Bob Baxter died peacefully on 23 October 1999.
He enlisted into the General Service Corps on 30 November 1945 and after training was transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps in February 1946. He was posted to the 4th Hussars and sailed with them on the troopship Dilwara to Malaya in August 1948.
He saw active service in the jungles of Malaya where he served as a troop Corporal in ‘C’ Squadron. He also saw service in Hong Kong, Singapore, Aden, Brunei and BAOR. He transferred to the QRIH on amalgamation.
In his early days Bob punched above his weight as a Regimental boxer at featherweight. He was also an accomplished darts and snooker player and represented the Corporals’ and Sergeants’ Messes in the many Garrison tournaments.
Bob had a sharp and enquiring mind which became evident in his favourite pastime crosswords. Clues such as ‘g-s-g-e (9,4)’ scrambled eggs and ‘hijklmno’ water or H₂0 which made little sense to most were quickly and quietly explained. This interest was put to good military use in Malaya where one-time cypher pads were used for rear link communications on the rear link to RHQ.
Leaving the Army in 1970 Bob put his sharp mind to work and carved out a good second career with the Liverpool and Victoria Insurance Society where he worked until 1992 when he retired. Bob loved meeting people in a busy office and driving to an appointment with his clients.
He was respected, trusted and admired by his work colleagues, friends and family. Advice was something that people would visit Bob for, even after retirement, it was something he could not walk away from.
He was a happy man who led a full life with a passion for travel, driving, reading and crosswords. His interest in crosswords continued almost until his dying day. While lying in bed in hospice with his family around him while away time discussing clues to the daily crossword a voice from beneath the blankets said “Try-‘. His mind was still sharp. It was his body that let him down.
He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and serving with him. Bob’s first priority was always his family and our deepest sympathies go to his wife Betty, sons Robert and Keith and daughter Lesley. His headstone lies in the cemetery at Grantham. Carved on it and painted in colour is a six-inch Hussar in full dress. Such was his love of his regiment.
