Jon Latimer

It is with deep regret that we report the recent death of Jon Latimer who was a soldier and author of the book Burma: The Forgotten War . John was a member of 3RWF for many years and also a member and supporter of the forum, to the extent that he allowed us to reproduce some of his written work in The Vault. The forum extends its deepest sympathies to Jon's family.

I have received the following email from Lt Col Richard Sinnett:

‘Do or Die’ – A Tribute to Jon Latimer

Many of you will be aware that Jon Latimer died suddenly on 4 January 2009, aged 44. He served in the Territorial Army from 1983 to 2000, mostly in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, which included a six-month attachment to the 1st Battalion in Ballykinler in 1989. His life story is outlined on his website at http://www.jonlatimer.com/page2.html. An obituary has already been sent to The Times, and it is hoped that other newspapers will follow suit.

Jon’s funeral is at Llanelli Crematorium on Friday 16 January at 1330 hrs, to be followed by a celebration of his life at the Ferryside Yacht Club.

The family announcement of his death reads:

Latimer, Jonathan David (Jon)
Suddenly on 4th January 2009 at the West Wales General Hospital, Glangwili, Carmarthen. Much loved son of Jean and Paul, brother to Alison and brother-in-law to Rob. Funeral service to be held on Friday 16th January 2009 at 1.30 pm at Llanelli Crematorium.
Strictly no flowers but if desired donations in lieu with cheques made payable to Ferryside Inshore Lifeboat c/o Peris Rice, Funeral Director 15 Prosser Close, Carmarthen, SA31 1JB

Coincidentally ‘Do or Die’ is to be broadcast on Radio Wales at 6.30 pm on the same day. It is being repeated at 0630 on Saturday 17th January.

The BBC preview gives an outline of the programme:

In the programme, military historian Jon Latimer tells the story of how the ancient keys to La Coruña (Corunna) came to be held in the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon.

In late 1808, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers sailed to La Coruña, part of the reinforcements sent to Spain to support Sir John Moore’s campaign against the French. Jon talks to re-enactors and historians to discover what it was like to be a soldier in the period, and then traces the progress of the force through north-west Spain, using the first-hand accounts of the young RWF officer Samuel Thorpe and the Welsh cavalry officer Edwin Griffith. However, following a victorious cavalry action at Sahagun on 21 December 1808, described in vivid terms by Captain Griffith, General Moore was forced to order all his forces to retreat back to La Coruña. This march turned into a tragedy, but when the British forces arrived at the coast, there was no fleet to take them away, so they had to stand and fight. The battle took place on 16th January 1809, and it was to prove fatal for many.

Samuel Thorpe’s account of the events of 1808–09 was published in his Narrative of Incidents in the Early Military Life of the late Major Samuel Thorpe KH, published by Seeleys in 1854.

Griffith’s story, edited by Gareth Glover, was published by Greenhill Books in 2007 under the title From Corunna to Waterloo: The Letters and Journals of Two Napoleonic Hussars: Major Edwin Griffith and Captain Frederick Philips 15th (King's) Hussars (ISBN:1-85367-709-4)

Deepest sympathy to all of Jon's family and friends.

Al, thanks for the input on Corunna. I went there, about four years ago to watch Liverpool play Deportivo La Corunna. I was aware of the Royal Welch's part in the history of the place, but in no great depth. I did take same photo's and will try to post them. There are a few of the fortifications, etc.

I thought members may be interested in this BBC tribute to Jon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7813357.stm

I would like to extend my personal condolences to Jon's family and friends as well as expressing sincere condolences from the Aberystwyth Branch RWFCA.
Having looked into Jon's life and work we have lost a Royal Welchman who took individual time and effort to ensure we all were able to learn more about the Regiment we cherish.
Professor France, Swansea University said of Jon: "It's remarkable how active he has been and how many lives he has touched. "Our students picked that up - he could spread his enthusiasm for whatever he was doing."
In his short life he has shown his mark as a true Royal Welchman.

Sleep peacefully Jon untill we all meet up on the great parade ground above.

Paul Hinge