Obituary for Sergeant JWF Hunns

Sgt John William Frederick Hunns died on 24 February 2008, aged 70, after a long illness, bravely borne. A former Suffolk soldier, he then served with HQ 6 R ANGLIAN and the Home Service Force in Bury St Edmunds, regularly attending Suffolk Army Cadet Force camps.

Below is the eulogy by Capts Robert and Christine Campbell (Salvation Army):

‘Born on 3 June 1937, John was the eldest child of John and Beryl who then went on to have three daughters, Kathleen, Tilly and Mabel. When he left school he first worked for Marlow’s of Brandon before being called up to do his tour of National Service. I think it would be fair to say that from that moment on, his life changed and after he completed his National Service with the Parachute Regiment, he signed up as a regular with the Suffolk 1st Battalion and served with distinction, as his role in the capture of the EOKA leader in Cyprus, which is well documented, reveals. He stayed with the Suffolks for 12 years before leaving the Army and working at the Mount Pleasant Post Office in London before eventually moving to Thetford with his family and to live in the same house in Tudor Close for the next 40 years where he raised his children, Pauline, John, Linda and Wendy.

However his Army days were not quite done, for like many men who have served in the armed forces, there is an ‘esprit de corps’ unlike any other that can be found in civilian life. So John joined up as a Territorial, serving with Headquarter Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, in Bury St Edmunds, for a further 10 years, so completing his 22 years of service. Of course, the TA was only part time, one evening a week, weekends, exercises and camps, but it demanded much commitment, dedication, determination and sacrifice, for as was often the case, having been on weekend manoeuvres and having had very little sleep, John would be back at work Monday morning and could be seen working on the building of Staniforth School and later working for many years for Blythe and Hazel Furniture Removers as well assisting Suffolk Army Cadets at Annual Camp.

Finally, he retired, if that’s the right word and became very actively involved in the Regimental Museum in Bury St Edmunds and the comment has been made that ‘there wasn’t a screw hole in the building John hadn’t drilled’. Likewise we can say the same here about our small charity shop as John set about putting up shelves, fixing hooks, moving, lifting and doing any other little task that needed attention. Nothing was too much trouble and John’s help and willingness to help was really appreciated. Even when he was unwell, nothing would stop him from doing all he could and he was determined to continue to the very end and, just a few days before he passed away, he insisted he come here so that he could spend some time just sitting in the coffee shop sharing an occasional word and watching the world go by. As I said, we all see different parts of the mosaic that was John Hunns: his commitment, his determination, his loyalty, his friendship, his spirit, but the one thing we all know is that he was loved, he was respected and he was well liked by all who knew him and he will be sadly missed by many.’

RC and CC

Below is the eulogy by Maj Stan Bullock MBE:

‘It is over 50 years since John and I met up and in the usual serviceman’s way we continued to meet and drift apart until I retired to become QM of the TA Battalion at Bury St Edmunds and there was John still in uniform working at the same location.

John was a dedicated soldier and, as far as he was concerned, it mattered not who he served with, or in what capacity he served, always providing his very best at all times.

John’s father served in the Suffolk Regiment. There is a picture of him and John’s mother in the museum; his father dressed in uniform on their wedding day- something John was so very proud of and we all knew he was a very, very, proud Suffolk soldier for all of his life.

Always very smartly turned out, especially for Minden Day, he really came into his own dressed in a blazer with The Suffolk Badge very prominently displayed, flannels, black very shiny shoes, black beret with roses and of course medals. John loved Minden day and would be there for the preparation along with his colleagues on the Saturday morning and again early Sunday ready for the grand day and he was so willing to do anything, talk to anyone or help on any task he was asked. John loved to be with serving or ex-servicemen and enjoyed being a member of The Royal Anglian Club and, of course, his very special Suffolk Regiment Old Comrades Association. He would be sat at the bar on the fourth Tuesday of the month with his coke, always willing to help and would even call Bingo if asked; but the one thing he did not do was play Bingo ! He attended all the various functions that the Suffolk OCA organised, bringing sister Tilley along for company and they always enjoyed the occasions.

John attended many of the veterans trips organised by the Association, travelling through France and Holland and into Belgium. He was always ready to march and parade as and when told; first on the coach and first up in the mornings, always assisting the Old Boys or anyone else he could help. John loved those trips and made many very good friends who all greeted him on arrival and made a great fuss on his departure.

I know John had a very difficult time as a young father but so typical of him he carried out the task lovingly and with pride; he would talk of his family and would gladly exchange news with others of their activities and travels.

During the latter years John became very involved in the refurbishment of the Regimental Museum at the Keep. He, with a valiant few, would work for hours drilling up to 100 holes in those massive walls with a re-chargeable drill that he would take home and recharge for the next onslaught. Tim Davies actually let him have one day off during that period as John was having new windows fitted. He was happy.

Regrettably, as we are aware, John became very ill over the last year and, although suffering considerably, continued to attend the museum for his duties. He refused to admit that he was ill and we all let him think he had fooled us. My friend John Hunns, a loving Father, a Soldier of the Queen, a true friend to one and all and a gentleman who was never heard to say a bad word about anyone, ‘Stabilis’ was his motto.’

HSB

A Guard of Honour, all wearing Suffolk ties, formed up in the Salvation Army Citadel in Thetford. The coffin was draped with the Suffolk flag on which rested John’s beret and medals. In attendance was the black draped standard of the Bury St Edmunds Branch of the Royal British Legion. Nearly £400 was collected for the Royal Anglian Regimental Museum in Bury St Edmunds. Col Tony Taylor, his 6 (V) R ANGLIAN CO, Maj Stan Bullock MBE, representing the Suffolk Regt and 6 (V) R ANGLIAN, Maj John L Raybould TD and SSI Christine Forsdike, representing Suffolk ACF, attended the funeral. John is survived by his children, grand children and great grand children.

JLR