Maj Samuel Francis Hornor, on 10 July 1998, aged 77.
Maj Gen Sir David Thorne KBE CVO gave the address at the Thanksgiving Service on the life of this gallant officer, respected land agent and distinguished sailor.
I have been asked to speak about Sam Hornor whom we remember with gladness today. I am honoured to do so. I first knew Sam in 1960 when I came to Norwich to be the Adjutant of the 4th Bn of the Royal Norfolk Regt. Sam had just retired as Second-in-Command but he was much in evidence in the affairs of the Regimental Association, as he has been ever since. It as a former soldier and staunch member of the Association that I knew Sam. But I am aware of his wide accomplishments in other fields and will hope to do justice to his name today in that sense also.
To speak of Sam, to obtain a true perspective, is to speak of families, and of family values; of loyalty and service, of the family firm, of the family of the Regiment, the church, and the community of Norwich and of Norfolk.
Sam was a true son of Norfolk and of Norwich. His roots speak volumes of this. He represented the 5th generation of his family to head the 200 year old family business of Francis Hornor and Son. He followed a very distinguished father, Bassett Hornor, who had led the firm and also served with great distinction in WW1, being awarded the DSO. His father gave much to the Regiment and never more so than in the active part he played in helping to establish the Regimental Cottages in Norwich and King’s Lynn for the old soldiers of the Regt; and also of the Regimental Chapel in the Cathedral. At the core of Sam’s being was a loyalty and deep seated respect and understanding for what his family stood for. Sam was to provide a splendid standard bearer in the cause of the family firm and of the Regt.
As with many of his generation, Sam was pitched rapidly from school at Stowe and the start of a degree at Cambridge University, into the Army. He volunteered in October 1939 and was commissioned into the Royal Norfolk Regt in 1941 at the age of 21. These were the darkest years. Within a year he was in India with the Bn. From there, the Bn with Sam as signals officer, under the command of that titan of a Commanding Officer Robert Scott, was moved as part of 2nd Division to Kohima in Burma. The experience of war, and the heroic performance of the 2nd Bn at Kohima, and then at Visema where Sam was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery under fire, was to remain an abiding memory for Sam all his life. His loving care and loyalty towards those with whom he served was clearly shown in the way he kept in contact with them all until he died. It also underscored the great care and understanding with which Sam watched over the Regimental Cottages, as Treasurer of the Trustees, and the Regimental Chapel as Chairman. Like Father, like Son. And Peter continues the family tradition, in the cottages today. Like father also, Sam returned with joy to Norfolk after service to his country in war. In his case to complete his degree at Cambridge, and then to join Francis Hornor and Son, and to sign on with 4th Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt, the Territorial Battalion based at Britannia Barracks up on the hill. Now commenced a period of exceptional service to the community which only ended with his death on July 10th - 50 years on.
I will touch on just some of the services which he gave so generously:
For 23 years or more he was Chairman of the Norwich regional Committee to the Friends of the Cathedral. In the words of Lord Ferrers, High Steward of the cathedral: 'Sam, yours has been a Tour de Force.'
Then too, for over 37 years he served the Norwich and District Association for the Blind as member and, for several years, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Those 37 years, coupled with the many years given by his father, amounted in all to 87 years service to that association . In the word of the Director: 'a magnificent record of family service.'
Then there were Sam’s many interests and activities stemming from his position as Trustee of the notable charities of Norwich. It is a roll call of service and of the quality of life in these parts - the Great Hospital, Anguishes, The Norman and Town Close Charities - whose present contributions to Norwich and Norfolk owe so much to the shrewd guidance of Sam Hornor during his years as their Trustee. He was a magistrate for 30 years. He was, at different times, Chairman of The Suffolk and Norfolk Yachting Association, the CLA in Norwich, The Norfolk Association of Agricultural Valuers; The Norfolk Club.
He was a talented sailor for over 50 years, on the Broads. He was Vice Chairman of the Broads Consultative Committee as well as an original member of the Broads Authority. The Broads was in his blood and he gave endlessly of his time towards its benefit in return for the pleasure he received from sailing.
This breadth of interest, and his willingness to help in all manner of causes is clearly evident in his giving. He was a regular donor to 21 different charities. Prominent in this giving was benevolence for the needy, the arts and the church.
So, what of the man. As always, actions speak louder than words. Sam’s life, and what he did, speak volumes. He came to terms with life and proved his sterling worth very early on. His courage, coolness under fire, constancy and sheer ability, together with his delightful sense of humour and understanding of human nature, marked him out in the Regt in war - and has done so in times of peace ever since. His understated style and unassuming manner endeared him to all he met. And the steely resolve that lay beneath the surface was measured in the responsibilities he was called on to assume.
Sam’s sense of service, and his deep faith in all that his family stood for, fashioned his life. In an age when denigration and debunking have become such a fashionable trade, he sought, rather, to uplift reputations and to support those carrying burdens. In an age of uncertainty about moral values, and an age which has tended to encourage the cult of self before service. He was steadfast and unselfish.
He was an example to us all in the fullness of the life he led. He was an all-rounder in an age which worships specialists. He was a believer in an age of uncertainty. We owe him a debt of gratitude for all that he did, and all that he was.
I quote from England’s greatest poet and playwright:

