Michael Schwabe died in a hospital in London on 21st September 1986.
He had been flown home for treatment from Oman where he was serving with the Sultan’s Armed Forces.
Michael joined the 3rd Hussars in 1953. He left The Queen’s Own Hussars in 1972 after a varied career on Regimental Duty and on the Staff, mainly in the Ministry of Defence.
During his service at RD, he was Assistant Adjutant/10, Squadron Adjutant of ‘C’ Squadron in Aden in 1960 he was ideally suited for the appointment after a previous tour of duty with the Aden Protectorate Levies and 21/c of ‘A’ Squadron which he later commanded in Singapore.
He was immensely popular, artistic, literate and an extremely talented, if slightly eccentric, officer. He quickly made his mark particularly on becoming Assistant Adjutant. It was he who designed the barometer which was positioned above the door of the Command Half Track. It showed not the weather but the current temperament of the Commanding Officer, which could be somewhat volatile during exercises.
His innate sense of fun and humour came to the fore when he decided that the pace of life in the Regiment, and in BAOR, was becoming too hot. He reasoned that there were not enough hours in the day or days in the week. This resulted in a draft letter to Bde HQ suggesting that another day should be added to each week. It would be called “Hellday” and used to do all those tasks too difficult or unpleasant for the other days.
The letter was actually signed by an unsuspecting 2 i/c, standing in for the Colonel. Some hours later he realised what he had done and, after a frantic search through RHQ, the letter was found and stopped.
Michael drew and painted very well. Few will forget his illustrations in the Journal or designs for Christmas Cards, nor the murals in various night clubs where the Regiment was stationed. Many will also recall his hilarious articles in the Journal.
After a rather unsatisfactory period in civilian life, Michael joined the Sultans Armed Forces and spent his last few years in this interesting part of the world. It is ironic that he extended his tour for an extra two years to earn enough money to give himself at least a year’s Sabbatical to travel, paint and write.
His tragic and untimely death has deprived all his many friends of a marvellously talented companion.
Our sympathy goes out to his two sisters and his brother Alec, who himself served in the Regiment. Michael’s passing leaves the world a sadder and duller place.
