Jock Ferrier, who was born in 1921, joined the 4th Hussars in 1946, after the previous service with the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry.
I knew Jock (Tony to his family) for over forty years and there are few men whom I have admired or liked more.
When we first served together in The 4th Hussars in Malaya, we were both in ‘A’ Squadron commanded by Loopy Kennard, from whom I took over.
Jock had been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry during the war, and I was soon to discover why.
After an ambush on a railway line, he coolly and efficiently defused a homemade and highly dangerous terrorist mine.
It was an example of that rare ‘two o’clock in the morning’ courage. He quickly showed his leadership and administrative ability, and later became SQMS of ‘A’ Squadron.
John Paley, who was second-in-command, has described how Jock’s thoughts and actions were always concerned with the well-being of others, never with his own.
His whole career with the Regiment was characterised by his efficiency, devotion to duty, good humour and knack of getting on with and getting the best out of everyone.
These qualities soon brought him the responsibilities of RQMS and later Quartermaster. He was one of those generous-hearted Quartermasters, who saw it as his duty to anticipate requirements and always have available what was needed, plus something extra, and then without hesitation or fuss, to give it.
He always wanted to help, never to hinder; he had a kind of zest for life and work, irrepressible good humour, an infectious chuckle, absolute loyalty and dedication, which spread his enthusiasm and spirit to others.
If you went into his office for any reason and spent some time with him, you came away again uplifted in spirit, full of confidence in human nature, and almost as if you had just drunk a glass of vintage champagne.
His contribution to the Regiment and the Army while still serving was incalculable.
Then when he retired, by great good fortune he became Secretary of the Regimental Association and continued to give the most invaluable service.
It was then, for I had just become Colonel, that I began to work even more closely with him, and indeed saw him day in, day out, at his duties. It was an unparalleled record of success — moving the Home HQ no less than three times, always seeing to every detail with meticulous thoroughness, concentrating on the things that mattered — that is, the people in the Regiment, those serving, those about to join or to leave, Old Comrades and their families.
He would be busy organizing the Memorial Parades, helping those in difficulty, arranging the Association Dinners and the Remembrance Services, producing the Journal, watching our finances, ensuring a steady flow of recruits, helping with the flow of young officers. He was a dynamo of service to the Regiment and its members. And through it all, he maintained a warmheartedness, a dedicated sincerity, an incomparable cheerfulness and absolute integrity, which communicated themselves to everyone and which we all so much valued and appreciated.
During all this time he gave to me personally the utmost assistance and loyalty. He became not merely a deeply admired colleague, but a well-loved friend. I have always maintained that Jock would have commanded the Regiment with honour and distinction. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He understood that 90 per cent of the business of command is knowing the people, helping them, training them and ensuring that whatever has to be done, must be done well.
After his second retirement, Jock continued to serve on the Regimental Association Committee and to give most valuable help with the newly established Museum at Eastbourne.
Jock died on 21st January 1990.
