Obituary for Ronnie Capps
I have known Ronnie since 1953.We first met on joining 660(Mxd)Heavey Ack Ack Regt TA after National Service.
In March 1955 AA Cmd was disbanded.Those of us who wished to continue with the TA transferred to the 4th Bn of the Suffolk Regiment (TA), in D Company.
At this time Ronnie decided not to continue.
Sometime later at a chance meeting he asked me how the TA was getting on.
I invited him to come and see us on our next Drill Night.He did, and joined that evening.His progress was quite rapid and he soon became a Platoon Sergeant.
He came to me one day and requested that he be considered for commissioning.
This was in those days quite unusual. I of course said that his request would have to go to higher authority.
It was very soon agreed. He successfully passed the selection board and after training as an Officer Cadet he was Commissioned. He became a Platoon Commander, a job he did very well.
Ronnie was promoted to Captain in 1967 and became my 2 i/c,and very good he was too.
In 1968 I wished to retire. Our then CO,Lt Col Paddy Blyth allowed me the priviledge of selecting my successor. I of course had no hesitation in recommending Ronnie. So he was promoted to Major and took command of No1 Coy 5 Royal Anglian (TA) ,and a fine job he made of it.
In conclusion I can think of no finer tribute than that made by Doug (Buster)Beckett.
I am sure that I speak for all of us at the sad loss of a fellow soldier.
What binds us as a family cannot be replicated outside of a family. Major Capps was one of life’s gentlemen the years that we all knew him, I can only remember a deep respect from the men who served with him and the respect he had for his men. Our thoughts and prayers are for his family`s sad loss in which we share their grief.
Roger Hammersley on behalf
of all Ronnie’s Old Comrades.