A message in the "Once a Marine" site guest book tells us that Bob died recently in an RTA. No more info was available at the time.
We joined up together in JE64 troop, in '71. Also known as Horny Longbob, he had a wicked sense of humour, was always happy and outgoing. With the help of this forum he was tracked down 31 years later for our reunion. He hadn't changed a bit, 31 years on and still the same easy going laugh a minute Bob, he will be greatly missed.
If anyone has any more info, it would be appreciated
I just found out how to put pictures in, so heres one of Bob doing what he did so well.
Absent friends
Archie
Last edited by Archie on Fri 14 Mar, 2003 1:29 am, edited 3 times in total.
Having also joined up with Bob I would just like to add my own condolences and thoughts, together with everything that Steve has already said. Bob was undoubtedly one of lifes jokers and someone I was both happy and lucky to have known and served with, he will be sadly missed by many.
Thankfully we did have a 64 Troop reunion last year and we all got the opportunity to experience Bob's special sense of humour and esprit de corps once more, albeit sadly for the last time.
Last time I saw Bob was at Scouse Wallace's top table at CTCRM.
We shared a cabin. Had a great time with the loon (as always).
Black hair, over 6ft tall, always pulled the birds, and never lost his sense of humour.
First met him in 40 Cdo sigs Tp 1974. Just kept bumping into him over the years. I will really miss that laugh and smile and that 'what me? hurt look. A great mate, really great.
Anyone who wishes to attend is very welcome and there will be a wake at Bob's local which is The Crown in Elsenham only a few minutes away.
There will be no military presence (uniforms/medals) other than Bob's green lid on the coffin and a bugler. Some of you will know that Bob's brother and son Mathew are serving Royal's.
If any of you want to contact Nigel his number is 01981 241300, he is handling things on behalf of Karen, Bob's wife.
Unquote...
The surviving members of the troop are all so shocked by this, Bob is the third of us to be lost in an RTA. The others are Richard Coulter in '71 and Yorky Beckett in '79. We will never forget them, we are family.
His killer was 18? Ifen I ever find the little shit he will have a problem making 19!
Can't make the service, but this man was one of my 'Bessie Oppoes'. Bob was a one off. Unique, to be honest. Could get away with 'anything' I'm going to miss the Loon.
I first met Bob in '72 in 40 Cdo. From the first day he joined the troop he was a popular guy and bloody good oppo. We served together a number of times in the following 20 years and as everyone else has said, he never seemed to change or get any older. The last time I saw him was after we left the corps at Chippie Carpenter's house on the Wirrall for a BBQ. We could have been back in the 70's after a few beers, the guy was just so much the same as he'd always been.
I remember the night we were heading back to Seaton Bks from a run ahsore down Union Strasa. Didn't have enough ackers for a cab home so started yomping. Came across an uncharted hill somewherel between the bus station and Mutley Plain and decided it must be a short-cut, it was actually a building site and it was black as pitch, no lights anywhere. No problem for a couple of Royal Marines, so we're walking along having a conversation that could only result from a night on the scrumps when Bob lets out a yell, followed by a giggle. I turn round and he's nowhere to be seen. I start edging forward striking matches to try and find the loon and there he is at the bottom of this great big hole. Can't remember how I got him out but when we got off the building site and into the light of the street he'd only gone and lost his shoes! Didn't stop him yomping all the way back to Seaton though.
Bob never did seem to get older but now he will definately not get old as we that are left get old, age will not weary him, nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning his oppos will remember him.
Really sorry to hear about Bob, what a great guy. I spend a couple of happy years as an inlier with Bob in 40 Cdo. It was 10 years ago that Bob and his then wife to be Karen invited me to spend Christmas with them and a couple of Kiwi girlfriends in a small fishermans cottage at Coverack, Cornwall. I will never forget when Bob and I jumped in the oggin for a Christmas Day swim, it was freezing. Then up the the local pub (the only one in the village) where Bob and I managed to complete an 'optic run'.
I've got some good photo's of Bob. The one where he had stiches in his head after falling down the stairs in the Mess at Elver G is a memorable one. The last time I saw Bob was at his Top Table in Merseyside. Karen took the time to find me and invite me to their wedding, but I did'nt get to go. It's my biggest regret.
Bob was a brilliant bloke who always made time for you, a good drinking partner and a good friend. He was never down or miserable and I feel honoured to have been able to call him my friend.
Although I could not consider myself a close mate of Bobs I read of his death with sadness and shock. It has aready been said what a great bloke he was and I for one will toast his memory at the next opportunity. He will not be forgotten .....an old troop mate
Met Bob a few times, some of them sober. Both in training (62 Troop) and in 40 Cdo...... Mortars and Sigs shared the same volleyball net. I might be wrong, but I thought he was in 41 in Malta as well
My memories are of a popular, decent bloke who would always do you a good turn.
A great loss
I've got to do everything once - before it's too late
I joined up with Bob and was deeply saddened to read about his untimely death and our great loss.To all of us who knew Bob he will be remembered as a true friend and a brilliant oppo. I last seen Bob at the 64TP reunion at CTC he was still the same,always a good word for everybody,and always laughing.Sorry i wont see you at the next troop reunion Bob,but i will certainly raise my glass in memory of you. Scotty 65tp
JOINED 71.42CDO 40 CDO 41 CDO 3RD CDO BDE. A.D.T. LEFT 86.HAVE HAD MANY HOURS OF FUN BROWSING THIS SITE.LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE.
At last I can have my say about the 'loon'. I use the term with great affection for a truly nice guy who should still be amongst us.
For two Norway tours in the mid 80's when I was RSM at Bde HQ, Bob tried to get me to go downhill skiing with him and other reprobates on a Sunday. On a mad impulse (Grouse inspired) I inadvertantly agreed. To be fair they organised everything superbly and got me to the slopes with some minders, thankfully, as the one bit of instruction they hadn't given me was how to get the sodding planks off so you can go into a cafe. I belatedly admit to enjoying the day.
Whatever part of heaven he's in I'll bet he's talked himself out of any extras on the Pearly Gates and I hope he's managed to get Big 'G' on a pair of planks.
Sleep well you daft sod. You're missed already
Wal
Over a year since he tragically left us , I can't believe I missed the news at the time, or since. Perhaps it's because I don't visit the Obituarys site very often. I don't remember it mentioned at the last Reunion. He was a Great Guy, full of fun and liked by everyone. He was a good friend who I will miss seeing again.
God Rest Bob.
Over a year since he tragically left us , I can't believe I missed the news at the time, or since. Perhaps it's because I don't visit the Obituarys site very often. I don't remember it mentioned at the last Reunion. He was a Great Guy, full of fun and liked by everyone. He was a good friend who I will miss seeing again.