Capt Clive Ireson, commissioned into The Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire) from Mons Officer Cadet School in 1966 on a Short Service Commission, died in the early hours of 28 March 2024.
Clive was born in 1947 in a cottage overlooking The Crammer in Devizes and was Christened in St. James’ Church. His father joined the Wiltshire Regiment in Le Marchant Barracks, Devizes in 1926 and rose through the ranks to be commissioned in 1943. So Clive was a true Moonraker.
He joined 1 DERR in Clifton Barracks, Minden in March 1966 and his first role was to be OC of the Continuation Training Platoon for recruits arriving in the Battalion from the Wessex Depot, Exeter, who needed additional training to fit into a mechanised battalion in BAOR. He moved to command 2 Platoon vice 2nd Lt Snook the following September and in August 1968 Lt Ireson was posted to the Wessex Depot to command a recruit platoon. While at Exeter he was granted a Special Regular Commission.
In 1969 Clive returned to A Coy 1 DERR, commanding 3 Platoon during jungle training in Malaya and then in British Honduras, before assuming command of the Anti Tank Platoon in 1971. He married Caroline Chaundy in 1970. In 1973 he captained the 1 DERR shooting team at Bisley and was promoted to Captain, before being posted to command 27 Army Youth Team in Devizes in 1974.
Clive rejoined 1 DERR in 1976 as the Battalion moved from Shoeburyness in Essex to Warminster. There he took over as OC the APC Platoon, a high profile and demanding appointment in view of the Battalion’s role as Demonstration Battalion for the School of Infantry. He retired from the Army in 1978 as the Battalion was posted from Warminster to Osnabruck, West Germany.
In civilian life Clive set up his own chauffeuring business. He retained his cheerful and positive personality and frequently attended the Officers’ Club summer lunch in The Wardrobe as well as the Bath Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club. He was a keen supporter of Bath and England rugby. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023, Clive lived latterly with his son Steve and his daughter-in-law, who helped to care for him as he became increasingly house bound. In addition to his son Steve, Clive also leaves his other son, Mark and daughter, Lyn.
Clive chose to have a direct cremation so there will not be a funeral service but, in keeping with his wishes, his family will hold a Memorial Service in St. James’ Church in Devizes. Details will be published once known.
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