Geoff Lumsden

[Gilbert Bridger]

Geordie, hope life is good in the great Tank Park in the sky. A great charactor, was my RSMI down a the Signal School 94-96. R.I.P mate

[Dave Henley]

Gilbert

As I said a few days ago, nice to hear from you again and hope you are enjoying life in the land of the big steaks!

Geoff was best man at my wedding in 1974. I'll never forget straight after the reception he took off to Wilmslow(?) in his dad's car to pick up Denise and bring her back to Fleetwood for the night's entertainment. However, just as he arrived in the town he collided with another car and wrote his dad's car off and we never did see him back at the wedding. Later, when we discussed what had happened, he mentioned that his dad was none too pleased about his car but Geoff being Geoff gave his cheeky little smile and said "well, it could have been worse, at least the cops didn't breathalyse me".

Rest in peace in the big tank park in the sky Geoff, you'll never be forgotten down here.

I'll post a few more memories of Geoff on the remember when site a bit later.

Dave

[Tiny Hart]

Geoff and I joined JLR together on the same day ( different Sqns), passed off together ( 2 years later) on the same day, but only ever met and talked for the first time when we joined 1 RTR together (Osnabruck Jan 73) on the same day. Bumped into him at the amalgamation parade in Tidworth & at Bovvy when I was on terminal leave and he had just got his 2 year extension at the Signal School.

Travelled up to his funeral with Mick "Dinger" Bell, a sad day but something I'm glad I did not miss. He was only 1 month younger than me, makes you face up to your own mortality.

[Mick Bell]

I recall a few years ago, taking all the old boys from our branch of The R.T.R.A. to Bovvy we started at the museum and then onto the garrison W.O.'S & Sgt's mess for lunch and bevvy's. We were met by Geoff and Denise everyone was introduced by me and drinks were ordered all covered by Geoff who being traditional would of course accept no contributions.
The next thing we knew, Geoff had gone to ask the steward on duty where the scran was! He became a little agitated and sent, the corporal for the cook Sergeant,well eventually the chief slop jockey turns up.
By this time Geoff was fuming,the Sergeant muttered something about there not being enough funds available for the likes of veterans.
Geoff absolutely hit the roof and said if it was'n't for the likes of the Veterans he would not be there.The luckless Sgt. was told to find something quick and to report to Geoff on Monday morning.We eventually tucked into a spread fit for a King.The old boys cheered Geoff and told him that he was a true R.S.M.Geoff informed them the Sgt. would get extras and if there was a shortfall in the catering budget he would also make good for that.
Geoff, a Soldiers soldier and a good mate.
Dinger ;-) R.I.P. Geoff

[Mike Kemble]

Someone told me at reunion 10 that Geordie was no longer with us, when did he die?

[Dave Henley]

Mike

I believe he went in '88, the result, I think, of a heart attack.

Dave

[Tiny Hart]

Geoff died in 1997, November i think it was.

[robert jones]

Just a quick personal memory about Geoff,I recall we were practicing for Bugout to our bombing up locations somewhere in deepest darkest Herford, and we had to drive the Saracens into pre,SO CALLED,recceied postions,
Dinger you may well recall this incident,it was the occasion that,Geoff and I ended up spending the night,in the back of said Saracen stuck on a felled tree stump,this was due to Geoffs, over confidence in his driving ability,Course it will go over it??????
As a result you christened him "THE FOREST FOX",Amongst other things,and we had to have the L.A.D Wrecker out the next A.M to pull us unceremoniosly from the mire,
At least we got the day off,
Good times,unfortunately never to be experienced again.

[robert jones]

Just a quick personal memory about Geoff,I recall we were practicing for Bugout to our bombing up locations somewhere in deepest darkest Herford, and we had to drive the Saracens into pre,SO CALLED,recceied postions,
Dinger you may well recall this incident,it was the occasion that,Geoff and I ended up spending the night,in the back of said Saracen stuck on a felled tree stump,this was due to Geoffs, over confidence in his driving ability,Course it will go over it??????
As a result you christened him "THE FOREST FOX",Amongst other things,and we had to have the L.A.D Wrecker out the next A.M to pull us unceremoniosly from the mire,
At least we got the day off,
Good times,unfortunately never to be experienced again.

[Alan Levi Hodges]

Still got my picture on the wall of Bsqn Senior Ranks in Hildesheim next to the old Stillbrew smelly!!

Lightning Clarke,Gaz Walker,Gorgeuos me, Tiffy Phillips,Marty Lawson
SSM Hoss Woolley BEM and good old G as SQMS

They were good times , very special and were over too soon

RIP "Q", thanks for the memories

And if anyone sees Denise and the family,make sure u say hello

Levi :evil:

[Gus Daniells]

All

Geordie died on the 6th December 1997 after moving to Winsford in Cheshire. He was buried on 11 December at St Chads Church, Winsford. Denise still lives here and I will pass on every ones regards.

Gus

[Nigel lewis]

I was Geordie's troop leader from 73 - 76 in NI and Cyprus.

He and Cpl Nobby Clarckson (also now deceased) were a FSC crew. They had 2 incidents in Cyprus, the first involved a spillage of petrol, a metal can and a stone. The petrol caught fire when they were washing the Air Cleaner of the Ferrett and both of them got badly burned feet and legs. So bad they were given morphine shots. I arrived at the out station from patrol to find them sat at either end of a bath with their feet in cold water - all Geordie could say was "Nobby stop making ripples in the water it hurts". They both spent several days in hospital and Nobby caught pnuemonia when he got back to the troop.

The second event was when we were moving in convoy from Paphos to Dhekalia to return the FSCs at the end of our tour. It was 0600 and I was leading, we came to Aphrodities rock and the road was clear up hill to the SBA and Nobby and Geordie pulled level with me and started to race. We went to the top of the hill and at the last minute I told Colin Adams - my driver - to let them go as a bend was approaching. They led through the bend and hit grape juice causing the vehicle to wiggle a bit. Colin saw the wobble and hit the breaks causing us to spin out of control off the road where we rolled to a halt under an olive tree and caught fire. Its nearly 30 years now but I still have the photograph of the burning FSC in my office to remind me every day how lucky I was.

I new Geordie throughout his career - he was a great soldier and Regimental character.

[Mike Kemble]

damn i hate this section, it really brings it all back and to see such fine people - gone! Sort of sucks life out of you a bit. Thoughts.

[Gilbert Bridger]

I agree Mike. We will all go that way some day. Then we will all meet up and party till we drop. Regimental Parade......on the Great Big Tank Park in the sky. I spoke to Denise Lumsden the other day on the phone. My Wife and her keep in touch. She is in fine fettle, all the boys are grown up and married. I think she is a Granma also.

Gilby

[Mike Kemble]

Cheer Gil

[Dave Harmon]

Geordie was a Full Screw when I was serving. I am saddened to hear this.news.,