It is with the deepest sense of loss and grief that we record the death of Francis Romney on the 26th of January 1979.

Our sincerest sympathy is with Jossy and Nicola and all other members of the family. We will all remember Francis for his many fine qualities, particularly his courage, his integrity, his loyalty and his dedication.

Throughout his Regimental service, he always did his utmost for those he commanded and served and won the respect, admiration and affection of all who served with him.

Francis first joined the 4th Hussars with the Supplementary Reserve before the war and was immediately mobilized when the war started. He then went overseas with the Regiment to the Middle East and to Greece.

During the campaign in Greece, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.

With many other members of the Regiment, he was then a Prisoner of War and did not rejoin the Regiment until the latter part of 1945. He then served with the Regiment as Squadron Leader and Second-in-Command in Italy, Germany, Malaya, Hong Kong and at home.

One of his greatest achievements was the part he played in the amalgamation of the 4th Hussars and 8th Hussars who form the Regiment as it is today. As Colonel Sir George Kennard has written: ‘No man could have a prouder monument than The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars‘. His dedication and thoroughness, attention to detail in planning and preparation — all with no thought for himself — ensured that the amalgamation was such a successful one.

Francis personified for many of us all the finest qualities of a cavalry officer — brave, chivalrous, courteous, a fine horseman, always ready to help others, always immaculately dressed, not from personal vanity but because he knew he represented the Regiment, and thus the Army and the Country.

He took enormous pleasure and pride in the company and achievements of his friends, and for his friends, it was always a joy to be with him — his gaiety, his kindness and sheer enjoyment of life and people.

He was, in sum, a devoted member of the Regiment, a true friend, good, considerate and kind, a tireless worker, a man whom the world can ill spare today.

The gap he leaves cannot be filled, but for the joy and gaiety, he brought us, the example of conduct and standards he set us, for the unique contribution he made, we shall always be thankful. MENTE ET MANU — Francis lived those words.

Related topics

  1. A short history of The 4th Hussars
  2. Middle East (Greece and Crete) timeline