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ive had a phone call to night to say Tony Jenkins has passed away at 3am this morning he had just came back from france and felt unwell tony was a true royal welch man a member of bridgend branch which iam sure he will be sadly missed by im sure don will keep us up dated may i send the condolences of all member of the Denbigh branch to all Tonys family rip tony you will be missed at the march reunion
Hello All,
I am writing to confirm the information sent in by Gerry. I have been busy letting my branch and other interested parties know of. the circumstances of Tony's death. I was with Tony all the time we were in France doing a tour of the Normandy beach head landings. Colonel Knox was our tour guide.
On this trip one member fell ill and was hospitalised in Caen, and only allowed to rejoin us just prior to our return to the UK, he was told to, seek the services of a cardiologist as a matter of importance. Another member keeled over in Gravus where we were received by the deputy Mayor and a party of local residents and a reception with sustenance and drinks provided by the local population.This man was given tests by a medical team summoned to assist him at the request of the deputy Mayor. He was not allowed to rejoin us prior to our return despite the valiant efforts of our tour operator and bus driver. He has been detained for another 3 days to the best of my knowledge.this means "Dai" Swansea is in all probability going back with the detained man's brother as soon as a time and date can be arranged with the medical authorities, and the sick man will be repatriated with a suitable escort and returned to his loved ones and to get medical attention.
Tony and I had small meals and not very much to drink. As an example we had baguettes and cheese with white coffee and salad or Pomme frites (chips in other words) The only time he complained was on reaching Southamton we were made to board the Ferry by walking up to the 7th deck to our cabins and we had to walk up a catwalk at an angle of 45 degrees and we had about 14 of these to climb. Tony had great difficulty in doing this. But on the French side we were provided with lifts to reach the ground level.( Vive La France) Tony was not ill to all intents and purposes he never moaned about any thing other than being short of breath and he could not walk far.
As an example we went about 250 yards to an Irish pub and he had to rest 4 times on each of these fairly short journeys. On our return Tony ordered a taxi to meet us at Mac Arthur Glen shopping centre where the out of town buses stop. On reaching my house I went to pay for the taxi and Tony stopped me and said call around my house tomorrow, and we can have a drink and sort things out. This was at about 02-30 hours in the morning. he then went home, he only lives around the corner from me. My phone rang at about 09-00 hours and it was Tony's wife who had not heard Tony come into the house, He had dropped his suit case and sat in his favourite arm chair and when Carole found him he was dead.
Not only has the branch lost a Chairman but I have lost a dear and loyal friend.I have notified the Regimental Secretary (Major Arthur Ellingham) and Wrexham as well as other people including his former R.S.M. Cliff Meredith. I would like to make members of the forum aware of the conditions of suitable insurance and the terms of reference with their E111. It is most advisable to get good insurance with a clause that includes repatriation and all medical costs and care covered.The new E 111, is now good for a life time and the usual form obtained from a Post office when filled out and handed back to the Post Office will enable the recipient to obtain a plastic card in lieu of the old E 111. But great care must be taken with both the E11, and the policy for health insurance. As stated repatriation is a must and the E 111 covers part of the out lay incurred and does not mean a 100 % refund of all monies spent is guaranteed by the State. CAVEAT EMPTOR. In passing I must mention the care of the hospitals in France they are very good and caring.I will post any more details of Tony's funeral etcetera as and when I know them.
R.B.Donovan. pp Bridgend & District Branch Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association.
Brian
We all at the Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCA send our sympathy and condolences to Carole, Family, Friends and Comrades'
Tony was a true gentleman and will be sadly missed.
"Old Soldiers never Die, they just fade away"
BennytheBall 1
Hon Secretary
Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCA
Mr Tony Jenkins funeral is on Tuesday at 14.00hours in Laleston Cemetery a get together will be held in the Mackworth Hotel just opposite the church.The family have asked friends for floral tributes, all other donations will go to Major Ellingham for benevolence purposes I have left it to Arthur to distribute this money as he sees fit. I presume it may go to the inmates of Selly Oak Hospital, or what have you.
Tony died of heart failure through angina, two valves were blocked. He was due to have an M.R.I scan in the next two months at the Princess of Wales Hospital Bridgend.
In conclusion I wish to thank all branches who offered messages of sympathy to Carole and Tony's family. Both my branch and I appreciate this kind gesture.
R.B.Donovan.
pp Bridgend & District Branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association.