Col
Nick Hallett MBE
on 23 Mar 2000, after a long illness, aged 82, at
Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Norwich. St Margaret’s Church,
Lyng was full for the Thanksgiving service. The Rector
informed the congregation that Nick Hallett had been a
much loved member of the community. A black draped Lyng
and District RBL Standard attended the coffin, draped
with the yellow Royal Norfolk flag.
Two addresses were given, the first by Major General
Jack Dye CBE MC. He established his credentials by
saying he and Nick served together in the Royal Norfolk
Regiment, together with many officers present.
'Regimental friends are in a special category. We join
as young men and a bond is created through shared
experiences which lasts throughout our lives. There are
few of us old 9th Foot soldiers left. Nick was one of
our senior officers who has now gone and I speak from a
close Regimental friendship of over 50 years. Nick was
born in Weybourne in 1917 and grew up in that idyllic
part of the Norfolk coast with brother Dick and the
Ferriers, Hamonds, Clogstouns and Dillons and many other
families represented here today. Those were carefree
days before the 2nd World War, a way of life ended so
abruptly by the declaration of war against Germany in
Sep 1939. Nick was educated at Greshams and the Royal
Military Academy at Sandhurst. Commissioned into the
Royal Norfolk Regt in 1937 he joined our 2nd Bn, who
after mobilisation on the outbreak of war, were the
first infantry unit to land in France as part of the
BEF. After the quiet winter months of 1939-40, the
German Army, supported by superior Air Forces, crossed
into Belgium on 10 May and the 2nd Bn was immediately
engaged. They were constantly in action but could not
contain the German Blitzkrieg and the withdrawal to
Dunkirk began. In fighting a number of rearguard
actions, the 2nd Bn distinguished itself, CSM Gristock
winning a VC. During this fluid battle Nick’s role was
to act as a Liaison Officer carrying the CO’s Orders
around the dispersed Bn and bringing back intelligence
reports from a very confused situation. His mode of
transport was a motorcycle and it was on one of these
missions he was ambushed and wounded but escaped capture
by crawling to a barn and hiding there. Later, in
attempting to rejoin his Bn, he was captured and became
a POW. It is a strange quirk of fate that had he
succeeded in getting through to the Coy which was his
objective he would undoubtedly have suffered the same
fate in being massacred by the infamous SS Unit in such
dreadful circumstances at Le Paradis. Nick began an
incarceration which was to last 5 years, continuing to
keep his diary. The entries show him in the same light
as we all knew him - unperturbed, seeing the funny side
of life when desperation would seem more appropriate and
at all times showing a superb confidence that all would
end well. He took part in tunnelling activities: once
having the misfortune, when his turn came to escape, of
looking up the shaft to see a German Alsatian peering
down. A particularly poignant entry describes his
endless walks around the perimeter wire, imagining in
great detail that he was in his mind back home walking
on the marshes at Blakeney, Cley and Morston. Nick said
it helped to keep his sanity. Release came in 1945 and
Nick joined the 1st Bn in Germany. I was Adjt and this
terribly nice, relaxed man just fitted in and became one
of us. Not a word about his POW experiences, no
recriminations, just a determination to put those 5
years behind him and build a new army career. And how
well he succeeded. Within a year he passed the Staff
College examination and secured a place at Camberley in
1949. He and Pat had met before the war and they were
married in 1946. And so they lived an army life for 20
years while Nick’s career flourished with postings to
BAOR, Hong Kong and Scandinavia. He retired from the
army in 1964 having been made MBE and took up an
appointment with IBA as their Regional Officer in
Norwich, ensuring Anglia TV programmes conformed to the
Television Act regarding content, balance and standards.
He gained the respect of those around him in television,
retiring in 1982.'
The address by Mr William Brigham of Lyng spoke
of Col Nick’s vast contribution to the community and
to the village, from cutting the grass to hosting
village fetes. 'Few have had a greater impact on village
life than the Halletts. Nick went about his business in
his usual quiet efficient way, treating everybody in the
same courteous manner whatever their standing in life.'
He was Parish Council Chairman, and District Councillor.
When Chairman of Public Health, he learned about
sewerage by spending a night in the Sewerage works.
In the morning a local met Nick and said: 'Where have
you bin? You don’t half stink!'
He will be sadly missed. A true officer and a Gentleman.
Col Hallett is survived by his widow Pat and daughter
Nicolette. JLR compilation of EDP,
Gen Jack Dye and William Brigham
 Nicolette,
daughter of the late Col Nick Hallett, sent a
photograph, right, of his grave headstone in Lyng
Churchyard.
