Alan Charles Gregory was born in Sidcup Kent where he grew up until 1960, when his father’s career took the family to Finchley in London. Both his parents had been in uniform during the War, his father having served in the 11th Armoured Division.

As his grandfather had also been a military man, an Irish Guardsman in the Regular Army, it was not surprising that his choice of career gravitated towards the military. Alan left school in 1968 and joined the Ministry of Defence as an Executive Officer whilst making up his mind whether to join the Regular Army.

Eventually he joined 5 Queen’s at Hornsey in the late 1970s and was promoted to Cpl before being commissioned into 6/7 Queen’s in 1977. In 1979 he transferred to 5 Royal Anglian where he joined 4 Company in Hertford. He became OC in 1984, a post he held until 1988. During his time in Hertford, he quickly demonstrated an ability to plan and deliver comprehensive and progressive training for recruits, soldiers and NCOs.

This was so well received by the members of the unit that it attracted large numbers of recruits and the Company grew to become the largest in the battalion. So great were the numbers on parade that coming to attention in the large first floor ‘drill hall’ was deemed unwise and such gatherings were then held in the garage. The carefully planned training did produce results and 4 Company consistently won the Battalion ‘Best Company’ award. His innovative recruit training programme was later to became a model for all Territorial infantry recruit training.

The exercises he planned were inventive, challenging and enjoyable and this was due not only to his ability but also due to his enormous sense of humour. Alan was someone whose judgement could always be relied upon. One night, at river crossing in Germany, when he and his men arrived at the RV, he quickly made the decision that the location was not at all suitable, being far too dangerous and duly informed the chain of command. This prompted the rapid arrival of an irate Regular staff officer who disagreed, declaring that it was suitable and that he himself would demonstrate how to do it! However, the combination of the steep ten-foot bank and the rapid-flowing rived proved Alan right and ten soldiers together with the staff officer then, with some difficulty, had to be rescued from the river! The Herford Company always enjoyed a good social life on all levels and it was whilst he was with 4 Company that Alan met Vanessa. They were married and in 1983, had a son, John.

His career at the MOD was also progressing and he was a part of a team responsible for financing the development of the Tornado aircraft and selling tanks and major components to our allies. Later he was to travel around the UK, Europe and further afield, to ensure that staff were deployed in the right management structure to fulfil their roles efficiently. Much time was spent living out of suitcases. This involved him in many projects, often taking him to places such as the Falklands Islands, Germany, Cyprus, Gibraltar, NATO HQ and Northern Ireland. Sadly, in 2001, Vanessa was diagnosed with cancer and in 2004 the MOD granted Alan premature retirement to allow him to support her towards the end of her life. They took advantage of this kind offer and went on holiday to California, the Czech Republic, Belgium and on a Baltic Cruise. Vanessa died peacefully in her sleep at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, in July 2005. Alan loved travelling and later, on a holiday to Turkey, he met Yuliya, a charming lady from St Petersburg. Eventually she came to England with her son Jacob and she and Alan were married and had a son, Charlie. In 2014, Alan, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, news which he dealt with stoically and in such a way as to relieve the emotional pressure on his family. He received treatment which not only kept him alive but gave him a reasonable quality of life. Alan was a kind, caring man with a great sense of humour, popular with friends and colleagues and much loved by his family. He loved music and travel and was a passionate collector. He had hundreds of military models and a fine collection of guitars. He was a very sociable man with the ability to embrace life and the wisdom not to judge others. His funeral took place in the Memorial Chapel, Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on 11th October 2022. The Regiment was represented by a number of officers and NCO’s who had served alongside Alan in Hertford. He leaves behind his wife Yuliya, three sons and two grandchildren, Sebastian and Reuben. Alan was a charming man, a great asset to the Army and fun to work with. He was very proud of his service in the Territorial Army which inspired in him a long-lasting loyalty to The Queen.