunton Deane. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1982. In 1985-86 he was appointed as the High Sheriff of Somerset. In 1993 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset. Other important posts that he held were Deputy County Commissioner St John Ambulance. Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. A Council member of the Royal Bath and West Show. Vice-President of Taunton Racecourse. Chairman of Somerset TAVRA. A Governor of Richard Huish College, later Chairman. Chairman of the St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice New Build Appeal. He was for many years President of the Taunton Branch of the Regimental Association. A private family funeral took place at the end of February, and a Thanksgiving Service took place on Tuesday, 28 April at Taunton Minster Church. Predeceased by his wife, our condolences go to his three daughters and their respective families.
Ray enlisted into the Somerset Light Infantry in May 1952. Following training at the LI Training Centre at Bordon, Hampshire, he was posted to the LI Brigade Training Centre at Strensall, Yorkshire. At the end of the year he was promoted to L/Cpl and employed in recruit training. In 1953 he was promoted to Cpl and posted to the SOM LI Depot at Taunton as a Training Instructor. In December 1954 he was posted to the 1st Bn SOM LI in Malaya and promoted to Sjt and joined 7 Platoon. In October 1955 the Bn returned to the UK and were based in Plymouth. Shortly afterwards, he was posted as an instructor to the Infantry Boys Bn based at Plymouth. In April 1959 he returned to 1 SOM LI based at the School of Infantry, Warminster, Wiltshire. Later that year the Bn moved to Osnabruck, West Germany where it amalgamated with 1 DCLI to form 1 SCLI. He served in A Coy as a Pltn Sgt. until early in 1961 when he was posted to the Mortar Pltn. In the summer of that year the Bn returned to the UK and after a period of 6 weeks based at Plymouth the Bn moved to Gibraltar. Following a 3-month tour in Libya and returning to Gibraltar, he was appointed Officers Mess Sjt. In July 1963 the Bn returned to the UK and he then became a member of the Advance Party on the Bn’s move to Berlin. In 1964 he was promoted to C/Sjt and posted to the SOM LI (TA) detachment in Glastonbury as the PSI. In 1966 he returned to 1 SCLI in Gravesend as CQMS D Coy. also taking on the role of Air Transport Liaison Officer for the Bn’s move to Aden in May of that year. Following a 6-month deployment, the Bn returned to Gravesend, and he was promoted to WO2 as CSM A Coy. In 1967 the Bn spent a great of time training in Norway north of the Artic Circle. In 1968 his Coy moved to Canada before returning to the UK. That same year the SCLI became 1LI and shortly afterwards the Bn moved to Ballykinler, Northern Ireland. Later there was a move to Kenya for a training exercise and on return to Ireland he took up the role of Acting RSM as the Bn deployed for the first time, in the streets of Belfast. He was promoted to substantive RSM in January 1970 and posted to the Rifle Depot in Winchester. In February 1971 He was posted as RSM 3LI in Belfast and a month later the Bn returned to Plymouth. He remained with 3LI until August 1975. During that time he was the Parade RSM when HM The Queen presented New Colours in Colchester in 1972, also at the parade when the Army commemorated it ‘Farewell to Plymouth. With the move of the Bn to Minden, West Germany, in November and the visit to the Bn by HRH Princess Alexandra (Deputy Colonel) in May 1972. The end of the year saw the Bn deployed again to Northern Ireland, in the Old Ardoyne area of Belfast. On arrival he was granted a QM commission and given command of the Bugle Pltn in C Coy. In May 1973 he became the Bn MTO when the Bn returned to Minden. In March 1974 the Bn was deployed yet again to Belfast for a 6-month tour. He served as MTO and 2ic Support Coy. At the end of the year he was promoted to Captain. On leaving 3LI he became 2ic of the Junior Soldiers Coy at the LI Depot in Shrewsbury. In 1977 he was posted to 3 RGJ as Tech QM. Whilst with the Bn it had a short deployment to Belfast, an exercise at Fort Wainwright in Canada, and numerous parades in the London area commemorating the Quenns Silver Jubilee. In 1978 the Bn was deployed to Londonderry where he was appointed QM. In September 1979 the Bn moved to Oakington, East Anglia and shortly afterwards was deployed on a 6-month tour to Cyprus in support of the UN Force in Cyprus. On return to the UK he was promoted to Major and posted to Suffield in Canada as QM of the British Army Training Team. He spent over 3 years in Canada and was awarded the MBE during that time.
He then returned to the UK and was posted to the Light Division Depot in Winchester, first as Training Officer and then as QM, with the task of closing down and handing over Peninsula Barracks, and then taking over the new Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester. In 1987 he was promoted to Lt Col. QM and the following year he spent 6 months at the MOD, being the Project Officer of the Tri-Service Tattoo on Horse Guards. He was then posted to Netheravon, Wiltshire, as OC Troops and Administration at the Support Weapons Wing. He remained at Netheravon until 1992 when he retired from the Army. During his time there he had been the senior QM on the Presentation of Colours by HM The Queen Mother at Tidworth in May.
During his service he was awarded the MBE, The GSM with clasps for Malaya, South Arabia, Northern Ireland. The LS&GC Medal. Pre-deceased by his wife Marion, his funeral service took place on Monday 23 February, at The Minster Church, Taunton, with a very large congregation in attendance. Also present was two Taunton Branch Standards, numerous other ones. and a Regimental Bugler. The service was followed by a private cremation. Our condolences go to his son, daughter, and their respective families.
Desmond enlisted into the SCLI on 12 September 1963. Following his training at the Light Infantry Brigade Depot Shrewsbury, he was posted to 1SCLI in Berlin where he initially served in a Rifle Coy. He was later transferred to the Signal Pltn serving as a radio operator. He continued as a radio operator for the remainder of his service at postings with the Battalion to Gravesend, Aden, Kenya, and following the SCLI becoming 1LI in 1968, in Ballykinler. It was from there that he left the Army after almost six and a half years service in January 1970. He returned to his home in Weston-super-Mare. During his Army service, he was awarded the GSM with clasp South Arabia. His funeral service took place on Tuesday the 10th February at Weston-super-Mare crematorium. In attendance were his family and friends, a Bugler and two Standard Bearers from the Taunton Branch of the Regimental Association. Our condolences go to his wife Shirley and family.
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.