John Bassindale
* ??? - † 12 November 2007
23240193 B/Cpl Bassindale - Boy Soldier and member of Tope Platoon/House from 1956-59

John was a member of the Ex-Boys Association

His son David writes:

On the morning of the 12/11/2007 John Bassindale suffered a heart attack whilst at the wheel of his car. He steered the car to the side of the road avoiding others, but did not survive the heart attack
He leaves a wife Margaret Bassindale
Children David (my self), Ann, Robert and Sarah
10 Grandchildren (another due in 7 weeks)
Sisters Betty, Susan and Brother Steven

From Pete Borthwick:

Sorry to here of the passing of John, I knew him very well, as we were both in Tope house for the duration of our boys service. We both left on the same day. I had only just made contact with John in the last six months.

09:45 - 14 November 2007

The Last Post has sounded for the ex-soldier who made this year's Remembrance Day parade in Scunthorpe one of the most memorable in history.

John Bassindale, a father-of-four and chairman of the Scunthorpe branch of the Royal British Legion, died of a heart attack less than 24 hours after overseeing what has been described by family and friends as 'his finest hour'.

Mr Bassindale (66), of Briggate Drive, Messingham, had been the parade marshal for 10 years at the annual march-past by the Scunthorpe Cenotaph. But less than 24 hours after the service, he suffered a heart attack at the wheel of his car on Grange Lane North, Scunthorpe.

His son Robert, the third generation of the family to serve in the Army, said: "Dad was chuffed to bits about the turnout and organisation on Sunday. It was his finest hour."

Robert (34), who joined his father on parade as a standard bearer, said the family would like to see a plaque erected in his memory in the proposed garden of remembrance - if his idea ever materialised.

He added: "Dad was also in charge as chairman of the local British Legion branch of the annual Poppy Appeal in Scunthorpe, and was keen to see the amount raised from £21,000 last year to £25,000. We are hoping the people of Scunthorpe will make his wish come true".

John Odlin (74), Mr Bassindale's predecessor as British Legion chairman, said: "John did a an absolutely marvellous job this year. It was the best parade I have attended since 1958."

He added: "He was a great bloke. John was always good for an argument, but you could never fall out with him."

Mr Bassindale joined the Army's REME in 1957 as a 16-year-old junior leader, and was demobbed 10 years later as a sergeant after seeing action in Aden and Kenya.

Dignitaries have spoken of their shock at the news of Mr Bassindale's death. Among them, Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley said: "John will always be a great advocate for those who served in our forces past and present. He was a great character, organiser, a man of passion and pride who enjoyed good company. It will be hard to imagine the annual parade without him."

Pat Day, assistant parade marshall, added: "We have lost a good man who believed in the British Legion and what it stands for. He put his whole heart into the Poppy Appeal and the march to the war memorial."

Scunthorpe-born, Mr Bassindale was one of twin boys whose brother died at birth.

He was educated at Lincoln Gardens Junior and Brumby Secondary Schools.

On leaving the Army, he was a welder for the steelworks and local contractors, but went into construction management before his retirement last year.

Mr Bassindale was also president of the Scunthorpe Ex-Services Club in Berkeley Street.