inmem-m_melloy

IN MEMORIAM

R.A.O.C.

Michael ‘Mike’ MELLOY

21st March 2013 R.I.P.

ATS Arborfield 1939 Intake 1

Announcement placed on the ‘September 49ers & Others’ Forum

Subject: Michael Melloy 1939 RIP Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:33

Sadly I have received news of the recall to HQ of Michael ‘Mike’ Melloy (1939 Intake 1). He passed away on the 21st March 2013 and the service for him was held on the 28th March in Perth Scotland. Mike arrived at Arborfield from Queen Victoria’s School, Dunblane, dressed in the full school uniform, including kilt, which took the eye of the RSM, who promptly put him in charge of his barrack room.

Trevor Stubberfield 52A

Thanks to Bill Gibson 52A for supplying the information.

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Tributes posted on the Arborfield Old Boys Association web site forum.

by tonywilson56b » Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:25 am

Deepest condolences to Mike's family and friends. Rest in Peace mate.

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by Derek Driver » Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:51 am

Definitely a member of long standing. RIP, Mike

Derek

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by cliff charlesworth » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:52 pm

A good age & a good run . Condolences to the next of kin. May your soul RIP Bro Mike.

Cliff Charlesworth47B

OBITUARY

MELLOY Peacefully, at Perth Royal Infirmary, on Thursday, March 21st.

Published in the Perthshire Advertiser on 26th March 2013 (Distributed in Perth.)

2013, Michael (Mike), beloved husband of the late Irene (nee Mitchell), much loved dad of Michael, Brian, Mark and Gary, treasured father-in-law, grandad, great-grandad, brother-in-law and brother of the late Winnie. Funeral service at Perth Crematorium, on Thursday, March 28th at 4pm., to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only, please. Donations if desired, will be accepted at the service for the Parkinson’s Society

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MELLOY: Acknowledgement

Published in the Perthshire Advertiser on 5th April 2013 (Distributed in Perth)

The family of the late Mike wish to express their sincere thanks to relatives, friends and neighbours for their many kind expressions of sympathy, beautiful flowers and cards received in our sad loss. Gratitude and appreciation is extended to all who supported and cared for dad in the last few years. Special thanks to Rev. Jim Stewart for his comforting words and fitting tribute to dad, to Andrew of James McEwan & Son for his professionalism and care and to all who paid their last respects to Mike at the Crematorium and generously donated £352.93 for the Parkinson’s Society.

With the passing of Mike, we who are ex Arborfield Apprentices, lose an irreplaceable link with the early history of our school. May 1939 saw a large number of boys arrive at Arborfield to get the school underway. Many came direct from civilian life whilst others were already serving as Army Apprentices at existing establishments. More came from the many military schools of the time, Duke of York’s RMS, Gordon’s Boys and, as in the case of Mike, Queen Victoria’s School, Dunblane. He himself recalled arriving at Arborfield in the full uniform of Queen Vic’s, which caught the eye of RSM Ben Cook who put him in charge of his barrack room. Over many years, the traditions and regimes that we followed were initially laid down by these boys, our pioneers. The badge of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps heads this tribute, the Corps that Mike signed up with.

As we lost our Senior Soldiers it became apparent that the names of many of the 1939 intakes were not on any official records anywhere and so by contacting some of them, and with the names of those already known, here on the 49ers we were able to gather in a great number of them to form a Nominal Roll Call, unfortunately still incomplete.

On Saturday 20th of July 2013 at midday the Arborfield OBA will hold a Drum Head Service at the National Army Apprentice Memorial, Alrewas, Staffordshire. A Roll Of Honour will be read out of those who have been recalled to H.Q. in the last twelve months. A ‘Poppy Cross’ is also laid for each of them. This year sadly, it will include Mike but it is hoped that his family will know that their sad loss will be shared by all of us.

Stand easy Mike, your duty is done and we can say…

We Will Remember You.

Mike Melloy 39'er RIP

And so our final chapter is drawing to a close,

Time‘s wheel, it turns inexorably, taking with it those

We thought as indestructible, but physically so,

For spiritually they’ll always be as real as long ago:

Though maybe not of our own time, it is well understood

That we are all related in exclusive brotherhood

Of common, warm endeavour, of faithful, loyal heart,

Each one of us is surely still a strong integral part

Of that which time will not deny, nor ever fail to be

Less than a sure commitment to our camaraderie.

And as we bid farewell to, held in high esteem,

We recognize how fortunate we all were to have been

Privileged to be part of the same fraternity

Of which he was a founding member, and will always be

Honoured and remembered as a good and gentle man,

A great reminder of how fine a person really can

Become, by living to the truths he learned as a young boy,

And practising throughout a life of hard work to enjoy

The fruits of happiness, devoted family at his side,

Who loved and cherished him, with quiet dignity and pride.

So sleep your sleep old warrior, it’s surely well deserved,

Your time in this world never wasted, loyally you served

Country, King, and fellow man the best that you knew how,

And after a successful life, it’s time, at long last, now,

To say farewell and we know, at those other welcome gates,

Your old friends who have gone before, are gathering to await

Their old brother in arms, laughing, as they did when they

First met as long ago in early happy, youthful days.

And “The Reds” will echo out, that half forgotten serenade,

As another Old Boy makes his final Passing Out Parade.

R.I.P. Mike

20th July 2013.

Army Apprentice National Memorial,

at the

National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

At the Drum Head Service, which was part of the

50th Arborfield Old Boys Association Reunion,

A Cross of Remembrance was laid for

Mike Melloy, 1939.