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An obituary by : - Roy Leach KOYLI - Tommy's mate
Tommy joined the KOYLI in 1958, after signing up for 6
years with the colours. He did his training at Strensall camp,
York, then joined the regiment in Hilden, Germany, where he
went into the signals platoon.
He served with the regiment in Terendak camp, Malacca,
Malaya, from where he went on active service in Brunei and Borneo,
leaving the regiment in 1964 after serving his time.
After his time in the forces he found work at Sammy Fox's
steelworks, working in the despatch office.
In his spare time he was a member of the fellowship at the
Hoyland Nether, WMC, in Hoyland, the village where he lived
with his wife Irene.
A short time ago he was presented with the Pingat Jasa
Medal for serving with the regiment in Malaysia during the
emergency, below he can be seen with his great friends, Roy
Leach and Ernie Wharton after the ceremony, which he attended with his wife Irene.
It was only a few days later that he had to be admitted into
the Barnsley General hospital, with chest pains, four weeks
later he died of Cancer to the lungs.
Everyone had a good word for Tommy, army and civilian friends
alike,
he was a very nice person, who was very kind and made everyone
laugh, he always had a smile on his face.
I am sure all members of the KOYLI who knew Tommy are with me
when we pass on our most sincere condolences to his wife
Irene, children and grand children.
We will remember him at this very sad time.
God Bless,
Roy Leach
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After a Roman Catholic Service in the St Peters Church,
Hoyland,
on Monday the 15th October, 2007, Tommy was Cremated
at the Barnsley Crematorium.
There was a very large congregation, of family, and friends
from the Army, and civilian life, Charlie Darlington KOYLI
was in attendance with the Light Infantry banner, and a
regimental honour guard was created by his old mates from the
KOYLI.
The KOYLI
friends were as follows :-
Roy Leach and Maureen
Daz Denton and Muriel
Bert Mills
Pete Bate
Malcolm (Crowie) Moore
Joe Street
Colin Ward
Charlie Darlington
Ernie Wharton and Shiela
Duggie (Stumpy) Wood
Harry Faulkener and Sandra
Les Parkin
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(Click image for larger photo)
Roy Leach, Tommy Hopkinson, Ernie Wharton
Lifes Journey!
A man walks many roads upon
lifes journey,
Some are cast with doubt, even
rocky underfoot,
The dust he gathers, only proves
his journey long,
His mind at times befuddled by
all twists and turns,
Still he journeys on searching
for his goal,
At each fork, he must decide which
to tread,
Some in hope, some in fear, others
sometimes in dread,
Each resting place, his broken
sleep disturbed
Animated night-mares arise to haunt
his dreams,
That which lies ahead unknown, until
his journeys end.
Written by:- Alec Skelson (C) (KOYLI) |
Irene Hopkinson, Tommy Hopkinson, Maureen Leach
(Click for larger image)
"Copyright Les Parkin © 2007. All rights reserved." |
