A tribute by Chris Hooper's best mate


Goodbye my friend (Poem)


Ronnie Gell  (KOYLI/2LI)

I first met Chris in ‘66 and we worked and played together till he left in ‘73.(( When I say I first met him!! I mean I actually heard the bugga before I saw him!!) Though we lost track of each other for 30 years, on meeting up with him again he was just the same, only older. Yeah, just the same – Arsenal-mad. He loved his football – a good goalkeeper and also cricket. Whatever he did he applied himself well to – task, deed and sport.


Chris joined the KOYLI' s which is a task in itself – having to learn to understand Yorkshire speak!! He fitted in wonderfully well, but never learnt t’ gobbin’. We also had to understand his ‘ooh-arr’. Anyway we all took the pee out of each other. If Chris ever got riled he wouldn’t spit his dummy out – no no he’d spit his loose tooth out – ha ha. Had me in stitches.

Off leave one Saturday 1.00 am – on guard 6.00 am, Chris woke me up to ask me to wake him up at 5.00 am. ‘I’m really tired, Ron.’ ‘Yeah, OK, git.’ Could I hell wake him up!! Like trying to wake a hibernating hedgehog! So I shaved and dressed in uniform and did his guard. He woke at lunch time – panic stations I guess, till he saw my note – ‘Couldn’t wake you, you bastard, so doing your guard – you owe me Ooh - arr Hooper.’

He still owes me – and he’s skived off again.

Everyone here either knew, liked or loved him.

He’s an adopted Yorkshire man / Brother. His KOYLI pals love him and we will remember him.


CEDE NULLIS (yield to none) but God, Chris

Jan Gell says:-
 

James and Ruth Lancaster say:-

Chris was a dear friend who will sadly be missed and  Ruth and my self send our deepest condolences to you Joy and your family and our hearts and thoughts are with you.

Jim and Ruth


 

Pete Shields

Chris in Malaysia

(Thanks James for photo)
 

Dear Joy,

Sorry I haven't written earlier, I've been away with the Army cadets for a week. Kieth Tregdigo phoned me and told me the news.
I'm really sorry for your loss. I've just thumbed through my scrapbook and had a quiet moment of reflection about my time in Aden with Chris.
Number 2 section, 13 Platoon, 'D' Company 1st Battalion The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, it seems a lifetime ago, but it's as he appears in those photos that I will remember him.
A good lad, always ready with a laugh and a joke, always good for morale.
Take care, you'll be in our thoughts.

Percy & Family





Les Parkin says:-

Dear Joy, It is so very very sad for you and Chris's family, I am happy that Jim and I brought a smile to his face on our visit to him at the hospice a few days before his passing on, this I shall never forget, I am glad that his pain was forgotten during this period, god Bless

Les Parkin





Pauline Cox says: -

Dear Joy,

We send our deepest sympathy at this sad time from,
Pauline and the family of John Cox

 

Chris with Johnny Grimes (An old mate)

Jim Hobbs says: -

A message from Jim and Sally Hobbs, (In France) Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss of a lovely guy, he always had a smile on his face in the regiment, a very nice person, a terrible loss for you to bear.

Love:
Jim and Sally
 

Ray Moore says: -

Dear Joy

Our deepest sympathy at your loss. Chris will be sorely missed.
Ray and Julie ( Oz)





Terry Middleton says :-

Dear Joy,

Both Hazel and I are saddened to hear of Chris's passing. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Terry & Hazel Middleton

 

Roger Pickets :-

Always remember you Chris .

The picture above was taken in Scotland in July 2005. My wife Ann and I were invited up to Ron & Jan Gels for a holiday. We new Chris and Joy would be there but they didn't know we were. Ron had arranged for us to meet them in a pub it was all a big surprise for Chris. His face was a picture. Then a few choice words to Ron from Chris you F*****G B*****D you could have told me. It was fantastic! We hadn't seen each other for 30 years since I left the army. We were dog handlers together .We had a fantastic time all together in the highlands and John O'Groats. The memories of you and this time spent together will never fade.

Our thoughts are with Joy & family at this time of sadness.

Chris will be greatly missed by anyone who knew him.

Roger & Ann Pickets

Cedric Lancaster says :-

Dear Joy
we was sorry to hear of your loss of Chris today our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

from Irene and Cedric.





Jim and Kath say :-

Joy sorry for your loss , Chris was well liked our prayers are with you at this time .

Jim/Kath





Ike Magee says: -

To Joy

Heartfelt condolences to you, the world is a poorer place without Chris
From Ike Magee





Jim Whitehead says:-

I send my deepest condolences A great army Lad who will be remembered by us all. Jim .W




David Fill says :-

My deepest condolences to you Joy and your family at this  sad time.




Ray Grant says :-

Hi Joy you will not know me I was a bit before your husbands time, but you have my deepest sympathy. I was due to come down with Ken Cowen but my wife is not well enough to be left on her own.

My thoughts are with you,
 Ray grant





Ken Cowen :-

Hello Joy,
Myself and wife June Mourn at. the loss of Chris, I do remember Chris vaguely in the regiment, did not have the pleasure meeting him personally, as I know I would have got on with him, I did meet him at. a couple of functions and did a bit of the old p-- taken, also enjoyed his sense of humour on site, thank you for making us old so and sops welcome as we said Our goodbyes to Chris, Our thoughts are with you, and you know you have some good friends on site and you only have to give them a bell and they will be there for you, we will all miss his banter on site, Ken and June.





Russ Snood says :-