From Len Keeling

From Len Keeling

From Len Keeling

From Len Keeling

It is once again my sad duty to inform you all of the death of Maj Paul Dutton Glos/RGBW
Paul passed sway on 30th June 2026 after a short fight against the dreaded Cancer.
Anyone wishing to contact Mrs Lucie Dutton may contact Debbie Hards at the Rifles Taunton Office who will supply you with address etc
Funeral details will follow later.
As ever
Len RU

Capt Len Keeling has informed the Association of the death of ex Cpl Graham Fish, whose funeral was held at Gloucester Crematorium on 11 June 2026.  The Association extends its condolences to Mr Fish’s family.

The Association has been informed by his widow, Margaret, that Capt Timothy Lapage-Norris died at his care home on Saturday 13^th June 2026 at the age of 91 years, funeral details to follow.

Maurice Bradshaw, who fought with 1 Glosters at the Battle of Imjin River, has died aged 96 years. The youngest of two sons, he was born in 1929 at The Crescent in Lifton, South Devon. He left school to learn his trade as a plumbing and heating engineer and in August 1950 was called up for national service. In 1951, he set sail with 1 Glosters for Korea.

On arrival he was moved by the devastation, noting that the civilians were in a dire state and starving. There was little that could be done, but the Glosters shared their rations. On 21April, in the opening phase of the Battle of Imjin, Maurice was a member of Lt Guy Temple’s platoon, which caused enormous damage to the lead elements of the Chinese crossing the river. For the next three days the battle raged, as the Glosters fought off wave after wave of massed attacks. Heavily outnumbered, the pressure was unrelenting &, as casualties mounted, the Glosters steadily withdrew to higher ground. He recalled the hill as being ‘very steep with resupply extremely difficult and the Korean porters performing magnificently’. 

By the 25^{th of} April the Glosters, surrounded and low on ammunition, were ordered to break out. Armed with his trusty Bren gun, Maurice made his bid for freedom but realised that the game was up when a grenade exploded behind him and a burst from a Chinese ‘burp gun’ cut up the path around his feet. Over 500 Glosters were now POW – many injured.  More than 2 years of terrible captivity lay ahead, beginning with a 7-week forced march to a prison camp in North Korea. Supplies of food, water & medicine were pitiful. Along the route the column was brutalised by sadistic guards & those who couldn’t keep up were left to die.  

On arrival at their camp the POW were held in appalling conditions, with primitive sanitation & medical support. At night, they crammed 10 to a hut, sleeping head to toe. During the day they were subjected to hours of communist propaganda. They survived by sticking together and supporting each other. Maurice’s best friend (Jack Cox) had been a prisoner in WW2, so ended up spending nearly eight years of his life as a POW. Few letters made it to them, but inside one was a photograph of a pretty girl called Beryl, who became the hut pin up.

In July 1953, with the signing of the Armistice, the POWs returned home, receiving a hero’s welcome sailing into Southampton. Maurice caught the train to Launceston, was met by his mother, and brother and driven to Lifton where the whole village turned out in his honour. Back home, he was brought back down to earth by an Inland Revenue letter which stated ‘board and lodgings supplied by North Korea’ would be deducted from his back pay!

Maurice returned to work at WH Kinsman and lived at The Crescent in Lifton until his death. He was a loyal member of the Regimental Association, sorted out the plumbing on the house of his old Commanding Officer (Lt Col Carne VC DSO) and returned to Korea 3 times. Soon after his return he met Beryl, to thank her. They fell in love, married and he would often remark ‘the best thing that happened to me was Korea - that was how I found my wife.’ 

Beryl predeceased Maurice. They are survived by daughter Heather, 2 grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. There remain alive 4 Glosters who fought at the Battle of Imjin River. 

David Eric Scovell was born on 27 January 1942 and joined the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment in May 1961.  He completed his 22 years of Regular service and left the Army on 16 July 1983.  However, the Army never left his heart and the for 17 years he was a Royal British Legion Standard Bearer.

