​Royal Artillery Recruiting Troop
Departed Comrades
If you have any details of Past Members of the Troop who are no longer with us,
please let me have them and I will post a notice on this page.
Les Newnes
I am sad to report the passing of Les on Thursday 22nd June 2017.
Les was a member of the MCDT in the 1960's.
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We send all our sympathy to his wife Pauline and all the family.
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R.I.P.
Mike Wilson
It is with deep regret that I announce that Mike passed away on the 4th October 2016.
Mike had been unwell for sometime and bore his illness with great bravery. Mike was a
member of the MCDT in the 1960's, and was a most popular member of the Team.
Mike's Funeral took place at Coundon Crematorium, Bishop Auckland on the 13th October.
We send our sympathy to Mike's daughter Sharon and all members of his family.
R.I.P.
Richard Vickers
1944 - 2014
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Richard on the
21st May 2014. Richard was a member of the MCDT for 5 years (1962-67).
He then returned to 4th Field Regiment and saw active service in Malaya. In
recent years Richard had been the driving force in keeping our Reunions going,
and we all owe him a great deal of thanks and appreciation for this. He will
be sadly missed by all past members of The RA Recruiting Troop.
Richard's Funeral will take place at 10.30am on 2nd June 2014 at
St Michaels and All Angels Church, Higher Lane, Dalton, WN8 7RP.
Please let Jan know if you will be attending.
We send our deepest sympathy to Jan and all members of his family.
Rest in Peace Richard, Rounds Complete.
Ernie Fenlon
We are sorry to report the passing of Ernie Fenlon
in September 2014. Ernie had been unwell for several years.
Ernie was a member of the MCDT in the early 60's.
We extend our sympathy to all members of his family.
R.I.P.
Steven Castaglioni
I have just learned of the passing of Steven in 2009.
Steven was a Gnr with 1st (The Blazers) Bty,
14 Regiment and a Member of The Flying Gunners.
His Father has posted a moving tribute to his son
that you can view here. We send our sympathy to
his Family and Friends.
R.I.P.
Dave McAlister
It is with much regret that we announce the passing of Dave
on the 15th November 2011, aged 70 years.
Dave (Mac the Vamp) McAlister was one of the founder
members of The Thunderbird Mobile Exhibtion
between 1961/1963. It was Dave who provided this Website
with a lot of information of the early days of the Troop.
Dave's Funeral will take place on Monday 28th November at
Margate Crematorium at 3.20pm. All are welcome to attend.
We extend our sympathy to Dave's long time partner Dawn,
and all members of the family.
R.I.P.
Cedric Ramshall
I am sad to report the passing of Cedric Ramshall
in August 2011. Cedric was the RA Recruiting Troop
RSM in the early 1970's. He was a real character
and very well respected by all who knew him.
Cedric went onto be a Yeoman Warder at the
Tower of London.
We extend our sympathy to all of his family.
R.I.P.
Pete Carroll
24th August 2011
I am sad to report the passing of Pete on the
24th August 2011. Pete was a member of the
Central Display Team 1962-63.
We extend our sympathy to his wife Maureen
and family. Maureen was a member of the
Team at the same time in the WRAC.
R.I.P.
Bob Sims
25th September 2010
It is with great sadness that I have to report
that Bob passed away on the 25th September
2010 after a Major heart attack.Bob served in the
MCDT in the early 70's.We send our Sympathy
to his wife Carole and all the Family.
R.I.P.
Captain David Miles
20th June 2010
I am sad to report the passing of David Miles,
the founder of the Royal Artillery Motor Display Team.
David formed the Team in 1949.
He was aged 87 years. We extend our
sympathy to all members of his Family.
R.I.P.
Tom Gledhill
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing
of Tom on 25th February 2010, aged 80.
As many will know Tom was MCDT Team
Leader for many Years in the 60's and early 70's.
Tom had retired to Spain but had returned to the UK
to live. We extend our sympathy to Tom's partner Ann
R.I.P.
John (Chalky) White
Thursday 12th November 2009
It`s with a sad heart that I have to let you
know that John(Chalky) White passed away
on Thursday morning 12th November.
John served with RA1 in the early 70's.
The Funeral was held at 2pm Friday 20th November
at St Bedes Crematorium, Acklam, Middlesborough,it
was a Military Funeral. We extend our sympathy
to Shelia and all of his family.
R.I.P.
Roy Gordine
Saturday 14th February 2009
Aged 65
I am sorry to report the passing of Roy on
Saturday 14th February 2009. Roy had been
suffering his illness since last July.
