Major Dean John (Stef) Stefanetti MBE passed away 17th September 2023 after a protracted illness at home with family present.

Steff was educated in Caister, but preferred to say he hailed from Great Yarmouth, proud of his Norfolk heritage he was quick to point out if someone asked if he was from Yarmouth, that is was Great Yarmouth, Yarmouth is the lesser place on the Isle of white.

Directly after leaving school in September 1977 aged 16½, he joined the Army and would continue to serve for 46½ years. Starting at the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion Shorncliffe leaving in the rank of Junior Sergeant and posted to the 1st Battalion in Celle initially to D Company. Two tours of Northern Ireland, PJNCO Cadres and Junior Brecon followed. Identified as an outstanding soldier he earned promotion rapidly. Senior Brecon followed and promotion to Platoon Sergeant of 9 Platoon Company in Londonderry on a residential tour. During the Battalions’ tour of Gibraltar, he was an instructor in the Training Wing.

It was here met the love of his life Sandie they went to marry and have two children Christina and Christian. He passed the selection to be an instructor at Sandhurst where he helped to shape the lives of a generation of young officers, due to his professionalism, intelligence and personality. Once met never forgotten. He returned to Battalion life as CQMS HQ Coy this appointment did not sit easy with him, he moved on to be CSM B Coy, before becoming an SPSI for 2 yrs with the Bermuda Regiment. He returned to Oakington in 1996 as the RQMS(M).

Appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion (The Vikings) in 1998, and was selected for commission in 1999. He considered RSM to be the pinnacle of his career, in his own words from an article he wrote for the British Army Review “I am pleased that I have been awarded a commission as it means I will spend another 6 years with 1 R Anglian, the unit that on my very first night I felt I belonged to. I will always regret that I only spent 10 months as the Regimental Sergeant Major, something I strived for over 19 years an appointment that gave me the most satisfaction of all the appointments I held over the years.”

He followed a traditional LE career path culminating in being QM of the Vikings. It was whilst Quartermaster that his health took a downward turn which was to have a long-term effect, meaning he had to stay close to home. As a result, he found himself OC Rear Party for an Aghan tour, devastated not to be able to deploy he threw himself into this unglamourous but challenging role. Juggling, the needs of the families, the returning wounded, the laying to rest of the Fallen, the accommodating of 200 police at short notice to support the London Bombings.

He also did not lose sight of those on the rear party, many injured, he organised training, adventure training and battlefield tours. For his outstanding efforts he was awarded an MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2008. He opted for posts in the recruiting world, close to home, where he became a subject matter expert. Widely considered to be among the best of LE officers of his generation and expected to be selected a Lieutenant Colonel, it was not to be.

On his retirement he and his family enjoyed the rural life of West Wales, Steff walking their beloved Labradors Duke and Duchess whilst Sandie was out running choirs and bellringing. As a young man he was outstandingly fit and excelled as a sportsman in athletic field events, rugby and his first love boxing.

Steff was a strong family man with considerable emotional intelligence. A larger-than-life character, intelligent due in no short measure to his extensive reading, having taught himself speed reading at an early age, he had an insatiable reading appetite and could devour books at a colossal rate. He had keen sense of humour, which he would put to good use.

A strong but fair disciplinarian he brooked any nonsense. He had the courage of his convictions and would often stand his corner in defence of his soldiers ensuring that they were well represented. Even in retirement he would contact RHQ with concerns. In later life even though his health and mobility were compromised, his wicked sense of humour and total pride and respect for his Regimental Family never left him. The Regiment has lost one of its stalwarts and he will be much missed.