His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world -
'This was a man'

Predeceased by his wife, Pat, he leaves two sons, Charles and Peter, a daughter Flavia and two grandchildren.

Click for some of Sam's irreverent Regimental reminiscences on Litter and  Malaria and Breeches !
With Capt Maurice Franses, Sam maintained a 100% attendance record at the 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Officers Kohima Club.

Capt Cecil 'Bobbie' Parfitt, aged 81, on 8 May 1998. He moved to Hethersett as a child and was involved thereafter in village life. During WW2 he served in the Royal Norfolk Regt. Soon after the D-Day landings, as commander of an anti-tank platoon, he was so badly wounded that he was thought to be dead. It was typical of him, as the Regimental history records, that he is quoted as saying: 'Some are born lucky.' In 1945 he married Augusta Kenny who died in 1988. Between them they ran a thriving and very successful youth club. Among the many activities they arranged were youth holidays, both in the UK and abroad. Many of the then youth, now middle-aged, recall those holidays and their appreciation of Cecil and Augusta. His commitment to the life of the village church was total, serving as a Churchwarden, member of the PCC and church committees. Outside church affairs he was chairman of the local branch of the Workers’ Educational Association, a member of the Horticultural Society and many organisations.
He had a great interest in all types of antiques and gave popular talks on 'Treasures in a Suitcase.'
For some years he worked in the office of the late Maj Sam Hornor and regularly attended 1st Bn DV Club Dinners. Bobbie was highly regarded as a friend and comrade and we share his loss. An appreciable donation was made to The Royal Norfolk Regiment Association by the mourners which included Gen Jack Dye, John Lincoln, Lew Pyshorn and Robin Wilson. He leaves a son Robert, a daughter Hilary, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nathan Rous of the Evening News and WH Reeve

