I first met Johnnie Burns whilst we were stationed at the Light infantry depot, Copthorne barracks, Shrewsbury, during the years 1972 - 74.

We both were selected to go on a Snow and ice instructors course, in the Glencoe area in the highlands, Scotland, the course started in January 1973, it was an extremely hard physical course, also the coldest time I have ever known in my life. We would climb a mountain being taught different methods of mountain rescue, climbing sheer ice covered mountain sides, on one occasion having to build a snow hole and sleep and live within it, for 24 hours. John was a great laugh he kept up the morale of the team by his personality.
 

He became my second chef  when our team began to live in a mountain hut, whereby we each had to prepare an evening meal, whilst fellow team members practised rope knots and lectures. I have always enjoyed Chinese/Malay food, so of course i had in my pack an amount of Chinese/Malay  sauces and chillies, John did the preparation whilst I did the cooking, We had a lot of laughs during our period together becoming good friends.

We came together again in Lemgo, Germany, in 1975  when we were both selected to be instructors for a Junior NCOs, battle and command course, again John was a great person to be aligned with which made the course for the men easier.

John after leaving our regiment decided to live in Germany with his wife and family.

It is really sad that he has passed away - missed by all