Neil Wilson (aka George/Geordie)

Unfortunately, I have to tell you that our good friend and comrade Neil "George" Wilson passed away at 09:10 this morning.
He left us peacefully while at home surrounded by loving family members.
Several ex-Sigs guys (including myself) had been busy trying to organize a small fund to help pay for the wake (unfortunately we knew this event was coming) and give Neil a good RWF send off. Obviously things have happened quicker that we thought but we would still like to organize something.
If any ex-sigs or other Forum members wish to donate/contribute to this fund please get in touch with me by PM and I will give you the bank details so that you can deposit into an account that has now been set up.
Funeral details will be posted as soon as we know the details.
Many thanks one and all.

RIP my friend

Dilwyn

PS I will send some photos of Neil into the Gallery with a little writeup later but am too upset to do this right now. Thanks D

Neil Wilson ( also known as George or Geordie) was one of the first members of the Battalion to make me feel a welcome part of the "family" that is The Royal Welch Fusiliers. ( 1 Royal Welsh ). He was a warm and generous person with a wonderful sense of humour. He would continually ask my run-out date and burst into fits of laughter when I replied, adding "nobody has got that long to do"! Unfortunately he left the Battalion in 75 and although he tried to return to us, he could not satisfy the medical and the Regiment lost a great character.
Last year after some 34 years Neil and I made contact once again on this wonderful site and in September we and many other ex- Signal Platoon members met up at the comrades weekend in Wrexham at a Sigs reunion. Neil was the mainstay of that reunion and could not have been more "up for it" if you had paid him. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the orginizing even though he was not well even then. Without Neil that reunion would have not have been the success that it was. It was Neils reunion! Since then, he would speak of it and future reunions with great relish and I know he would have loved to be at the next one - and he will be!
Now we have to say farewell to great mate, Comrade and a Loyal Royal Welchman. God bless you Neil.

Very well said Gwyn, Neil was a smashing guy. We first met in the Depot, both coming from different JL Units. We immediately hit it off and became great friends. We left for the Battalion on the same flight, stayed overnight in Singapore (fun, fun. fun) and then went on to Hong Kong. We were put in the same platoon (12 Pl, D Coy) and later both went to the Sigs. We had some fantastic times together, finding our very young feet in the Regt. I don't think I have ever seen a man smile so much, you always thought he was up to some kind of mischief (which often he was), although he tried his hardest to keep me on the straight and narrow (a very tough task).
He had several injuries during his time with the RWF which eventually contributed to him losing both his kidneys and was blown up in NI which led to him losing his hearing. As you say Nick, he tried to join up again but his medical condition would not allow this to happen.
What a great character Neil was and will live on in very fond memories I have of him.
Neil was a fine artist and I remember him drawing a fantastic Red Dragon on my Army suitcase just before leaving for Hong Kong. I was absolutely thrilled with it ...... until I picked it up by the handle and saw that my lovely dragon was now upside down. I thought Neil was going to pee his pants because he was laughing so much. Of course, every time I picked it up at the baggage areas and walked with it to our transport Neil again cracked up. What a card.
Neil will be sorely missed by friends, comrades and family alike.
RIP my very good friend.
Dilwyn

Neil neil(george)wilson passed away this morning after a fierce struggle with cancer. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.

I always found Neil to be genuine, good natured and good hearted, who could be counted on to cheer you up when things weren't going so well.

Many fond and treasured memories have flooded my mind since his passing and I am basking in the warm glow of our friendship in days gone by. Knowing him has been one of the great experiences of my life.

We will remember him fondly.

Several ex-signal members had been busy trying to organize a small fund to help pay for the 'Wake' (unfortunately we knew this event was coming) and give Neil a good Royal Welch send off.

Obviously things have happened quicker that we thought but we would still like to organize something. If anyone wishes to donate/contribute to this fund please get in touch with Dilwyn Thom15<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_45941", true); </SCRIPT> by PM and he will give you the bank details so that you can deposit into an account that has now been set up.

Funeral details will be posted as soon as we know the details.

thanks thom i will go to see his wife and family he only lives 5 mins from me i will give them a card and lynn some flowers .and ask if they require any help. just to call me at anytime. rip. Niel. in our thouts at this sad time.

RIP (Neil george wilson) IN OUR THOUGHTS AT THIS SAD TIME FROM SHREWBURY. RWFCA.

Just over a year ago I received a Private Message from Neil - he'd picked up on the fact that we had a lot in common - he'd done IJLB Oswestry - left a year before I'd joined, he was sigs, I was sigs, but our paths had never crossed.

