Tex Freeborn (First Drill)

[Dolly Gray]

Just been given the information that Tex Freeborn lost his fight with cancer two nights ago.

The only information that I know at the moment is that the funeral will be held in a church in Sholden (Deal) on Wednesday 30th July at 1630hrs.

I will publish more details as I get them.

I know that many of us who read the Royal Marines forums will have some intersting memories of this larger than life Corps character.

Needless to say we all will offer our condolances to his family at this time

Dolly

[Dolly Gray]

The funeral details for Tex Freeborn are as follows:

Service & Burial - St Nicholas Church, London Road, Sholden, Deal

Day/Date - Wednesday 30th July 2003

Time - 1430hrs - (2.30pm)


The church is situated on the A258 Deal to Sandwich Road.


Afterwards The Rugby Club - Cavell Square Deal.

[Andy O'Pray]

Farewell old ship. It has been a privilage to have known you. Condolences to his family and friends.

Aye - Andy.

[Murphy]

I reckon that Tex would have been a little put out at not surviving until 24th July, the anniversary of Gibraltar, 1704. On the other hand, he could have been planning to get to the great Parade Ground in the sky 5 minutes before the 5 minutes before...........

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Rest in peace, old Son

[Frede Seaman]

Tex Freeborn was my drill instructor,a good man with a sense of humour.
His fovourite saying was,'as smart as the Guards but not as tame.
Stand easy now Tex.
Aye Fred Seaman.

[bobsuruncle]

Tex Freeborn was my 1st Drill at the Depot, Deal in 1973 when I joined 87 Troop (Jnrs).
He was a man who I greatly admired and respected (as well as my RM Dad) and I would say that (to me) he reminded me of the Sgt Maj in the film `Zulu` his presence, bearing and immaculate turn out commanded (and got) respect from everyone who was there at the Depot at the time.
I had the honour of meeting Tex in Deal many years later, at the time 41 Cdo was being disbanded. I was still serving at the time in a Unit in Plymouth, when I was introduced to him by a former Bootneck and great friend of mine called Tony Smith. I asked Tony if Tex was still in Deal and did he still like his fishing? To that answer he said ..`well, why don`t you ask him yourself, he marches past the cafe (by the train station) about now` and sure enough, there he was!
He was called in by Tony and introduced to me, to which a sence of dread and confusion came over me! Here was the man who was a `idol` to me in training and I was about to meet him after some 26yrs or so. After a firm hand shake and a steely look from his eyes I could only say to him..`Sir, it has been many years since I last saw you on the parade ground in the Depot barracks...and you still put the fear of God in me!!`
He epitomises all that is of the Royal Marines and I shall say again, it was truly an honour and privilege to have met such a remarkable man.
My sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.

[Dogwatch]

As Rob has said above, Tex was our First Drill at Deal, I remember him coming over to talk to us at the side of the drill square one hot september afternoon in our early weeks of training, there are very few people in life that you meet that leave a lasting impression on you, I have never forgotten him and he was the epitomy of a Royal Marine.

Rest in peace

Dogwatch

[Sticky Blue]

Never a truer Marine... he will be sadly missed.
Tex was a ledgend in the Corps and a gentleman.

[Dolly Gray]

Tex was laid to rest on Wednesday.

An excellent turnout, the church was packed and I know he would have been happy with all the old and bold that turned out to see him off, but what was interesting was the number of young folk that were there as well, he was a well respected man both from in the Corps and out .

The C/Sgt in Zulu was his hero and this was mentioned in the readings by his son and it seems that Tex would on occasions model himself on this character.

Gone but not to be forgotten


Dolly

[Rod Spinks]

So sorry to hear that Tex crossed the bar. Although Tex was a Marine through and through he also was a Matelot before he joined the Corps.I served with Tex in 40 Cdo in 1960 in Malta GC and Tex and family lived in the flat below me. Any excuse to visit the pub upstairs(my place) and he would be there .He was a smashing, smart , good looking bloke with a great sence of humour and Husband and Dad .Did you know that he always shaved with a cut throat razor? and i have seen his hand shaking after a session on the old Maltese plonk and actually shave with the bloody thing.thinking that any minute there would be a whoosh of blood spurting out. Another thing about Tex Freeborn was that he loved the Scotish bagpipe bands and would have his record player on at full belt.
I am not alone with memories of Tex Freeborn.He will be sorely missed.
Another Royal Marine character gone but not forgotten.
Regards
Rod ( Terry ) Spinks.

[Paddy Nye]

Sadness, Sadness, Sadness. For such a Mountain of a man to leave us in this way is so tragic. He was such a proud and immaculate presence on the parade ground at Deal where he knocked 771 Squad (and especially me) into shape with "terrifying" parade ground Drill periods combined with a compassionate feeling towards us raw recruits. Even the Adjutant(s)respected his ways and methods, otherwise they would get the same side of his tongue we got if we displeased him.
We understood he was an ex Guardsman who had joined the "Real Soldiers". But what better First Drill could there have been to run a Queens Parade.Notably, he kept his impressive (frightening) waxed moustache.
I, like many others who were moulded by Tex, wish to add my very sincere condolences to his family.
He's not Gone . He's not Forgotten. He will Always be in our Memories

[dootybooty]

Sad to hear that Tex has gone. A great Corps Charecter, the best Sargeant Major I ever served under. Many happy memories of him in Singapore at Kangaw Barracks.

[Pilgrim Norway]

'Aye Rod -

As you say grand memories of a great man -

My condolences to his family - Thanks for sharing -