Obituary for David John Shearwood
David died aged 77 on Tuesday 25 August 2015, two months after a brain tumour operation.
He saw service with 1 Royal Norfolk as a National Serviceman 1954-56 then with The Parachute Regiment. David was a member of the Norwich Branch of the Royal Norfolk/Royal Anglian Regimental Association, joining in 2004. After emigrating to Victoria in Australia in 2006, David returned to Norfolk in 2014 and rejoined the Branch. He was always immaculately dressed in a PARA blazer.
A large Guard of Honour, comprising 2 files, a dozen each, of former Royal Norfolks/Royal Anglians and PARAS, commanded by Maj John Denny, welcomed the cortege. It was accompanied by the black draped Standards of the Norfolk Desert Rats, carried by George Chapman; the Norwich Branch of the Royal Norfolk/Royal Anglian Regimental Association, carried by John Steele; and the Norwich Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association.
His Service of Thanksgiving at St Faith’s Crematorium in Norwich on 9 September 2015 was majestically conducted by Civil Celebrant Hazel Cresswell-King. The chapel was full to overflowing with many standing. The coffin, draped with The Union Flag, bore his red PARA beret and medals. Nearby was a Royal Norfolk/Royal Anglian Regimental Association wreath. The entry music was ‘Amazing Grace’ and the closing music was ‘My Way’, sung by Frank Sinatra.
David was born in 1938 in Norwich to John and Dora; one of eleven children with Russell and Barbara who have both since passed away. After attending school at Catton Grove and Alderman Jex David was successful in securing a place at the Norwich Art College.
His family always said he was the only one to go to a posh school and they always remember David as a young lad on his bike, sketch book in hand. He was such a very talented artist even from a young age. After David left college he went to work for the Howlett and White Shoe Factory where he became a shoe designer. However, his mother wasn’t too pleased because after only being there for a year, David decided to give it all up and join the Merchant Navy. He was no longer Dora’s blued eyed boy after that!
Following his return from the Navy, David began work as a welder for a local factory until he found himself being called up for a two year term of National Service with the Royal Norfolk Regiment. Later, he joined the Parachute Regiment. David returned to welding after he completed his service and not too long after that his father brought a little van to begin a site working business which David continued through to his retirement.
At the age of around 27 David met the lady who was to become his lifelong partner, Carole, whilst in a pub in Great Yarmouth. Carole at the time was only 18 and several years later the couple decided to marry at St Luke’s Church in Norwich. They went on to share a wonderful 48 years together and brought their daughter Tanya into the world. With the arrival of a granddaughter in Maddie the family became complete and over the years shared in many great times together including their life changing move to Australia in 2006. In Victoria David helped such a great deal in raising funds to help with the awful bush fires.
David really did lead a full and active life right through to the end. He always had itchy feet and could never sit still. He was a man to always help out whenever he could. He was a man to always bring a smile to your face like on Tanya’s wedding day when he decided to do a full Monty or when he was staying at Josie’s and he decided to cut his nephew’s lawn. It was only after he had finished that he realised he had done the whole thing without dropping the blades. He was his best when he decided, for a PARA dinner, to walk in dressed in a mankini (a sling swimsuit worn by men)!
Afterwards, at the ‘Black Swan’, we shared memories of an outgoing, remarkable and wonderful man with a great sense of humour who really was such great fun to be around.
Carole Shearwood, Hazel Cresswell-King and JLR