Obituary for Mr Cyril Key
It is with the deepest regret and sadness that the Lincoln Branch has to report the passing of Mr Cyril Key, Chairman of the Lincoln Branch of the The Royal Anglian and The Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Association.
He was an instrumental figure in the Branch and the Lincolnshire County Committee and deeply involved in all their affairs. He led the campaign for a Regimental Memorial to be erected in Sobraon Park in Lincoln, as well as fighting to get the railings restored on the Lincoln War Memorial, right up until his death.
Cyril died at the age of 85 on the 12th August after battling cancer. The lifelong Imps fan was born in Lincoln and was a choirboy at St Martin’s Church in West Parade and a keen boy scout.
After serving his apprenticeship at Newsum’s Joinery Works in Carholme Road, Lincoln, he joined the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in 1947 and served as a regular for seven-and-half years. He was also a drummer in the Regimental Band. Whilst serving in Egypt he set up a Scout Troop for the children of the Army families.
After leaving the Army, Cyril went on to work as a clerical officer in the architectural department at Lindsey County Council until his retirement in 1959.
In civilian life, he joined the Territorial Army in Lincoln, was Detachment Commander and Bandmaster to the Sobraon Detachment, Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force, a Scout Leader at the St Nicholas Church troop in Newport, Lincoln, and a Fishing Bailiff on the Fossdyke.
His wife of 48 years, Jean, said there was now a ‘void that can never be filled. He was a great husband, a great dad and granddad, who had a real passion to give himself to everybody else. He was always a giver, never a taker, and he gave 100 per cent of himself. We met each other through work. He asked me out at the Lincolnshire Show and we were married at St Martin’s Church in 1963. We enjoyed holidays in Lake Garda, Italy, and in Austria and if he had got better for our Golden Wedding Anniversary we would have been going on a cruise. He was not happy about Lincoln City’s relegation but he was such a stalwart fan that he said they would definitely go up this season. So as soon as they became available he went out and bought a season ticket.’
Mr Key is also survived by his daughter, Heather, son Martin, and six grandchildren. Martin said his dad was ‘always there for you. He would always play football with you after school, he would never say no, even if he was tired from work.’
Dale Robbie said that as an Army Cadet he was so inspired by Mr Key’s leadership that he joined the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment after leaving school: ‘Cyril Key was just a brilliant guy who inspired me and a lot of other youngsters to do something decent with their lives’.
Treasurer of the Regimental Association Ian Simpson said: ‘He’s going to be sorely missed. His will be a very hard act to follow. He was a link between the old and the new regiments and was involved in the Regimental Museum at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.’
Cyril’s funeral service took place at St Nicholas’ Church, Newport, on August 23rd. The Branch Standard Bearer, Mr Mick Reams, led a Guard of Honour made up of the majority of the local branch members. The service, by the Rev Yabbacombe, was heard by a church packed with Cyril’s family, friends and colleagues, with many of the latter having to stand for the entire service. It was particularly moving to see Major General Gerrard-Wright among the mourners, along with so many representatives from other associations, the Army Cadet Force and the Scouts. Following the service, Cyril was interned just behind the church.
A very sad occasion for everyone concerned, but a truly fitting one for such a fine old soldier.