A native of Lancashire, ‘Stu’ Pollitt initially served in the REME which did not interest him enough, and he then re-enlisted in The Lancashire Fusiliers (LF) in 1965, serving in Cheshire and Hong Kong.

On 1st LF’s transition to 4th Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF), as a Sgt he joined 4th R Anglian in Gillingham in 1968 and served in Bahrain 1969-70, in the Signals Platoon, where for a time he was a DJ on the camp’s Radio Hamala; there he awakened the Battalion each morning with the pop tune ‘Good Morning Starshine’. He next joined 1st R Anglian with which he served in the Signals Platoon in Londonderry, Cyprus, Tidworth and Celle. He also served as a PSI in 5th (V) RRF in Northumberland 1976-77. His last posting was as a Training WO at Depot The Queen’s Division, Bassingbourn, 1985-88. Those bare bones of his Army career in no way do justice to his immense contribution to military and civilian life. Central to his character was an incorrigible sense of humour, combined with an ever-smiling face even in adversity. Many were the times when meeting any person and especially his seniors, he would say “Have you heard this one?…” in the vein of Ken Dodd. He was a very good soldier, and he took on senior administrative roles with great efficiency.

He was posted to Bassingbourn in the substantive rank of CSgt, permanently medically-downgraded due to asthma caused by a rib being broken while skiing with 1st Bn in the AMF(L) role in Norway, compounded by having recently broken an ankle, broken his neck in a road traffic accident (RTA) and having a knee cap removed. As a Training WO he was only permitted to hold the local rank of WO2. His performance at Bassingbourn was nothing short of outstanding, and it can best be described by quoting verbatim from the citation for the BEM which he was awarded in 1989: “Late in 1985 he contracted cancer in the left eye. Since then he has had painful surgery which removed half his nose and his eye socket; that extensive treatment has left him permanently disfigured and still subject to periodical cosmetic surgery. Throughout the period, despite the uncertainty and anguish of his condition, he has made little of this handicap…When his medical state allowed him to return periodically to duty, a lesser man might have sought an easy path through the last three years; however, he continued to throw himself unreservedly into every aspect of whatever kind of work he actively sought out, and he continued to make the very most of his considerable talents for the benefit of the Depot. He created the Signals package for the Recruit Syllabus. By instructing in most of the subjects in a most dynamic manner, his infectious style markedly improved the recruits’ training standards.

“He then assisted extensively in the Depot’s Home Defence (HD) planning and preparations. He was informally attached to HQ54 Bde where he was instrumental in doing much of the detailed preparations and exercise planning for the HD Trainer at Grantham. In that field he became well known throughout Eastern District, and was a presenter at District Study Days. He continued to busy himself throughout the Depot, on occasion as CSM HQ Company and as RSM. He has appeared at functions as a conjuror, at Carol Services as a guitarist, and organised the Wives Club’s field training in 1987 and 1988…with much of the skills instruction being carried out by him.

“Throughout he has been an adoring father and family man. He was closely involved in the civilian community, particularly football (at which his younger son Karl was an England Youth International) where he involved local villages with the Depot. He was a fund-raiser and magazine-editor for the Cambridgeshire Colts League (CCL), and helped those youths at District, County and Divisional level. His engaging personality enabled him to persuade others to contribute their talents.

“The final great blow of his life occurred in March 1988 when his son Karl was killed in a RTA. Although desperately distraught, he led his family through that tragedy and presented a football trophy to the CCL as a memorial to his son. Throughout the last three years in particular and despite severe and disfiguring illness, he has displayed a dedication to the Depot and the local community of a very high order. He has overcome severe disappointments which might have demoralised a lesser man. Instead his courage, endurance of pain, devotion to duty, and selflessness have been a shining beacon and inspiration to all those privileged to have witnessed it…”

On retirement from the Army in 1989 Stu returned to his roots in the North West and embedded himself working for those whom he perceived less fortunate than himself. He worked initially in Remploy and later helped to set up Oldham Promobility & Community Transport Passenger Services, working predominately with those with disabilities; for this he was short-listed for a Pride of Oldham award. Further health issues continued to beset this fine citizen to which he finally succumbed on 22 July 2019.

Stu is survived by his wife Evelyn and son Darren.
MKG