Roll of Honour

Eulogy: Brian Cazaly Service 7th April 2017

Brian was born in Alton in Hampshire in 1937. He spent a happy carefree childhood running the heathland and cycling the empty roads with his sister Patricia, who still bears the scars to this day. Educated at Churches College he then joined the Armoured School in Bovington as a boy soldier. Aged 18 he went in to the 15/19 Hussars and was posted to Malaya. He was then claimed into the Royal Engineers by his Step Father Neville Brazier where he spent time in Singapore and Hong Kong. In 1958 he passed 'P' Company and joined 9 Independent Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers. During this time he traveled many countries with a vast amount of stories, too many to tell. Brian was trained as a radio operator, and followed signaling as a career — however, thankfully he didn't quite get the hang of tweeting or Facebook. Brian ran the Corps canoe team for the riverside races, these were the precursor to the Devices Westminster races. The canoe race consists of hard paddling 125 miles along the Kennett Canal and down the River Thames. Brian completed the DW race six times, each time with a different partner. A grueling race and not for the feint hearted. Training paid off and the teams were usually well placed.

During training they used to set up camp on the River Thames, and duly noted the last pub on this stretch called The Albion at Bray. Strangely enough it was decided to use this Pub as their HQ whilst canoeing in that area. This is where he met the love of his life Josephine. She was the daughter of the landlord, which was handy! In 1964 they married.

Brian left 9 Sqn and was posted as a Sergeants to 42 Field Squadron, 35 Engr Regt, in Hameln, Germany.

After three brilliant years in Hameln and with two children in tow, Stephen and Christina, he was then posted to 26 Armoured in Hohne Garrison for a further two years. Whilst there, his best buddy Bill Rudd decided they should join 59 Independent Commando Squadron, which was just forming.

Brian got the call first and in late 1970 had to shoot out to Singapore to help form the new squadron and deal with the changeover. Josephine returned home with the children, expecting their third child Gary. On returning to the UK Brian completed his Commando course at Lymstone. He spent most of his time whilst in 59 commando away on HMS Fearless and serving in Northern Ireland during the 'troubles'.

The family was then posted to Iserlohn in Southern Germany for two years and finally to Chattenden as QMSI Signals where he finished his army career.

On leaving the Army Brian started his new chapter in `Civvy Street'. He worked for Baxterfell International in Algiers, steel fixing. When this contract ended he and son Stephen set up their own successful business shop-fitting and installing suspended ceilings. Contracts took then all over the country, and Europe.

Brian and Jo's zest for adventure and travel never stopped with family holidays in France with Peter and Barbara Broadbent. Numerous holidays too in Cyprus spending time with Gary and his family when he was stationed there and then spending long periods of time soaking up the sun in Spain when Stephen lived there. They decided they hadn't seen enough of England, so with his best friend Gus and his wife Jean, they traveled throughout the whole country and visited most of the pubs on the way. They all found their love for the Lochs of Scotland and the many Distilleries surrounding them! In their later years Brian's passion arose for cruising. Again the Mediterranean called, so they took many a voyage back to that area. One of the most memorable was when Chrissy and Mark, booked onto their Ruby Wedding Anniversary Cruise to surprise them. They were happy days and he loved it.

He loved his sea fishing and used to spend many an hour with either family or Gus trying to catch, the elusive fish, but most of the time he was just happy to sit by the sea in the sun and watch the world go by with a John Smiths in hand. He enjoyed watching football and listening to a wide range of music from classical to Country & Western.

He loved watching old Westerns and the classics at Christmas and the family had to endure watching Zulu yet again. What he enjoyed most of all was when the family got together for a party even though he was the one who would normally end up in the fish pond.

Last year Brian and Jo celebrated 52 years of happy marriage. Some of his happiest and cherished moments were spending time with his five grandchildren Samuel, Harry, Sally, Georgina and Christopher, who he loved dearly and was very proud of the achievements they had made in their lives so far.

He always said life is too short, so enjoy it while you can, and life is like a toilet roll the nearer the end you get the faster it goes. Whatever life threw at Brian he never lost his sense of humour, and instilled this motto in to his children 'keep smiling — never lose your sense of humour' it will all be ok!

Brian was a hardworking, generous, fun loving man with a heart of a lion and a great zest for life.

He will be sadly missed by all his family, Stephen & Jenny, Christina & Mark, Gary & Rachel, his grandchildren, and step grandchildren, Charlotte and Mathew, along with his sister Patricia and stepbrother Michael.