CSM James Edward 'Ted' Shepherd aged 76 in May 1998, after a short illness.
The eulogies to this towering personality in war and peace were led by Capt John Lincoln MC:
Over the past few days I have spoken to a number of Ted Shepherd’s old friends of 60 years ago. They spoke, with affection and respect, of 'Moochi' Shepherd. Let me explain: before the war in India, many men acquired nicknames in Urdu, related to their individual characteristics. Ted was known to be a strong swimmer and, as such, was nicknamed 'Moochi.'
He was born into a military family in India, his father an RSM in the Norfolk Regt. He joined the 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regt in India in 1937 as a boy soldier at the age of 15. In 1940, at the age of 18, he came to England for the first time when the Battalion returned from its India tour. He remained with the 1st Bn during its long training in preparation for D-Day.
Ted landed on Sword Beach in Normandy on the morning of D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, a LCpl in B Coy. 1 Royal Norfolk, part of 3rd British Infantry Division, were charged with the assault on the extreme left if the invasion beaches.
Within 2 or 3 weeks he was promoted Cpl and took part in the attacks on Lebisey on the approaches to Caen. At the battle of Sourdeval, more properly known a Pave, he fought alongside Cpl Sidney Bates who was subsequently awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for that action.
Before the end of Sep 1944, Ted was promoted Sgt. He was 22 years old. Ted was involved in patrols in early October, on the Dutch/German border, after the Bn took over positions held by troops of the American 82nd Airborne DIV after the landings at Njiemegan and Arnhem. It was here he was awarded the Military Medal but evacuated with injuries.
The citations which follow are contained in the History of the 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt. They were followed by the award of the MC and a mention in Despatches.
'Corporal JE Shepherd: Attack on Liebsey 8 Jul 1944.
At one stage the advance was brought to a standstill by artillery and machine-gun fire and Cpl Shepherd’s Platoon suffered a number of casualties. Realising that the stretcher-bearers could not reach them, Cpl Shepherd, on his own initiative, dressed the wounds of several men, and collected them into nests, showing throughout a complete disregard of his own life.
Lance-Sergeant JE Shepherd: 4 Oct 1944, Holland.
10 Pl was ordered to raid a known strong-point and take a prisoner. Thick wood, dense undergrowth. Platoon fired on by snipers from left, causing casualties. Sgt Shepherd was told to deal with the snipers which he did. He then rejoined his Pl for the final attack.
In the assault on the main strongpoint, this NCO led his men forward with the utmost courage and coolness. Heavy small-arms fire was encountered and a 5cn mortar was active. As he assaulted the enemy trenches his Sten gun jammed. Confronted by 2 of the enemy, he threw it at them and then leaped after it empty handed into the trench. Sgt Shepherd seized both by the neck and banged their heads together with such force that they temporarily lost control. He dragged them out, assisted by another member of his section, and using his fists rendered them completely docile. The Platoon, having completed its task, returned with the prisoners.
Sgt Shepherd was later evacuated as it was discovered he had fractured his knuckles while dealing bare-fisted with the enemy. His courage, cool-headedness and leadership were of outstanding quality and an inspiration to his section, which was 75% untried in battle. His control was remarkable throughout, and the success of the whole operation was mainly due to the two actions fought within the framework of the play by this NCOs Section.'.
After recovering, he returned to the 1st Bn at the request of the CO, Lt Col Peter Barclay, and was shortly promoted to Company Sergeant Maj. Ted was certainly proud at that time that he was the youngest CSM in the Bn, if not in the Regt. Another proud moment came on 29 Jun 1947 when he was in charge of the Honour Guard at the ceremony of the laying up of the old colours of the 1st Bn at Sandringham before its Colonel-in-Chief, HM King George VI.
Ted was a man who was rightly proud of his skills as a soldier, proud of the uniform he wore, a no-nonsense man, but also a man who cared for others, as the citations show. He was admired and honoured for his bravery and leadership by the men whom he led and alongside whom he fought. He was greatly respected, fair yet uncompromising, steeped in military tradition and fiercely proud of that tradition - we shall not see his like again.   Capt John Lincoln MC

Leaving the Army, Ted worked first in the Ministry of Pensions and then with Security Express. Ted served as a voluntary case worker for SSAFA and was a member of a host of other organisations, including 1 Royal Norfolk D-Day Veterans, the Normandy Veterans, the Royal Norfolk Regiment Living History Group and the Norwich Branch of the Regimental Association. A popular Parade Marshal who combined a ready wit with his martial bearing, his last ceremonial function was in the spring when HM The Queen inspected a gathering of the Royal Norfolk Veteran’s Association at Sandringham. Ted was a founder member of the Norwich and District Branch of the Regimental Association. B&C editions 85, 87, 88 and 89 carry references to Ted Shepherd. He married Jean in May 1947 and they celebrated their Golden Wedding in May 1997. He leaves a widow, daughter and 2 grandchildren.
                                                                                                  Steve Snelling - EDP & Eastern Evening News & JLR

And see the photograph of a Norfolk soldier at Sword Beach
And see the results of a chance remark by Ted Shepherd at a Norwich Branch Meeting in 1997!