‘Farmer John’ died peacefully at home on Thu 10 March 2016 after enduring for some months an aggressive and most rare form of leukaemia, aged 71.

John’s Celebration of Life Service was held at St Mary’s Church, Beeston, nr Dereham, Norfolk on 22 March 2016, conducted by The Revd Maj Jonathon Boston RAChD.

The church was filled to overflowing with standing room only, reflecting the affection in which he was held.

The choir sung ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ and ‘Pachelbel’s Alleluia’ and Rosie Harris sang ‘Ave Maria’.

Twenty five messages of memories and sympathy arrived by e-mail or were posted on social media.

His widow Gaye later said: ‘I suppose he was just John to me. I really didn’t realize he was held in such high esteem by so many people!’

Tributes were given by Col (Retd) David James, Maj (Retd) Richard Watson and Maj (Retd) John L Raybould, below.

John and I first met in what was then the Dereham TA Centre in 1973, the HQ of A (Royal Norfolk) Company, 6 (V) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, commanded by David James, here today.

We became Officer Cadets, readily identifiable in uniform – often ‘mixed dress’ – by the white ‘bird dropping’ tabs on our epaulettes.

There were eventually 4 Officer Cadets, a record which still stands in any Company: The late Colin Palmer; John – Officer Commanding 1 (Dereham) Platoon; myself – OC 2 (Thetford aka Gangster Platoon) – an essential requirement before enlisting was to have served a term at ‘Her Majesty’s Displeasure’ and Miles Green, here today, – OC 3 (Norwich aka Apache Platoon).

Our PSI (Permanent Staff Instructor), CSgt Ben Turner, often despaired of us!

Later, after commissioning, John and I used to wear a khaki 1940s Service Dress hat when at Dereham on Drill Nights – not approved by some!

John was my predecessor as OC A (Royal Norfolk) Company, 6 (V) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. He became well known as ‘Farmer John’.

After our handover John became OC RRTT (Recruit Reception Training Team) at Battalion HQ in Bury St Edmunds then a Watchkeeper with 49 Brigade along with Richard Watson, present today.

Three particular reminiscences:

It had been recognised, after over 75 years, by the Royal Norfolk Regt Officers’ Dinner Club Committee, that TA Officers had completed the ‘knives and forks course’ at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and were suitably trained to be permitted to attend the Annual June Dinner in the Norfolk Club. (In time, I became, and remain, a member of that Committee!)

At the 1978 dinner we had just returned from Annual TA Camp at Bellerby where Richard Watson had won the Inter-Company Gaza Cup for A Company. John was animatedly describing the competition to the late Maj Fred Ayers, who had a half of bitter in one hand. Most of the ale went down the neck of the late Brigadier Peter Barclay. He blamed Fred! We then called it the ‘Beer Throwing Dinner’.

Another absolute classic and true tale of the usual unruffled John is of his arriving at the then Dereham HQ of A Coy for a rehearsal, with me, then both subalterns, for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday Parade in Norwich.

His mode of transport from his Naerfalk sticks farm to the TA Centre, as Gaye had requisitioned the family car, was unique. John arrived in a tractor! At the Norwich Parade the two 6 Battalion Colours were photographed with us. The image was used on the front cover of a TA Officer recruiting brochure.

I was there carrying the Regimental Colour but a breeze blew it over me so I missed some fame!

Likewise, John was, as usual, unperturbed by the rantings of an Eastern District Brigadier who was denied entrance to the Thetford OSU (Ordnance Support Unit) during a Battalion Exercise when John was OC A Company.

Something about an IED at the gate comes to mind. I was A Company 2IC, and, honest Guv, it had nowt to do with me – but it was most likely down to Sgt Vic Turner and his 2 Thetford (Destroyer aka Gangster) Platoon? (My superb ‘Old Lags’ of 2 Platoon!)

There was also the problem, I recall, of many sandbags being nicked from OSU East Harling, where Dick Watson was based! Great days!

Like many of us who served at the time of the 1983 launch of the colourful ‘Ron James 6th Battalion tie’, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the TA, John loved his distinctive tie and wore it with abandon. I am wearing my unique ‘Ron James 6th Bn bow tie’ and I see some full ties here today.

Ron James died last month and his memory lives on, along with John, with those who had the privilege to know them.

John was a fine, self-effacing and very valued comrade, a true officer and gentleman, never seen to be ruffled, one with whom it was indeed a privilege to serve and know – the like of which we will not see again. I salute you John.

He is survived by his wife Gaye, sons Sholto and Edward and daughter Tamarind.