Death of Ex Bugle Major John Powell - Eulogy by Major Ron Cassidy MBE - THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

RE: Death of Ex Bugle Major John Powell

Date: Jan 9, 2009

JP was my bugle major in germany great boss and a good friend, you will be missed. will meet you in the counter march R I P Boss.

from bryan lane over here in Gibraltar.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

It was my pleasure and an honour to serve alongside John in Recce Plt in Berlin, and for a short time as a bugler in the 3rd. He was well loved by many Riflemen and will be sadley missed. May I offer my sincere condolences to Johns family. God bless you John.
Bill Gledhill

Date: Jan 9, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family.

Another brother Rfn sits on high

Rest in Peace John. Until we all meet again

All your friends at RGJA Milton Keynes Branch

Pop Sturman

Date: Jan 9, 2009

it is great sadness. it was my pleasure and an honour to have serve alongside john in 3R.G.J. GOOD NIGHT SLEEP WELL REST IN PEACE OLD SOLDER, YOU DUTY IS DONE. CONDOLENCES TO ALL YOUR FAMILY.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

So saddened to hear of the passing of JP. I first met John when he was a Plt Sgt with A Coy 3RGJ in Celle in 1969. As someone put it so eloquently before He was a Diamond Geezer. Never at a loss for words,witty with a brilliant sense of humour.A True Gentleman and a True GreenJacket.The world is going to be a poorer place without Johnny Powell. My sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy go to Jenny and the Girls at this sad time. Gone to join the great muster in the sky. Rest in Peace John.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

Pom and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Jenny and all her family . We cannot believe John has gone, and will find it hard not to expect him to stroll through the entrance of the OrwellHotel next March, saying hello to everybody there.

A good friend, he will be sorely missed.

Ron, thanks for the 'potted history', great.

Del

Date: Jan 9, 2009

I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny. I had a word with him at the RB memorial in London and as always his mad infectious laugh and calm reassuring smile that I will always remember were there. God bless you Johnny thanks for the memories bud.

Jenny my sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family.

RIP

Ron

Date: Jan 9, 2009

saddened to hear the news, a good fellow rifleman.
jenny our thoughts are with you and the family.
may god bless and take care of you john. rest in peace

Date: Jan 9, 2009

I am deeply saddend at the passing of Jonny ( young durch ) Powell a true mate and Great Bugle Major . This man made such a impresion to all that knew him and a better man and father would be hard to find . he took on the roll of BM from Tony Ramsey and turned the buglers of 3 rgj into the finest buglers and GPMG gunners in the Light Division . And i am proud to have been one of Jonny,s lads and carried his stick and sword with pride
my deepest sympathy and condolences to Jenny and children at their and our loss within the Green Jacket Family . Good night boss say hi to Jacko for me.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

It was a shock to be told of Jonny's death he has achieved so much in his Green Jacket and yeoman career it does'nt seem right that he cannot enjoy all of that with his children & Grandchildren because he died so young, His family can be proud of him.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

jenny
how can I into words how I am feeling at the moment gutted is the nearest that I can get to it it seems like only yesterday that we walked back from Gordons party. I will miss the finger greeting but most of Ill miss John a true Greenjacket he will be sadly missed by those who knew him Helena sends her deepest sympathy.

Date: Jan 9, 2009

i am very sorry to hear about jonny powels death it has come as a great shock to me i served under jonny for a long time and will miss seeing him at the reunions my condolences go out to his wife and all the family ...paul arney

Date: Jan 9, 2009

WHERE DO YOU START WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A 'LEGEND'.
I WAS IN THE BAND WHEN JOHN BECAME BUGLE MAJOR AND FROM THE START YOU KNEW YOU WERE AROUND SOMEBODY SPECIAL.
TO TRY AND PUT IN TO WORDS WHAT THIS MAN HAD DONE FOR THE BAND AND BUGLES OF THE 3rd BATTALION THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, JOHN AND JENNY PUT ME ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW WHEN I POPPED AROUND FOR A BREW AND TO SWAP BOOKS, THE ADVICE I RECEIVED FROM THEM IN THE NICEST WAY POINTED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
JP( OR WHEN HE WASN'T LOOKING 'YOUNG DURCH') ON BEHALF OF ALL THE BANDSMEN THAT HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH YOU 'THANK YOU.

TOM GOUDIE

Date: Jan 9, 2009

Johnny Powell, one of those great mates! And although we met very infrequently ovet the last 20 years, what we did and shared in the our early years as soldiers will always keep us all close.

JP was a great Rifleman and a true Green Jacket. His wonderful sense of humour, ready smile, (in the worst of conditions), and cheeky, but respectful disposition typified the very nature of a (Green Jacket) Rifleman.

