David Crowson, C Coy, 49B, RIP

Gentlemen, Yesterday four Sept49er's, Max Warwick, Pete Henry, Jeff Cook and myself attended the funeral of our friend and colleague David Crowson, at the South Bristol crematorium. In the way that these occasions can, it was a lovely warm celebration of David's life, and Sharon, David's daughter, told us that she had learnt an awful lot about her father during our visit.

First, with the permission of the family, on behalf of the Sept49er's, I read out an eulogy during the committal service which was very well received.Afterwards at the reception, we briefed the whole family on the Army Apprentice National Memorial, pointing out that David's name is to be found on a Comtab, thus the memorial, when dedicated on the 7th September would be a good place to visit. On behalf of the AOBA we presented Sharon with the AANM information pack, a full transcript of the text to be inscribed on the memorial monolith, including TeeCee's poem, a copy of the selected reading to be used during the memorial dedication service and a copy of the eulogy.

In addition Pete and Max presented a set of digital copies of photographs taken of David during his apprentice training, several of which were new to Sharon. Finally, Jeff Cook , on behalf of the AOBA, presented to Sharon the family memorial scroll.

This is the truth the poet sings,

That a Sorrow’s Crown of Sorrow is remembering

happier things.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sixty-one years ago, on the 9th September 1949, one hundred and thirty five boys passed through the Arborfield Army Apprentices School’s famous gates for the first time, to begin a three-year apprenticeship.

Many of those boys came from an underprivileged and chaotic background. However the ethos that controlled and directed the activities of a system that turned boys into skilled soldier-tradesmen had at the heart of its intellectual model the Christian principles of “Character and Loyalty” and the military virtues of “ Discipline, Steadfastness and Devotion to Duty.

These are not just words; we believed in them and lived by them. The shared experience of education, training and comradeship also gave to birth to something quite unique. We became a “Band of Brothers” the Sept49’er. Proof of that bond is demonstrated here today by the presence of Peter Henry, Max Warwick, Jeff Cook and myself not only to celebrate David’s life, but to ensure standards are fully maintained, when David marches onto the celestial parade ground as a soldier should.

David’s departure was not unexpected, as he had been in full time nursing care for over two years. He bore his illness with courage and fortitude. He always found it highly amusing and very droll that the Wills Woodbines he used to smoke came from the factory site upon which his nursing home was built. Max Warwick and I maintained contact by phone, e-mail, and visits as and when we could.

There is a poem inscribed onto the Army Apprentice National Memorial that contains the line” always young, laughing full of fun”. It certainly was an accurate description of how we found him during visits even though bedridden and dependent on oxygen.

David had a successful career, in that he became a Weapons Artificer and rose to the rank of Warrant officer Class one. In the twilight of his career, with special permission from the MOD, he held the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Major to a Royal Artillery Regiment for six months until a suitable candidate was found. A very unusual appointment and a clear demonstration of his military qualities.

Our “ Brother” David was a typical ex-boy and a good egg.

Gordon Bonner .....

Arborfield Old Boys' Association