After exchanging plenty of PMs and emails, we finally met at the sigs reunion that he put so much in to - it was such a pleasure to right the 'blip' in time.

We at Shrewsbury Branch are saddened to hear of the passing of one of our true comrade, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this sad time, we have lost a true friend and Royal Welchman.
Rest in peace Neil old mate, we will all meet again one day.

Ianto 10,

RIP..Neil..we onle met the once but you will be in my thoughts allways,
till we meet again my friend..

We at Caernarfon RWFCA wish to convey our sincere condolences to Neil's Family and friends at your sad loss, during the 60s and early 70s the Recce (which I was part of) and Sigs was like one family, Neil was a popular member of that family and will be sadly missed.

Brian

Bobby has already told you all that Neil Wilson (George) of the Signals Platoon Hong Kong and Belize passed away at 09:10 Wednesday 3rd of February 2010. Neil was a very well liked member of the Bn and although a Geordie he was a Royal Welchman through and through.
The funeral will be held at the Wrexham Crematorium at 13:30 Friday 12th of February, no Church service will be held. Members of the signal platoon have decided to contribute to the Wake which will be held at the Pedigree Oswestry after the funeral. All donations can be sent to Brian R D Dando, (Neil's Brother in Law) 2 Walnut Close, Pant, Oswestry SY10 9QU 01691 830450 or given on the day.
The family looks forward to seeing as many of his ex friends and comrades at the funeral as can manage to get there. For cards of condolence please address to Linda Wilson & Family 24 Brookhouse Road, Oswestry, Shropshire. SY112JN.
Brian R D Dando, Sec Welshpool Branch RWF CA

It is indeed a sad day: although we new it was coming it was sooner than we expected. George was a good member of our Signal Platoon, good for our morale ,with a wicked sense of humour, and a willingness to help is comrades I echo the sentiments of my friends Bob,Nick, and Thom 15. So come on you Signallers get your names down for our Sept reunion and make it a celebration of Georges life. the thoughts of Carol, and I , are with Georges family at this sad time. Rest in peace

Tony

R.i.p. Neil in our thoughts at this very sad time from all at cardiff rwfca.

RIP Neil as you can see you had lots of comrades and friends. I had not seen Neil for 34 years until we started to communicate about the reunion to which we can all thank him as being the driving force for us getting back in touch with good friends. I hope as many as can will attend the funeral and for those who are in a position, please send a donation in his memory to Linda via Brian Dando, it will help out at a sad time for Linda and the family. Let's let her know how much he meant to us all.
Neil was a genuine man who cared for others and as he proved with the reunion last year was prepaired (even though he was not well) to go out of his way for others. He will be missed at the reunion next year. God bless.

Mike 31

Hello,
R.I.P. Neil from all at Bridgend R.W.F.C.A.
RBD

R.I.P Neil. another good guy gone.but never forgotten

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R.i.p. Neil in our thoughts at this very sad time from all at the Denbigh branch

i was saddened to hear that my mate geordie had passed away, i knew him from our army days in the sigs and he will be sadly missed by me. he was a genuine friendly happy guy and would do anything to help if you had a problem. we had only recently met up again after 34 yrs and it was a brilliant day, one i will never forget, its a pity that there wont be another one.im so glad that i managed to spend that time with him.it was a privilige to have known geordie and was regarded as one of his friends, rest in peace my friend.

Our thoughts go out to Linda and the family,
What a wonderful funny guy. First met in Hong Kong and never forgotten. Like Dylwyn so many hilarious moments during work and out on the town. He was so pleased to see so many old friends at the reunion and he put on such a brave face. He will be sadly missed by us all.

Good night my friend go and spread your joy and laughter where ever you are. Sandra and Keith 24.

I am Shocked, Saddened to hear the bad news about a great guy our Neil, I remember Neil from his Sigs days in the RWF and on the Standard Bearers training weekends in Wrexham, a person who never had a bad word for anyone, a true Royal Welchman if there was one.

My personal sympathy and condolences go out to Linda, family, friends and Comrades at this sad time.

Also All at the Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCA send their deepest sympathy.

RIP Neil - Remember old soldiers never die, they just fade away. You will always be in our thoughts old mate.

Hi, Neils friends and comrades This is the first time I've been on the forum and I haven't got a clue if I'm doing it right but here is some information for you.
The address of the Crematorium and the location of the wake, so you that are travelling from a far you can put the info into your sat navs.

Address for the crem:
Pentre by chan
Rhostyllen
Wrexham LL14 4EP.

Address for the Pedigree:
The Pedigree
Shrewsbury Road
Oswestry
SY11 4QA.