After leaving the Regiment, he worked as a stores manager with Clarkes Instruments Ltd at Old Sarum airfield until 2015.  Sadly, later in his retirement, he suffered from Alzheimer’s and he died at his nursing home in Amesbury on 25 April 2026.  David’s funeral took place at the Salisbury Crematorium on 13 May 2026.

David and his wife had two daughters, one of whom sadly died in 2011 at the early age of 32 years.  His other daughter, Mrs Julie Strong, survives him and the Association extends its condolences to her and her family.

Members can now upload photos that they might feel might be of interest to other members.

So how is this done? 1st log into the website, then navigate to the "Members Portal" in the top menu there you will find an item entitled "Upload photos" select that and create a category in your name then you'll be able to upload images/photos. I would suggest that create albums as you go.

1.  Introduction: Finally, we can hold the Reunion on Back Badge Day 21st March 2026 in the WOs & Sgts Mess at Imjin Barracks Innsworth Gloucester GL113 1HW.

2. Anyone who has worn, or wears the Back Badge, and their guests, are welcome to attend. Any widows are also encouraged to attend.
3. Please Note: To gain access into the Barracks we intend to hold a block booking system with the Guard Room to ensure speedy access. To that end could you please return vehicle details i.e. Make, Model and Registration Number. Drivers will be directed to the various car parks and disabled passengers may alight at the Mess Main Entrance, whether it be by private vehicle or taxi. There will be no access into the Barracks before 1300hrs.
4. Background: Some key points for the day include:
· Church Service at St Mary de Lode. The service will be conducted by The Rev Canon Nikki Arthy accompanied by ex-members of the Glosters Band and friends, led by Rojer Phelps. Standard Bearers will also be in attendance. Please Note those attending please be seated by 1115hrs, the service will commence at 1130hrs.
· Veterans March through the City. Immediately after the service, the Veterans and Gloucestershire ACF will form up under the Parade Marshal Mr Anthony Jones (TJ). The Parade will then proceed from Archdeacon Street and turning left into Westgate Street, wheeling right into Southgate Street and then right again into Longsmith Street where the parade will Fall Out.
· Transport. This will once again be supplied and driven by Mrs Shirley Casey to ferry from Church/Longsmith Street to Imjin Barracks. There will be a short delay between the two. Could you please annotate your transport requirements on the proforma.
· Gathering. On arrival at the WOs & Sgts Mess you will be checked in and given a seating plan and then directed to the bar waiting area to await the bugle call to proceed to the main hall for lunch. The mess caterers are arranging a three-course luncheon at a cost of £30.00 per person (see menu below), this includes an aperitif on arrival at the bar, a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine on each table. Please indicate your seating preference. The lounge bar will remain open after lunch until late and there will be a finger buffet provided for the night owls.
lease book early to avoid disappointment.
Menu: Starter: Chicken Terrine with Apricot and Pancetta
Main Course: Roasted Chicken with Roasted Herb New Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables
Dessert: Treacle Tart with Custard, Tea and Coffee
5. A collection will be taken for the raffle and various gratuities so please bring a little cash. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Yours sincerely
Len Keeling
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mobile: 07414 945062
Please pay by electronic transfer to: Gloucestershire Regimental Association
Sort Code: 30-99-50 Account No: 38239962
Please include a reference on payment: e.g. Smith x 3
Cheques made payable to: Gloucestershire Regimental Association
13 Sunnyside Park, Claines, Worcester, WR3 7SP
PLEASE E-MAIL OR POST THIS PROFORMA BY 6th MARCH 2026.
Your Name:
Name of Guests:
E-Mail:
Telephone:
Car Registration & Description:
Seating Preference:
All are encouraged to attend the Church Service beginning at 1130hrs and then participate in the march through Gloucester.
Will you attend the Church Service? Yes/No
Will you be marching? Yes/No
Do you need transport and if so, how many seats are required to Imjin Barracks:
Do you have any special dietary needs? If so, please make this clear and we shall do our best to meet your requirement.
I look forward to seeing you all there.