I've been flicking through David Hackworth's excellent 'About Face' again recently, and his service from WW2, through Korea, and into Vietnam, has got me wondering who the time served record holder for British or Commonwealth forces might be. Any candidates? Not bothered about period, just musing on who might have spent the most time under the colours, whether Army, Navy, or Air Force. (Probably excluding Royals. Seems you can be Commander in Chief well past retirement age.) Cheers, ~A
Major Benson, who retired last year, did 37 years, starting as a 16 yr old. Probably not the longest though. If you include Royals probably Arthur of Connaught? There is a photo online somewhere of a chap with 9 or 10 good conduct stripes isn't there. How many years is that?
Adrian Carton de Wiart fought in the Boer War, the Great War and was taken POW as a Brigadier in WW2. Retired 1946/47. Adrian Carton de Wiart - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have one of 'my' men in the West Ham Battalion. Served as CPO in Royal Navy, Boer War, then became the first CSM in the Hammers until disbandment and then became RSM for Royal Fusiliers until end of WW1. In WW2 he shaved ten years off his age and joined the Australian Infantry in 1940 and served a further 18 months before being rumbled and Honourably Discharged due to old age. Haven't done the maths for total length of service, but he always makes me smile. Three wars and a Military Cross. RIP, Mr Cattermole
Thinking about this I was reminded of a veteran I met at Chelsea many years ago. I was intrigued by his medal group which started with a British War Medal for WW1 and ended with the Falklands medal! It transpired he had been RN in WW1 (joined 1918), then Merchant Navy in the 30s and throughout WW2 into the 60s/70s. He was semi-retired and worked in the shop on one of the P&O liners that was requisitioned for going Down South. P&O called for experienced volunteers and off he went, and thus was entitled to the medal! Sadly I never made a note of his name. Difficult to beat that one!
My best friend in hospital, and at convalescent home, was Regimental Sgt Major Humphrey's. He served in the Boer war. The great war, and came back to help out in WW2. He told me he had served for 42 years. I was his best mate and was supposed to have his medals when he died. Sadly I never got them, and do not know what happened to them. He died just after the war, and I missed his funeral ...I did not know.... Great mate. Sapper
Lovely picture of de Wiart! Only one eye, only one arm, and more suprisingly, only one Victoria Cross!
What about Admiral Sir Walter Cowan KCB, DSO & Bar MVO, born 1871 died 1956, Joined the RN as a Midshipman in 1886, saw service in the Boer War and both World Wars, he retired in 1931 recalled to train Commandos in small boat handling he deployed to the Middle East but was captured at Bir Hakim taking on an Italian tank crew single handed with his revolver while attached to an Indian Cavalry Regt, he was repatriated in 1943 and rejoined the Commandos seeing further action in Italy - he was awarded a bar to his DSO, he retired for the last time in 1945. A total of FIFTY years service his last few as a Commando In 2007 the Estonian Navy named a vessel The Admiral Cowan in his honour. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - Biography of Admiral Sir Walter Henry "Tich" Cowan, Bt, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.V.O. And Von Poop will like this Commando in a Pith Helmet
Great stuff chaps. Another very long service Naval man, from Normandy to Falklands period: Surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir John Harrison - Telegraph Hmm, they seem to keep 'em going in the Navy - one more from WW2 to CiC Fleet during the Falklands: John Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sure I've read something recently about a very old Napoleonic soldier - can't think where though. Thinking about it, my Grandad didn't do so bad for long service - joined in 1924, and retired in 1964 (though I believe there were a couple of years out in the middle).
My Adjt at RAF Woodvale joined the Army as a boy soldier just after his 15th birthday; after serving contiuously in the Queens', the UDR and the RAF he retired on his 65th birthday - he would have stayed longer if he had been allowed! Perhaps not the longest time under the Colours but it impressed me. Roxy
for a junior rank with continuous service, GSM (WO1) William MOTT Welsh Guards is doing well, joined in 1979, survived the attack on Sir Galahad in the Falklands War and was in charge of the funeral service for Baroness Thatcher's funeral last week. 34 years and counting in today's army is good going in my eyes! his brother is Major Nicky MOTT, also Welsh Guards
This is a good link to a soldier who served for 45 years unbroken service!. :indexCAGHJY15: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1336572.longserving_soldier_hangs_up_his_cap_after_45_years/ And this was Britains longest serving female in the Navy!. http://bfbs.com/news/uk/navys-farewell-longest-serving-woman-61477.html
According to the Press, brother Nick was also on the Sir Galahad and was also closely involved in Baroness Thatcher's funeral; Maj Mott in front of the coffin, GSM Mott behind. Chris
I remember the late Dr Bruce Cooper, who I met at Gibraltar in October 2008. During WW2 Dr Cooper served with the RNVR. He was a member of 'Operation Tracer', the team who would stayed behind sealed insode the Rock of Gibraltar in the event the Germans were able to successfully take over the Rock. By 1982 Dr Cooper was 'semi-retired' but working as the ship's doctor on the P & O ship SS Uganda used for educational trips for school children. When Argentina invaded the Falklands the SS Uganda was requisitioned as a hospital ship for the British fleet and Dr Cooper went with her (i.e 43 years after first going to sea). However, I am not sure now whether, technically speaking, Dr Cooper would have been regarded as a civilian for the Falklands conflict. Obviously Dr Cooper's service was not quite as lengthy as your Chelsea veteran, Paul but neverheless it is a remarkable length of service. Dr Cooper passed away at the age of 96 in December 2010. He was a real gentleman. Daily Telegraph obituary for Dr Bruce Cooper: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/8237588/Surgeon-Lt-Cdr-Bruce-Cooper.html
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, 1667 - 1722 Field Marshal BL Montgomery 1908 - 1958 (Active List)
Paul it's characters like de Wiart that made the British Army - he was in good company when O'Conner - Neame V.C. and Combe joined him - O'Conner took over 8th Corps at F& G while Combe commanded a Brigade in Italy Cheers
Among those who served in the Home Guard during WW2 were 'old soldiers' from WW1 or even earlier times. If one were to count the Home Guard then some of these men could have had 50 years + service. (I am almost tempted to quote a certain Lance Corporal Jack Jones of Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard, who was at Omdurman, at this point but I will refrain from doing so!).
With Canadians my guess would be Leonard Birchall. A WWII pilot he was called the "Saviour of Ceylon" by Churchill and racked up a Canadian Forces Decoration (for twelve years service) along with five bars, indicating a further 50 years for a minimum of 62 years service 'under the colours'. Other decorations include the Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire, Order of Ontario, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. .