He was a member of the MCDT 1967-68 then
returning to 4th Regt RA as a PTI.The Reunion
has made a Donation to the Sue Ryder Hospice.
The Funeral took place on 27th February.
We extend our sympathy to all his family.
R.I.P
Peter Rumble
3rd August 2008
I am very sad to report the passing of Pete on
the 3rd August 2008.Peter served with 36 Regiment
in Malta, Germany andShoeburyness.
He was a First Class Soldier and Senior NCO.
I know many will remember him.He was awarded
the MBE for the work he did in the Regiment.
Peter moved onto The RA Recruiting Troop
and became the TSM of No2 Display Team
where he was held in the highest regard.
On behalf of all who knew and served with Peter
we sendour Sympathy to all of his family.
Peter was a true icon andwill never be forgotton.
R.I.P.
Ivor Kiernan
November 2005
Aged 61
I am very sad to report the passing of Ivor
who died in November 2005 aged 61 years.
Ivor had been suffering with cancer since February
of that year.Ivor was a member of the MCDT 1971-72.
We pass on our sympathy to his wife
Pat and son Greg.
R.I.P.
John Gould
1948 - 2004
It is with great sadness that I announce the
passing of John. John had been suffering his
illness for six years which he had bravely borne.
John was not only a long standing personal friend
of mine, but also a major part of the success
of our past Reunions of which he was the
Assistant Reunion Secretary.
John served with 7th Para RHA, 36 Heavy AD
Regt RA and with No1 Display RA Recruiting Troop.
On behalf of all past members who remember John
would like to send our sympathy to John's wife
Louise and all of the family.
And as John would always sign off
'Relax Smile', 'Make Someone Happy', 'I'm gone'
Rest in Peace John, I was proud to have been your friend
.I would like to thank the many past members
of the RA Recruiting Troop who attended John's
Funeral Service on Friday 7th January 2005.
Louise and the family were very pleased that you
were able to make the time to be there.
R.I.P.
Rob (Rocky) Lane
19th January 2005
Aged 63
I am sad to report the passing of Rob Lane on
the 19th January 2005 aged 63 years. Rob had been
suffering from Cancer. He served with 36 Regiment
for many years and also with the RA Motor Cycle Display Team.
I am grateful to his Grandson Tom for this information.
We send our sympathy to all the family.
R.I.P.
Ivor Mason
21st February 1990
Aged 41
Ivor joined The Junior Leaders Regiment in
1964 and, on completion of training was posted
to 20 Regiment RA. During his tour there he was
promoted to L/Bdr. In 1971 he was posted to
the then RA Recruiting Troop where he served
in No2 Display Team, moving to the MCDT in 1972.
In 1977, in order to further his career, Ivor was
posted to J Battery. In 1980 he returned to
Woolwich but this time to 35 Cadet Training Team.
Returning to J Battery in 1982, he subsequently
served in 32 GW regiment and 94 Loc Regiment.
Ivor returned to the MCDT as WO2 Team Leader
where his tireless efforts raised the 'Flying Gunners'
to being the best Arena Display in the country.
R.I.P.
Robin Winter-Smith
8th July 1979
Aged 29
Robin or Smudge as he was most likely known
was a member of the MCDT in the early 70's.
He was a great character always with a smile
on his face. When he left the Army he joined the
Magnificent 7 Display Team.
Sadly it was on the 8th July 1979 that Robin
attempted to jump 30 Rolls Royce's at Elstree,
but just did not make it, crashed badly and was
pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
R.I.P.
Alan Garrett
Aged 26
Alan was a member of the MCDT in the early 70's,
joining from either 29 / 95 Commando Regiment.
His nickname was 'Chopper' due to him owning
a BSA 650 with Ape Hanger/Chopper Bars and
high back-rest.
After leaving the Army, Alan took
up the name of Earl Majors and preformed
Motorcycle Stunts at various Shows around the
country. Disaster came down with a shocking
suddenness when Alan lost control of his
motorcycle while trying to jump over 18 cars.
He bounced off the landing ramp as he landed at nearly
90 miles an hour. he somersaulted through the air and
slammed hard into the ground—with his bike on top
of him. He died of multiple injuries.
Spectators at the Hannningfield Horse Show in Essex,
gathered minutes after to gaze at the spot
where Alan's bike struck the ramp.
R.I.P.
Nobby Hooton
4th June 2004
It is my sad duty to announce the death of
Nobby Hooton on the 4th June 2004 of a
Heart Attack. Nobby was a main member of the
MCDT in the late 60's and early 70's.
I am sure that all who knew Nobby will mourn his
passing and remember him with deep affection.
R.I.P.