Jenny & family, Gill, Claire-Marie, Caroline and I hold you in our thoughts and prayers.

The jobs done John - Stand Easy Bugle Major.

Dave & Gill Smith

Date: Jan 9, 2009

So sad to hear of John's death. I last saw him at the Memorial Service at the
Arboretum and introduced my young son to him. Our passing comments to my boy was that John was one of the smartest dressed soldiers in the Bn.

He then pointed out that his hankie in his top pocket was RB, as he thought we were some of the last RB members still in the 3rd Bn - my claim was that I was in IJLB as a J/Rfn 3 RGJ (RB) and John said that was good enough!, what a gent.

A true friend and he will be sadly missed.

Danny Healy

Date: Jan 10, 2009

So sad to hear of Johns passing. Our thoughts are with Jenny and the family.

John was a real diamond, and I far as I am aware, he was the only Warrant Officer to hold the appointment of "Drill Sergent" whilst we were serving in Berlin with 3RGJ, and unknown to John Mealin, he had his own personal key the the Bn Stationary Store!!!

RIP John.

Date: Jan 10, 2009

Great sadness to hear about the passing away of John. He was without doubt,the finest Bugle Major that 3 RGJ Band had the honour and pleasure to work with. He was always so positive with his outlook to life, and never failed to raise the moral of the Band and Bugles with his great sense of humour,his witticisms and jokes. He will be fondly missed by everyone that served along side him. Our thourghts are with Jenny and family at this very very sad time.

Date: Jan 10, 2009

So shocked and saddened with the news of Johns death. Deepest sympathy to Jenny and all the family.

Date: Jan 11, 2009

Such sad news. It was an honour to have known you. Goodnight and God Bless John.

Date: Jan 11, 2009

Very sad to hear the news about Johhny. I knew him fairly well, both through the battalion and when he was at Pembroe College. I used to call in when I walked that beat, it was a joy and pleasure to see him with the students. He would make them stand to attention, and sometimes march. He carried a stick, much like the Regimental cane and looked impressive. The students loved him to bits, as we all did. He will be sadly missed at Felixstowe, and Winchester.
My condolences to Jenny and family. So many of our brothers-in-arms have now gone, I dread opening this site.

Date: Jan 11, 2009

So sorry to hear this terrible news,John was a great man and a true green jacket he will be missed by all that knew him.
Our deepest sypathy and condollences to jenny and the family.
R.I.P JOHN

Date: Jan 12, 2009

RIP John, condolences to all your family,what a great bloke, you just have to read all these obituries to see how much he was liked and respected

Date: Jan 12, 2009

To say that I am shocked is putting it a bit fine. I can only remember John so full of life that I find all this hard to believe. How can he be replaced? The answer is he cant. I have never in my time known a smarter rifleman, he invented the word dagging, I am sure that he would have creases in his Pyjamas.

My condolences to Jenny and family

RIP old friend

Date: Jan 12, 2009

How very sad we were to learn of Johnny's passing. We had some wonderful times together and I was very proud to have played a small part in his career. Our thoughts are with Jenny and the family of course and the world is a sadder place without him. God Bless

Date: Jan 12, 2009

So very sad to hear of the death John (Johnny) Powell. Such a terrible loss to all whoever knew him. My deepest sympathy to all of Johnny's family at this difficult time. Black and Green through and through. R.I.P. Bugle Major.

Date: Jan 12, 2009

The first marching band rehearsal I had as part of 3RGJ Band, the Bugle Major came up to me and asked me my name. I said Bandsman Turner Sir. He said 'No need to be so formal, whats your first name?', I said Dai (thinking this is easy) He said 'Good my name's John, you can call me Bugle Major'. It was one of those moments where you had to be there, but in that short period I new he was a top bloke, and he was and still is. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to know and work with you. God bless you John and goodnight. Our sympathy and thoughts are with you Jenny, and family at this time. X

Date: Jan 12, 2009

So sad and shocked to hear about the passing away of a Gentleman and Friend to all who knew him. My Condolences to his Family, when I read about the Award recently, it was richly deserved .

R.I.P . John.

Date: Jan 13, 2009

It was with great sadness that Jan and I heard of the passing of John. Our thoughts are with Jenny and the family at this time. A true gentleman, and a wonderful man, a great 'Hammers' fan, his family have lost a great treasure. Rest in peace John.
Tom & Jan Dooner,The Railway Tavern, Stratford.

Date: Jan 13, 2009

We are very shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of John.

As a new Bandmaster he was so helpful and supportive to me. I will always value his advice, friendship and sense of humour.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jenny and family.