Roger Thorn 10/08/1937 - 10/2/2023
We
are sorry to hear of the death of Roger Thorn who was Chairman of the
RBL Paris Branch for 16 years, taking over from Richard Dogget.
Roger was an ex serviceman, a lieutenant in The Royal Signals from 1956
to 1958. Subsequently he followed a career in merchant banking which
brought him to Paris. He joined the Paris Branch of the RBL in 1995.
His participation as RBL Chairman in numerous events is well remembered,
notably the annual rekindling of the flame at the Arc de Triomph on
the 4 August and the commemoration at Notre Dame on 11 November.
Roger also organised visits to battlefields in France and elsewhere
in Europe, often joint events for the RBL and the Oxford University
Society of Paris where he was also a committee member. He was also an
active member of St Michael's church in Paris for 40 years.
Notably, on hearing of his decision to leave the chair of the Paris
branch he was granted life membership by RBL HQ. All our sympathy goes
to his wife, Liz, and to all his family.
Tony Bennett 13/05/1945 - 25/1/2023
Tony, one
of our most well-known and popular members died on 25 January after
a long period of painful illness. Many of our more long-standing members
will recall him with affection.
Tony had a great sense of humour and a never-failing fund of seagoing
tales with which to regale all present.
A great cook,
back in the days when the Paris branch was based in rue Boudreau Tony
and his wife Dorothy regaled members with gorgeous curries and nasi-goring
dishes and he continued, from time to time, to do so in our new quarters.
All our sympathy
goes to his Tony's wife, his family and his many friends. We shall be
many to miss him.
Patrick Noble: born 7/1/34
at the age of 88
We have learnt with sadness
of the death of Patrick, a much valued member of the Paris Branch since
1977. Patrick served in the RN as petty officer on HMS Kenya from 1956-58
and subsequently became a chartered electrical and mechanical engineer.
His interests included sailing and history - especially military history
and it is as the latter that he was a contributer to our monthly Newsletter
.
Patrick's son is a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army and was stationed
here in Paris as a Liaison Officer until the summer of last year. Our
sincere condolences go to all Patrick's family and his friends
Sandra Cheyne:
7.12.51 - 28.7.22
We have learnt with
immense sadness that Sandra died on 28 July. As many of you know, Sandra
was very ill but she continued to be President of the BCWA, managing
to fit in the meetings around her chemo dates and, when her two years
were up, offering to continue in the job for a while longer. And even
before she was President, we learned to appreciate her good sense and
equally good humour during her time as Membership Secretary.
In addition to her
activities with the BCWA, Sandra was also a much appreciated member
of the RBL Paris branch.
Monday May 23 2022 - MURIEL
LANGLE
Chevalier de l'Ordre
National de Mérite
Médaille d'or dede la Jeunesse et des Sports
We are sad to learn of the
death of our member. Muriel Langle, aged 84, in a
Versailles clinic where she had been for some time following a fall.
Her children were with her.
Muriel was a long-standing
member of the RBL Paris branch having joined in 2012.
A retired teacher from the British School of Paris, she coached their
hockey team to a series of victories.
Secretary of the BCWA,
until 2020, she notably, launched the BCWA Newsletter.
Muriel with Jim Cockle
Wednesday 26.01/22 - BERYL
JONES
The sad news of Beryls death
reaches us by way of the BCWA.
Until recently a member of the RBL Paris branch, Beryl was also an
active member of BCWA and served on their committee.
The RBL Paris branch
wish to associate our own condoleances with those of the BCWA to Beryl's
family and friends,
Saturday 18/12/2021 - BARBRA
GARDNER
Barbra Gardner's daughter
Carole, informs us that her mother died on 19th December aged 91. Barbra
was Janet Warby's predecessor as Secretary of the RBL, a position she
held in the late 80s to early 90s. John, her husband, was Chairman of
the branch and died whilst in post. Barbra was also a Committee member
of the BCWA .
We extend all our sympathy to Barbra's daughter and all her family.
Monday
10/5/21 - MICHELINE MANN
We
learn with sadness, and somewhat belatedly, of the recent death of Micheline
Mann. A member of the Royal British Legion Paris Branch for 32 years.
She also worked on our committee and will be particularly remembered
by her fellow members.
Michelle (She
hated the name "Micheline" because of the trains of the same name!)
was also an officer of IMLI, the Intelligence Liaison Officers Association
Michelle is buried in the Montmartre cemetery.
All our condolences
go to her family and friends.
Tuesday 23 February
2021 - JEAN MORRIS
We are very sad
to learn from Janet Warby, our Paris Branch Secretary General and Chief
Standard Bearer, of the death of her mother, Jean Morris, yesterday
at the age of 87, at her home in Northern Ireland.
Her funeral
will take place in Londonderry on Thursday 25th February 2021 at 10h00
Like her daughter,
Jean was very actve in the Royal British Legion and was Chairman of
the Royal British Legion Herne Bay Women's Section, Kent, in the 1990's.
She visited
Paris in August 1994 and laid a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe on behalf
of the Herne Bay Branch.
A wonderful
woman, mother to three, grandmother to ten and great grandmother to
nine, she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
May she rest in
peace.