Lt Col Tony Cornish BEM

[Nigel lewis]

I was called on Sunday by Paul Cornish to hear the sad news that Tony had passed to the Green Fields on Thu last. His funeral is on 4th Jul in Wiltshire at 1500. If anyone wishes to attend I would be happy to contact the family and supply further details. Tony was QM(T) and QM 1 RTR and was the finest hammer thrower and shot putter we ever had (sorry Roy its true).

[Chris Young]

We can all recount tales about those with whom we have served but my wife and I,and indeed our children, would have to try very hard to find a nicer couple than Tony and Joan.

Tony (Butch) Cornish taught me a few things about life and the service in his own inimitable manner. He was a hard man but he was also a very, very fair man. Soldiers who served with him learnt this if nothing else from him.

I am sure that all those who had the good fortune to come into contact with him will join me in expressing their sincere condolences to his family and will, whilst mourning his passing, join me in respecting the life and career of a man who many of us could only have dreamt of emulating.

My wife and I offer our heartfelt condolences to Tony's family. In our eyes a great man who will be sorely missed has moved on, he and his memories live on.

R.I.P. Pax Hominibus.

[Alan Levi Hodges]

Never a man you dreaded to meet as he was always fair

and Paul always did him proud

If we all followed in his footsteps in our military careers then we did no wrong

Levi

[eric harding]

well said chris .......rip .

[Paul Ramsay]

I am sad to here this but I knew it was coming, he has been ill for a long time and has been hospitalised for a while, he is at peace now god rest his soul. Butch was like Nobby, one of my mentors, Paul is a good friend - used to take him out with me in Herord and learned him to play squash - had many games with Butch as well and he taught me how to play. Joan was always looking after my welfare and I spent many hours in their company, he was a great man and a good man who liked a pint!!

The old General must have needed a good QM - look down on us and watch over us, give our regards to the lads up there and have a pint for us.

RIP old fella.

[Paul Ramsay]

Nigel could you give us details of the funeral as I would like to attend.

[keith Hudson]

Chris you said it spot on.
I remeber Butch when I was with Shq Hq Sqn rear link. Get it wrong start running.
St Paul had better make sure his 1157 doc's are up to date.

[Gilbert Bridger]

R.I.P Sir. What a great man. Now you will join the others Butch, in the great big tank park in the sky. Enjoy your eternal life. Be seeing you there some day.

Gilby

[Mike Kemble]

Thanks Nigel for putting this in here, as I only just found your email. Another empty seat.

[Dave Henley]

A true gentleman who will be sorely missed by his family and those who knew him. I've just been speaking with Paul and I mentioned that I never saw Butch lose his temper, although Paul knew him better than I did and contradicted my observation! RIP Butch.

[Nigel lewis]

Tony loose his temper? Well as the commander of a certain FSC in Cyprus that managed to skid on grape juice, overturn and burst into flames with all A Sqns vehicle handover documents on board I can tell you Tony was still brining it up in conversation 25+ years later. Apparently it caused the QM(T) quite a lot of extra work. The fact that Colin Adams and I survived did not seem to be a reasonable exchange for his labours.

[Dave Harmon]

I am saddened to hear of this and extend my deepest symapathies to his family.

[Dave Henley]

Tony loose his temper? Well as the commander of a certain FSC in Cyprus that managed to skid on grape juice, overturn and burst into flames with all A Sqns vehicle handover documents on board I can tell you Tony was still brining it up in conversation 25+ years later. Apparently it caused the QM(T) quite a lot of extra work. The fact that Colin Adams and I survived did not seem to be a reasonable exchange for his labours.
As I said Nigel, I personally never saw him lose his temper but others, like your goodself, obviously saw his fiery side on occasions - that said, he was still a good man.

[Paul Ramsay]

I was his clerk!! heard some mighty bollockings in my time but always looked after his staff!!

[robert jones]

A true gentleman of the Regiment, would I not be mistaken in saying that he came up through the ranks,one of the many characters who will stay in my memory, and your right Paul the best hammer and shot we had, I apologise to both Roy and Stu, but I am sure they will agree

Goodnight god bless Sir, say hello to BEM Newton for me

[roy palmer]

Butch Cornish - What a Guy. The original Thread posted by Nigel mentions me and relates to Hammer throwing. Butch was my mentor, the Master and I was clearly the Student. I remember him as a very firm but fair Officer and I could'nt get enough of him. I liked and respected him a lot. A great loss to his families both close and extended. Wherever you are Butch the pleasure was all ours.
I SALUTE YOU.

[Hendo]

I remember one Cambrai Day afternoon stood in the Sgts mess cellar bar with Butch and a cocky little B called O-F who had just been promoted to Sgt, anyhow he says to Butch ' I would look good in your SD jacket with the pips and all , OK butch says we'll swop, O-F was chuffed , until Butch put his jacket on then flexed his back , Rip right down the back, it got better he had to pay for a new jacket, A great man Butch, i was on the wrong end of his tongue a few times for which I learnt a great deal.

[Nigel lewis]

I have just returned from Semington where we saw Tony off. There were over 50 present and a good turn out from the Regiment - General Rob Mcafee, Brigadier John Maxwell, John Longman, Peter and Ann Corbin, Richard Jammes, Alan Ellis, James Orme, Alan McGinn, Martin Gloyns and a few I did not recognise. There was one chap who was Tony's boss in the 1950s.

[Tony Ferguson]

I remember one Cambrai Day afternoon stood in the Sgts mess cellar bar with Butch and a cocky little B called O-F who had just been promoted to Sgt, anyhow he says to Butch ' I would look good in your SD jacket with the pips and all , OK butch says we'll swop, O-F was chuffed , until Butch put his jacket on then flexed his back , Rip right down the back, it got better he had to pay for a new jacket, A great man Butch, i was on the wrong end of his tongue a few times for which I learnt a great deal.
hehe i would love to have seen O-F's face when that happened.
How you doing Hendo?