I knew Lofty in Hill Platoon between '62 & '63 when he left, a real gentle giant. The memories of Lofty I have are nearly all recalled with a smile and a chuckle; like the memory of trying to have a wash standing next to him in the ablution block. He took up so much room you had to have a wash leaning away from his shoulders and he liked to admire himself in the mirror, so it was no good waiting for him to leave! His wicked sense of humour when he would nick kit (which the unsuspecting JL would leave out on his bed), put it in his suitcase and then return it when the panic-stricken JL thought he had to go "diffy" of the item; oh how Lofty laughed as a stream of abuse came at him from his victims. I remember finding some brush or other missing from my locker and went straight up to him demanding its return "or else"; what a joke he could have thrown me out of the window with one hand if he wanted to.He was the only man I ever saw lift a SLR up with an extended arm, holding only the flash-hider. He even did it with a SLR in each hand at the same time.He also "sorted-out" a bullying J/Sgt in front of the platoon, in the spiders during a winter drill session. The J/Sgt was busted down & Lofty wasn't touched; justice works sometimes.A great lad, funny and easy going I can only imagine how his family & friends are missing him. Farewell Lofty mate.
J/Pte Middleton J. 24/5/2011
Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.