IN MEMORIAM

Alan Gordon BLOFIELD

23-1-1938 to 24-2-1992

AAS Arborfield Intake 53B

‘A great soldier with a zest for life’

Tribute was paid to “a great soldier and a gentleman” at last week’s funeral service of Major Alan Blofield at All Saints’ Church, Headley.

Alan Blofield’s sudden death at the age of 54 had come a week earlier on a day when he had sung in the church choir at two of the services.

Former Army colleagues joined the large congregation for his funeral conducted by the rector, the Rev. Dick Woodger, with prayers led by the Rev. Dr. Victor Dobbin, senior chaplain of HQ, South East District.

In his address, Colonel R. Lucas, commander of maintenance for the South-East and London District, noted that Alan Blofield had been born in Cairo of Army parents. He joined R.E.M.E. as an apprentice in 1953 and thereafter had made “outstanding progress” in his Army career.

After artificer training in Bordon in 1963 and subsequent posting to Singapore and Germany, he was appointed ASM to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Osnabruck in 1972. Three years later he was commissioned into the corps undertaking tours to Germany, before returning to England for duty at Bordon and Aldershot and a quick unaccompanied tour of the Falkland Isles.

During earlier service in Gibraltar , Alan Blofield had met and married his wife Joan, then a corporal in the W.R.A.C.

While at HQ in Aldershot, Maj. Blofield came into contact with the T.A. who soon realised they had “a true professional dealing with their affairs”. Col. Lucas said he was in no doubt that “their technical efficiency and high morale today stems from his work started a few years ago”.

Illustrating his great sense of humour and fun, the Colonel recalled the pantomimes Maj. Blofield produced for the HQ’s Christmas parties, culminating in last year’s memorable version of Snow White with the General in the title role.

Also recognised was his contribution as player and umpire to “furthering the name of R.E.M.E. hockey in the Army”.

In the life of Headley, Alan and Joan Blofield also played their part, continued the Colonel. In the church choir Alan’s rich bass voice and “his general dedication and helpfulness” would be sorely missed. A member of the Headley branch of the Royal British Legion, Alan had recently joined the committee and since retiring from the army, had found more time to help, particularly with fund-raising.

Everyone would remember Alan as “a man of great enthusiasm and zest for life” said Col. Lucas. He continued: “He was dedicated to helping others before himself, a very special man, a giver not a taker. Sadly for Joan, Stevens, Michelle, Michaela, relatives and friends, he has been taken earlier than we would have liked by a higher commander for even greater things.

The above text was taken from a newspaper cutting provided by Ed Cooper 52A. Further information records that there is a memorial plaque to Alan in the churchyard of All Saints Parish Church, Headley, Bordon, Hampshire. It can be located in Section C, Plot CK 07.