She found
a piece of Portland stone and said: 'It felt both good
and relevant to carve the lettering myself.'
In The
Britannia, Issue 26, Autumn 1939 was: 'Back in the UK
the 2nd Battalion HQ Coy announced the
appointment of 2Lt JNR Hallett as MT Officer.' After Note Oct 03:
Mrs
Pat Hallett died in Oct 03. |
| Mrs Molly Braithwaite
in December 1999, widow of the late Col Mike
Braithwaite, CO 4 Royal Norfolk Jan 53 - Jan 56, who
died 1 Dec 1974. JLR |
ES Collins, of Abbey Wood,
London, suddenly, aged 80 on 29 January 2000. Little is
known of his service except that he served with the
Wiltshire Regt and The Royal Norfolk Regt. With some New
Zealand soldiers he was captured by the Japanese. In
recent times he met a former Army pal and they slipped
into conversation in Japanese. Mrs
Christine Bargent
(Click
here for an appeal. Ed.) |
| William Cook, of Lowestoft, suddenly on
18 Dec 99. He served with
4 R Norfolk and was a member of the 4th Bn Old
Comrades Association. John Housego |
Fred Eva on
28 Apr 2000, aged 80. He was a signaller with 6 R
Norfolk, part of the ill-fated 18th (East Anglia)
Division when captured in 1942 in Singapore. He worked
at the bridge camp made famous by the fictional film
'Bridge on the River Kwai' and in Hellfire Pass,
Thailand. His health collapsed and on release he weighed
just over 5 stone, resembling he said: 'A stick insect.'
Fred was secretary of the Norfolk Fellowship of FEPOWs
for more than 40 years and worked tirelessly for former
servicemen left scarred by their experiences at the
hands of the Japanese. Articulate, sincere and
uncompromising in his commitment to the fellowship of
ex-prisoners and their families, he appeared frequently
on the media and became the public face of the FEPOW,
his gaunt face synonymous with the POWs struggle. Maj Tom
Eaton, President of the Norwich Fellowship of
FEPOWs, spoke of Fred’s great courage and endurance.
'Above all, Fred should be remembered for his concern
for others and his never-ceasing efforts on behalf of
ex-FEPOWs, their wives, widows and dependants.' Two
years ago, Fred voiced his support for a silent protest
by elderly prisoners of war during the state visit of
Emperor Akihito to Britain. Phil Johnson, Royal Marines
Association, said: 'Fred was a special man. The world
would be a better place for a lot more men like him.'
Fred is survived by his widow Doreen whose father died
as a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. She said: 'He
fought for so many people, but he also fought for his
own life, and for me.' The words quietly filtering
through the Earlham Crematorium chapel to the crowd
outside, which included a Guard of Honour, said it all:
'The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the
good fight.'
With thanks to the EDP, EEN, Jo Ellis and Steve Snelling |
| Bert Grimes, of Roydon,
King’s Lynn on 25 Feb 2000. Bert was a founder members
of the King`s Lynn Branch. The Royal Norfolk and Royal
Anglian Regt Social and Welfare Club President Frank
Madle, Mrs Madle and fellow members joined
the many mourners at the funeral. The Standard, carried
by Gerry Bacon, stood by that of FEPOW. The Last
Post was sounded for Bert who served with
5 R Norfolk and was captured in
Singapore. Mrs G
Slater |
WO2 Ernest George Jones
MM of Gorleston, peacefully, on 20 Apr 2000.
George, as he was known, joined 7 R Norfolk with his age
group at Woolaton Park in Jul 1940 when it reformed
after the evacuation from St Valery. He remained with
the Bn to become CSM in Aug 1943. The Bn fought with
distinction in Normandy, culminating in the Battle of
the River Orne at Grimbosq in Aug 1944 when Capt David
Jamieson, commanding D Coy, was awarded the VC for
his actions. Seven German counter-attacks were repelled
in 36 hours but George was wounded and evacuated towards
the end of the battle and later awarded the MM. In an
EDP interview in 1986 he recalled: 'I was directing a
section of men from the burning Churchill tank where
Capt Jamieson had been wounded. Standing up to watch
them go, an 88mm shell exploded nearby and took the best
part of the top of my arm away.' He spent the next 7
months in military hospitals in Wales from where he was
discharged in Apr 1945 as unfit for further service.
Yarmouth born, he returned to work in the Civil Service
in Norwich and London, retiring to Norfolk in Aug 76
with his wife Ivy. They lived at Bradwell near Great
Yarmouth and celebrated their Diamond Wedding in Mar 97.
