Maj Gen Derek Pounds

[El Prez]

Derek Pounds died on 7th November. his Obit in the DT was published today, the following paragraphs say a lot about the man and Royals methods of selection.
Edgar George Derek Pounds was born at Devizes, Wiltshire, on Friday, October 13 1922 (he did not regard this as an unlucky day). He was educated at Reading School. At 17, Pounds presented himself at his local recruiting office, where the only options seemed to be the Navy or the Royal Marines.

As he pondered these alternatives, a large man in a blue uniform, whom he later discovered to be a colour-sergeant, put a hand on his shoulder and said: "You're a well-built lad. You'd better be a Marine."

In later years, Pounds often cited this encounter as a perfect example of personnel selection and career counselling. After training with 384 King's Squad at Chatham, he was awarded the King's Badge, as the best recruit of his intake. By the end of his 36-year career he was unique in being the only general to wear the King's Badge (sported on the left shoulder).

The full obit is at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... db0201.xml

[ratso]

met him once at CTC when I was duty driver after an Officers mess do.

Well what can you say when you read an obit like that one...
Heaven has another hero!

[sturgy]

I feel proud just to think i was in the same Corps as this great man,
I had just joined my first rifle coy as he was planning his first retirement'.
Makes you humble at times. Rest in peace Derek although someone will probably be getting hell up there ha ha !!!!!

[Sea Soldier]

For information,one of Gen Pounds "unique"uniforms (showing his Kings Badge) is on display in the Corps Museum ... a Great Man !

[Wully]

I worked for him for several years in the Ministry of Defence; he was a gentleman to work for.
Many years ago whilst I was working in Dubai I was at a show in the Intercon Hotel and needed to answer a call of nature. Believe it or not in the next urinal was Major General Pounds. After all these years he actually remember my name an we had a long chat about days of yore.
Rest in Peace Sir.