I am looking for a few volunteers (I know you were always told not to volunteer) to act as pallbearers if you can phone me if you would like to be one on 01691 830450 the family would appreciate your help. my e-mail address is brddando@aol.com so if you want to send anything that you would like passed on to Linda and the family don't hesitate to send it to me.

Brian Dando

R.I.P Neil. after corresponding on the forum and meeting Neil for the very first time at the Sigs Reunion last year I was struck by his positiveness and although he knew his destiny, in his letter to me in december he again wrote we would meet at the 2nd Reunion, we will Neil and whenever I wear my Sigs top I will always think of you, and thank you for everything that you did for the Sigs family. My condolences go not only to his family but also all his friends who will miss him but definately not forget him. God bless you Neil

Neil sent me a PM a few months ago, asking me to meet up with him sometime at the Welspool Branch meeting for a beer. Unfortunately that was not to be. I will have that beer with you sometime in the future Neil. RIP friend and God bless you.

Neil Wilson was his name but to me and the others that served with him, he was George. George was one of the world’s nice guys, the sort of self deprecating unassuming British Soldier that put the Great into Britain. A very good signaller and a fine soldier, he was always up for a laugh and a joke and could be relied upon to keep his mates spirits up when the going got tough. He was also a family man who absolutely adored his wife and family and would have done anything for them.

Like most of you I regained contact with George through the forum. Early last May he was in my house, sat on the sofa alongside Brian Dando. It was great to see them both and catch up on old times. The following night we went to the Cardiff Comrades bi-annual Party and had a great time with Keith Jones 24, Les Perkins and Keith May.

George was the Signals Platoon torch bearer, probably the most ardent Fusilier of us all. For George the Last Post came far too early. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten by those of us who had the good fortune to have known him.

Alun Cleaver

This is just a quick reminder that our friend and comrade Neil "George" Wilson will be laid to rest on Friday. Here are the funeral arrangements again and please try to make it to give Neil a great RWF send off.
Also to remind you that if you would like to donate to the fund that was set up you can do so through Brian Dando.
Many Thanks
Dilwyn

The funeral will be held at the Wrexham Crematorium at 13:30 Friday 12th of February, no Church service will be held. Members of the signal platoon and comrades have decided to contribute to the Wake which will be held at the Pedigree Oswestry after the funeral. All donations can be sent to Brian R D Dando, (Neil's Brother in Law) 2 Walnut Close, Pant, Oswestry SY10 9QU 01691 830450 or given on the day.
The family looks forward to seeing as many of his ex friends and comrades at the funeral as can manage to get there. For cards of condolence please address to Linda Wilson & Family 24 Brookhouse Road, Oswestry, Shropshire. SY112JN.

Linda, Jacey & Scott,
Would like to thank all the members of the Signals Platoon and all Neil's military friends for their generousity, support and the many messages of sympathy in the loss of a very special man.
He was proud to be a Royal Welchman and even during his short illness continued to visit the forum when up to it.
He will be missed by many and would have been overwhelmed by everyones attendance at the funeral last Friday.
Linda will be at the Singnals Platoon reunion in September where she will thank you all that attend in person and make it a lasting memorial to Neil.
We along with Brian & Amanda would like to thank all thoes that contributed in the ex Signals Platoon collection for the Wake a total of £575 was collected and once the wake has been paid for any left over will be donated to the Shropshire Blood Trust.
Thank You all once again.
Linda Wilson

So sad at such a loss, the good guys always lead the way to that forum in the sky.

Hi to you all,
Below is a message from Linda Wilson and family sent to me to pass on to you all
Brian R D Dando

Brian
Just to let you know that the bill for the wake came to £500, Ive paid the Pedigree yesterday, I discussed with Scott what to do with the £75 left over and mentioned The Blood
Trust
He had met with Ken Nicol yesterday and a few others from the IJLB Ass. at Park Hall about Neils memorial garden and he felt that the extra money should go into the fund they are setting up to do the garden, we have made a donation to this and also included the £75 to kick start it as we want the work to begin as soon as possible ,
Scott felt that the Blood Trust would be getting more than enough when all the donations are in and I agree with him, the garden was very important to Neil and he would be in agreement as well,
Please pass this info on to the sigs platooon members as im sure they would agree as well, also if anyone wants to donate please give them my email address and I will pass on the account details , also some of the Welshpool lads said they would like to help out in some way or other so perhaps it could be put on the agenda, we need all the help we can get with this so the more the merrier
Thanks once again and please feel free to give out my email so I can keep in touch with all Neils old pals he wouldnt have wanted me to lose touch with them
LIinda