George suffered from paralysis and rheumatoid arthritis
for many years and was housebound for the last 15 years.
He much regretted being unable to join his former
comrades on visits to Grimbosq and Perrier Ridge but
spoke with pride of their achievements. George is
survived by his wife Ivy.
JLR, George Jones and with thanks to the EDP |
| Rodney N Keess of Eastbourne in Jan 2000. A
National Service Officer 1947-8, he served with
1 R Norfolk and was a member of the Dunkirk
Veterans Association. He is survived by his widow. |
| Cpl Peter Last of
Terrington St Clement on 9 Mar 2000. Peter joined 2 R
Norfolk in Burma as a reinforcement from Norwich. He was
Churchwarden at Terrington St Clement and was much
valued by all. Rev HM Davies |
| Charlie Overton
in Jan 2000 aged 80. He served in Gibraltar and India
with 1 R Norfolk before returning to England
at the beginning of WW2. Charlie took part in the D-Day
landings where he was wounded. Returning to England he
was batman to Capt (later Maj Gen) Jack Dye.
After demob Charlie worked for BAC at Weybridge until
retirement. The Regt was represented at his funeral by Stan
Rasberry of the London Branch. Bill
Seymour |
| Doug Phillips of
Caister in 1999. He served with 4 R Norfolk
and was captured in Singapore. Doug was a member of the
4th Bn Old Comrades Association and FEPOW. He is
survived by his widow. John
Housego |
| Geoffrey Ricketts on
9 Oct 99 aged 71. Born in Watford, one of 8 children, he
left school at 14 and worked in the motor trade. In 1946
he joined the Royal Norfolks as a motor mechanic,
serving in Germany. Geoffrey had known Jean for most of
his life and they were married in 1951, moving to West
Dereham in 1987. He loved Country and Western music and
was extremely enthusiastic about bowling for the
disabled. He is survived by his widow Jean and daughter
Lesley. Jim Lane |
| CSgt Jock Rintoul of
Heartsease, Norwich on 11 Mar 2000 while on
holiday in Scotland. Jock joined the Highland Light
Infantry as a 16 year-old Boy Soldier in 1930 and looked
every inch the dashing young man in tartan trews and
white spats. He served with 1 R Norfolk and
became a veteran of Dunkirk and the liberation of
Helmond, making life-long friendships with the Dutch.
Jock served with The Royal Norfolks in Dusseldorf and
Korea before 2 years in Hong Kong where families were
able to join them. Returning to the UK in 1955 Jock
retired after 25 years of service and took employment
with solicitors in Norwich. He was a staunch support of
the Dunkirk Veterans Association. Jock and his wife
Jesse celebrated their Diamond Wedding in Mar 99. Jesse
died in May 99 and he is survived by his son
John. Paul Boxall |
| Carl Rowland of Bungay on 4 Jan 2000. He
served with 4 R Norfolk and was a member of the
4th Bn Old Comrades Association. He is survived by
his widow Evelyn. J Housego |
| CSgt Gordon Royal in
Feb 99. Gordon was a 4 R Norfolk Assault
Pioneer Cpl in the Pl commanded by WO2 Alec Barr.
He transferred to the R SIGNALS and served with them in
Norwich for many years. Alec Barr |
| Cpl Anthony Scott of
Brentwood, Essex on 25 Jan 2000, aged 67.
After service with the Essex and Middlesex Regiments, he
joined The Royal Norfolks and served with them in Korea.
Vickers trained, he was 2IC to Sgt Jack Warner in
the MMG Section, mainly attached to A Coy. Anthony
returned to Hong Kong and served with the Bn in the New
Territories until demob in 1953.
John Denny |
| Frank Young on 26 Dec
1999 in his 85th year at the Victoria Nursing Home in
Cliftonville. He enlisted in 1937 and served in
Gibraltar, India, North Africa and Italy. Discharged in
1946, he became a member of the London
Branch. Bill Seymour |
 Maj Danny Bebbington MBE,
in Sep 1999. A Founder Member of 6 R ANGLIAN,
Danny was the QM for many years.
Joining the Beds & Herts as a Boy Soldier, Danny saw
service all over the world and was the youngest
Quartermaster Sgt in the British Army when serving in
one of the Chindit Columns. He was made MBE for his
service in setting up the British Forces in British
Guyana.
Imperturbable, he was a good friend and
mentor to the quartet of young Officer Cadets of A
(Royal Norfolk) Company in the 1970s.
John L Raybould |
|
B&C Norfolk
Editor