Colour Sergeant Robert John Knowles

Robert John Knowles (Nobby)

19th March 1955 - 20th February 1997

Below is his epitaph from the Funeral  held at St Peter's Church, Cookley on Friday 28th February 1997, read by "Stuart Nimmo"

As a boy, Robert was in regular attendance at St Peters Church Sunday School, joining the Cubs, Scouts and finally the Boys Brigade as he got older.  While with the Boys Brigade he was a member of the Band, a fact which he concealed well throughout his Army career.  He attended Sion Hill School, and when he left there he obtained work as a car mechanic.  Quite shortly afterwards, Robert decided to join the Army, and enlisted in the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment at the age of 16 1/2.  His training took place at Lichfield, a place familiar to many of his comrades in the Regiment, and it was here that Robert was baptized by an Army Chaplain.  He was a great success in his training, being awarded the prize of Best Turned Out Recruit, a prize which was awarded by  the Lord Mayor of Lichfield.  All his Army colleagues will agree that he maintained that standard in even the most difficult circumstances for his entire career, and was a great credit to the Regiment.  Robert was an example in many other ways, which will be remembered by all who knew him, and credit for this has to go to his family and the way he was raised.  It was a pleasure to work alongside him.  His unfailing cheerful manner, his willingness to help out anyone, regardless of rank or station, and his very well developed sense of humour made him the most popular of men, not only in the Regiment, but also in the Garrison wherever the Battalion was based.  Robert or "Nobby" as he had become, completed 5 tours in Northern Ireland, and served with the 1st Battalion in Cyprus, United States and Germany.  He spent some time as a Colour Sergeant in Reading Recruiting Office, where several of his friends, including Roy Povey and Chris Ward, also worked.  Through all his Service, Nobby was a keen sportsman, enjoying running, even when accompanied by Stuart Nimmo, and provided valuable service as a football referee, possibly the only area where he could have lost popularity, but what referee doesn't?

Having reached the rank of Colour Sergeant, Nobby left the Army after 22 years Service in August 1995.  Initially it was not an easy time for him, an experience shared by many of his comrades, but he persevered, working for the Local Health Authority as a Security Advisor, in the North East where he initially settled.  Recently he started a job with Premier Prison Services, which meant a move back to his roots in Kidderminster.  It is especially tragic that so soon after his new start he should be taken from his family, friends and new colleagues.  Robert spent over half his life in the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment, a Regiment of which he was justifiably proud, and which was justifiably proud of him.  Having spoken to friends and colleagues about what to say here today, about how to sum up our friend, I think there are too many aspects to list them all, we will each remember him in our own way.

This is what Robert's loving wife Celia has asked me to say in his memory:

"Robert was one of the most private and loving of men, a devoted Father who cared very much about Robert Junior and Kerryann, as well as his Mother and Myself.  I have always had troubles and problems in my life, but Robert came along 10 years ago my life changed, and I became a very happy person.  I have lost someone I was very proud of, and loved and respected very much.  I know that the love I have for him will never leave me.  I know in my heart that he feels the same, no-one can tkae his place, there will be only ever one Robert.  Rest in peace my darling, I will be with you one day, your loving wife, Celia."