Reg died in 2003, aged 83.

He enlisted at Cheltenham into the 2nd Royal Gloucester Hussars on 1 September 1939. He was employed as a driver/mechanic in ‘H’ Squadron which, at that time, was stationed at Cheltenham.

He was promoted to lance corporal in August 1940 and to corporal in November 1940. His promotion to sergeant followed in January 1943.

He attended a D and M instructor’s course in July – August 1940 and got a good pass.

He embarked on 15 August 1941 with his Regiment for the Middle East, where he took part in the desert battles that decimated the Regiment. After El Alamein, he, together with approximately 80 other 2 RGH, was transferred to the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, then stationed in Cyprus.

At the end of June 1943, the 8th Hussars sailed from Famagusta to Beirut. The Regiment was employed in the Barce and Benghazi area of Cyrenaica as the District Mobile Reserve. On 10 and 16 November 1943, the Regiment sailed from Alexandria for Liverpool and Gourock.

He married Joan on 23 December 1943.

After leave, the Regiment established itself at West Tofts Camp near Thetford and commenced training for the invasion.

On 27 April 1944, the Regiment moved to Bognor. Reg landed in Normandy on D+2. He took part in the battles up to and including St Jost (20/21 January 1945), where he was seriously wounded and his operator killed. After recovering in hospital he discharged himself and rejoined the Regiment in Berlin.

He was released to the Z (T) Reserve on 16 June 1946 with a disability pension. He was discharged from his reserve liability on 30 June 1959.

Among his five medals was the Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp.

Before joining the 2nd Royal Gloucester Hussars, he had been an architect’s assistant and is thought to have gone back to that profession on his release.

Like all of his fellow 2nd Royal Gloucester Hussars, he was a much-valued member of his adopted Regiment, and they were proud to have them.

He re-joined the Regimental Association in December 1989.

Related topics

  1. A short history of The 8th Hussars
  2. North-West Europe 1944-45 timeline