I was privileged to call Doojie a friend and served with him at Sennelager, Detmold, Berlin and Hubelrath. He was co-author with Monty Howard of the eagerly awaited Berlin Bat reports, a humorous and generally libellous account of the nocturnal activities of mess members. Doojie was liked and respected by all who knew him and I have very many happy memories of when we served together. A quiet unassuming Norfolk Gentleman who will be sadly missed.
   Walter ‘Oss’ Osborne

John was orphaned when 5 years old, his parents killed in the 1914 War. Illiterate when he joined the Norfolks in 1931 he quickly learned, passing 3,2 and 1 education certificates.
After initial training at Britannia Barracks he was posted to the 1st Bn in India, serving on the North West Frontier, learning Machine Gun and Medical skills. He was soon a Lance Serjeant.
After 9 years in India he came home on his first leave just as WW2 started so he duly presented himself at Britannia Barracks in his tropical type uniform. The soldiers being called up took the Micky. He was so fed up that he asked an old friend if they needed any volunteers for anything. Informed that Lord Lovat wanted people to become ‘Scouts’ he went to learn the art of survival and evasion and became a Lovat Scout. His escapades involved many raids on the French coast, Dieppe one of many. He spent 6 months alone in the Norwegian Forests to gain information as to whether the Germans were building a heavy water plant for atom bombs (which they were).
He returned to the Norfolks in time to help train the 70th Bn young soldiers. On D Day plus 3 or 4 he landed with elements of the 1st Bn. He is mentioned in the Book ‘Thank God and The Infantry’ for saving his platoon by leading them out of a minefield, helping to carry Pte Stitt who had lost a leg and for rescuing the crew of a flame-throwing carrier after they were on fire. Why he never received a medal. I‘ll never know.
He stayed on in Germany after 1945, then after his return, on the staff of the Stanford Battle Area, he on his own cleared the training area of Attlebridge, Ringland and Cawston Common. He reported the Area safe after 3 years. As PSI for the TA he trained soldiers at Aylsham Road and Dereham and during the brief return of the Home Guard before concluding his career with Cadet Norfolk Artillery Bty, Norfolk ACF.
He retired as CSM after 48 years service and was awarded the British Empire Medal.
I knew CSM Moore for 12 years and took him to many dinners and reunions where this remarkable old soldier never finished his meals because he was too busy seeking out his ‘Boys’. They loved him. I never heard an unkind comment from any one. Although only 5’ 3" tall he had the heart of a Giant.
It’s fitting to say that at the end of his outstanding life he hasn’t died but definitely faded away.
   GV Claxton ex REME. (National Service)

Service means different things to different people. To Jack Moore service was a way of life. At the conclusion of a career as a regular soldier, action packed and with a great deal of that time at the 'sharp end' many would have been content to rest. Not so Doojie, who having experienced all the adventures of a true warrior, a fine man amongst men, devoted the last phase of a distinguished life in uniform to the service of the young.
To the cadets of Cadet Norfolk Artillery he was something of a father - nay grandfather - figure which belies the Royal Arms on his battle dress cuffs. Unfailingly encouraging and kind he had an insight into the young that enables him to be firm and strong without any trace of the bully. A man at ease with himself, there was never the slightest trace of pomposity or self-importance. The welfare of his cadets was always his priority. Although he had a far from easy childhood himself he would do anything to help and encourage those for whom he was responsible. Never one to be 'mucked about by those who had an exaggerated idea of their own importance (and possessing no knowledge of Doojie's own significant activities) he was kindness itself to uncertain or timid young cadets who had got into a muddle. To such, missing kit would quietly be replaced with a quiet word of encouragement and reassurance - and some fatherly guidance to enable future problems to be avoided. Of his own exciting experiences nothing was likely to be revealed, except the odd glimpses in a social environment - but never ever publicly, to impress or justify or 'put down'. This great man possessed not only great courage, physical and moral, but true humility and modesty.
In an era of too many failed role models for, especially, young men, Jack Moore remains a shining example of what a real man is and the fact he kept so quiet about himself during his lifetime only enhances his value and his place in the hearts of those who knew him and who will always remember him with affection and respect and as an inspiration to a life of service.
    Revd Jonathan Boston (Norfolk ACF)

(With grateful thanks to Walter ‘Oss’ Osborne for typing up the reminiscences of GV Claxton and the funeral service address by Revd Jonathan Boston.  Ed.)
See The Britannia No 28 Aug 1946
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4946382 John Watson of Palmersville, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 16 Feb 2003. He served with 2 Royal Norfolk 1946-48 and in India was in the MT Section in Bn HQ. John was one of the dwindling number of surviving 2 R Norfolk soldiers who embarked on the MV Georgic in Aug 1947, featured in the Daily Express 18 Aug 47.
It was first reported in B&C 88 Jun 97 - The Norfolks leave India in Aug 1947.
John regularly attended the Georgic and Association Dinner Reunions.
He is survived by his widow Sheila.

