Obituary Major G. B. Blight

The following eulogy was given by Major Blight's son, Richard.

Upstairs having a Glass of Merlot with Mum
Mum will be despairing with him Bidding 4 No-Trumps with only 7 points in his hand
Playing a favourite Sicilian defence in chess

Dad had a fascinating life and we would still be here at 6.00 if I told all his stories.
Born in Totnes – Shanty
Brought up in the flat above Lloyds Bank in Ashburton where his father was the bank manager.

Dad was always mischievous. His mother would say - “Go and find GB and tell him to stop whatever it is that he is doing.”
He adored his father, and one of his many stories involved them going to see a man about a dog. There was never a man and never a dog, but there was always a glass of lemonade and a packet of crisps sitting outside a pub.
Dad loved Dartmoor, he used to cycle up with his older brother Alan, and they would play at the quarry by Haytor.

Generally accepted that he did no work
Developed his love of chess, and played for Devon schoolboys, and became a good athlete
In the CCF he was Drum Major and sounded the last post on remembrance Sunday

“You will kill more patients in a week than the health service cures in a month” – his headmaster commented.
“I suggest you join the army”

Thanks to a term at Millfield Dad passed into Sandhurst as one of the top Officers.

One and a half years later, having thoroughly enjoyed his time he passed out joining 1 Dorset’s, and was posted to Vienna.

Dad believed in enjoying himself, over the last few years there have been a number of military publications where Dad has been mentioned. Unlike some of his colleagues here today whose military skills were praised in writing, Dad was mentioned for

His sporting prowess where he was army high jump and long jump champion
And being the life and sole of mess functions. – Dad loved people
I remember him organising New Year eve parties in Dusseldorf, and helping to create the “Yer Tiz” club in Malta, serving authentic “Tiddy Oggies”.

Mum told stories about meeting Dad, and how she had the time of her life there.
There were many single subalterns, but
“There was just something about your father”
Having returned to Australia and Dad to England
Mum was on the next boat to the UK following a telegram from Dad asking her to come over.
In July 1955 they got married in the Garrison church Aldershot.
They both loved the life they had together travelling and living in a number of different countries. Making close and long standing friends wherever they went.

Being a Devon man Dad was happy when the Devon’s and Dorset’s amalgamated in 1958, and he hoped that he played a positive role in what could have been a fractious union.
Dad was a soldier’s soldier, shunning MOD and office postings, always being happiest when leading men. Many of his amusing stories revolve around action and exercises with the Dorset’s in Hong Kong, Malaysian Rangers in Borneo, and D&D’s in Malta and Northern Ireland.
Did John Wilsey really sail his yacht through the American Mediterranean fleet pretending to be the Royal Navy. That story will never be told in the same way again.
Reading through the messages received since Dad died, it is a reminder of the companionship, loyalty and friendship that only the military can have for each other.
The kind words centred around Dad’s individuality, loyalty, popularity, and sense of humour.
And yet he was held in high esteem, being intelligent, competent, and quick to evaluate a situation. He believed in “proper soldiering”
He was very popular with his brother officers and his soldiers whatever their background or rank.
These are not my words, these are the words of his brother officers whom he served within the Dorset’s, Parachute Regiment and D&D’s
Paddy King-Fretts said “We all worked hard together yet still had time for laughter and happiness”. I think this sums up Dad’s military career
Dad loved chess where he would happily take on 10 people at once and was known to beat all of them

He was very proud of being the army chess champion in BAOR, an also in Hong Kong

Dad loved young people and loved his final posting to the OTC at Nottingham University, followed by running the Industrial Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in Reading. He loved the expeditions, and through his military contacts they had a wonderful time, including helicopter trips, and expeditions across Dartmoor. He would push his students aiming to get the best out of them.
“You will walk into any interview with that Gold, then it’s up to you”
He can be rightly proud of the number of University students who went on to join the forces and the DofE trips to the Palace accompanying his team when they were given their Gold awards.
He was proud of his career, and wore his medals with pride

Volunteering each year to read “The Ode For the Fallen” at Brock Barracks with 2 Wessex in Reading
For the last 5 years standing in this beautiful church on remembrance Sunday

These 2 (referring to our grandfather’s WW1 medals) are worth 100 times mine. Our Grandfather was badly wounded in the First World War, and taken prisoner of war.

Ten years ago Mum went on “Harping Duties” a deliberate expression of Dad’s aimed at putting people at their ease.
He lived for 5 years on his own in the family home in Burghfield Common, until the garden and vegetables that he loved became too much
The last 5 years he has been at Clare Park.
Dad had a wonderful relaxing time, playing chess at a local club, and he was always happy to make up a foursome for bridge. He made a large number of new friends

Following his death Vicki and I have received a number of kind thoughts, but 2 words stand out Kind and a Gentleman
He would love to be remembered as such
He was truly grateful for everything that was done for him
He Said “Marks out of 10 for the staff – 16.”
“I am living in absolute luxury”
He loved to sit outside his bungalow watching the world go by with a glass of “sticky red”, maintaining his small area of garden.

He loved meeting people, and loved telling stories. On his last day when he could no longer speak properly, he was delighted that the Rev Tara came to meet him and insisted that she had a glass of Crondall Red. It was only 10.30 in the morning.
That sums up Dad, always friendly, with a great sense of humour and a wonderful story.
Dad, after many adventures in your life, having travelled many roads, you have served with honour King, Queen and Country, you are now starting your last journey.