John was at the Regimental Association Dinner Sep 02 and photographed with London Branch members.
For more, see the Georgic Index
    JLR and Gordon Spong
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Right: John Watson in Sep 02

Click images to enlarge

Click images to enlarge

Humphrey Wilson was gazetted into the Indian Army from Sandhurst in 1931, and as was the custom for the young officers, commissioned into that splendid force. He was attached to a British Regiment for two years. He joined our 1st Bn in Sialkot and greatly enjoyed the life of a young officer in a British Regiment stationed in India in those pre-war days; very early morning parades, games later in the day including polo, hockey and athletics all at which HMW excelled. At the end of his attachment, his former commission was upheld and Humphrey was posted to 2 Gurkha Rifles. There is no doubt from the diaries kept at the time, he felt an enormous respect for his new Regiment and the outstanding soldiers he met. This affection lasted for all his life.
However, his attachment to the Royal Norfolk Regt had left an indelible mark on him and in 1936 he transferred permanently to our Regiment, joining them at Jhansi. After home leave the 1st Bn moved to Delhi where he resumed his service with them.
In September 1938, after 6 years service in India, he reverted to home establishment and joined the 2nd Bn at Bordon. In July he married Moya which was to prove a long and loving partnership. A posting to the Depot was followed by a staff appointment to a TA Bde destined for Norway.
In the way which so many readers will recognise in the military way of life, the Bde did not go to Norway but to Iceland. Iceland was required as a secure base for wartime transatlantic flights and for its contribution to the battle in the Atlantic. But it was not the most exciting posting.
On returning home in May 1941 Humphrey rejoined the 1st Bn and that is where he and I first met and were to serve together for the next 4 years. He, first as a Company Commander and latterly during the campaign in NWE as 2IC of the Bn.
Humphrey Wilson was an ideal 2IC to both combat COs Hugh Bellamy and Peter Barclay. Uncomplaining about humdrum tasks, always cheerful and immensely brave, he was present in all our actions and came through totally unscathed. I sometimes thought he imagined the conflict was some sort of exercise. HMW became a legend for being so conspicuous when others were taking any cover that was available. He used an expression which became part of the 1st Bn folklore. To Humphrey everything was ‘Absolutely Grand’ no matter has dire the circumstances.
HMW was awarded a well deserved MC for his outstanding service during the whole campaign.
Post-war Humphrey resumed his travels. First to India where he became 2IC to 1 Buffs, which included service in Batavia, then, after attending Staff College in Haifa, to an appointment in Palestine.
After a home posting, Humphrey returned to Quetta with his growing family as an instructor at the Staff College. After service with 1 Beds & Herts, which included a tour in Cyprus, HMW History repeated itself. He rejoined the 1st Bn as 2IC in Korea, followed by a tour in Hong Kong.
HMW was now to receive the news which every regimental officer hopes for; appointed to command the 4th Bn of the Nigerian Regt in Aug 1954 at Kaduna. It was a marvellous time for the family, albeit with comings and goings to accommodate the arrival of new members of the family. These 3 years, as every CO knows, were the best period for Humphrey and his family.
After a final posting to Southern Command, Humphrey’s active Service career ended in 1963. He was re-employed as a retired officer in London followed by the post of Range Officer in Sennybridge, where, with his instincts for all things natural in that lovely part of Britain, still wearing quite illegally his Britannia cap badge, this marvellous old fashioned officer finally hung up his boots in 1976.
And so another old friend has gone.
You have to be careful with words these days, but Humphrey was loved in the Regiment by All Ranks.
True, Courteous, Brave and Loyal to us all. Adored by the Family. Farewell.
    Maj General Jack Dye CBE MC DL
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