Billy Ness RIP

Billy Ness has died aged 96, here he pictured while serving in North Africa during the war. Tributes have been paid to a Geordie D-Day hero and "extraordinary character" after his death at the age of 96. Billy Ness was just 19 when he parachuted into France in the first minutes of June 6 1944 with the 12th Battalion as part of ‘Operation Tonga’. During what proved to be the most significant battle of the Second World War, Billy was shot and wounded twice yet still returned to active duty. In 2017 he was awarded the Chevalier Légion d’Honneur medal, one of France’s highest honours, for his heroism on and after the D-Day landings.

 

Geordie - you had one last bridge to cross, and you made it! 

God bless you, you enriched the lives of many beyond measure and deserve to rest in peace.

Les Ransom RIP

We are sorry to hear of the death of Les Ransom, RASC on 8 Feb 21, 2021. Les was part of 250 Comp Coy RASC that held the Bridge at Arnhem with 2 Para under Command of Johnny Frost until the end.

 

Day by declining day

The light grows dim

Yet their light ne’r grows old!

Perpetual in stature –

Memories remain

As good forever

Their past glories

For us, sustain.

 

Les Ransom, Requiescat in Pace

All Rights Reserved & Copyright - David John Drew 'Versificator Regis' 2021

Stanley Tooze RIP

Stanley Howard Tooze - 8 PARA. We were saddened to hear of the loss of Stan Tooze who passed away on 29 January 2021.

 

The battle has been fought

The war was won and ended

And now for eternal peace

For generations to come.

 

Remember those maroon: –

Maroon of heart

Who served the realm

And played their part.

 

Though laid to rest

Their spirit still soars

Across great blue skies

Forever Airborne Corps.

 

All Rights Reserved & Copyright – David John Drew 2021

Rest In Peace

We are very sorry to hear of the death of Brigadier J F (Jack) Thomas CBE Late Lifeguards, No 6 Cdo, 1 Para, Welsh Regt, RA and RMP, who passed away on 29 January 2021 aged 94.

The hard struggles of life are done

The dawn of eternal peace arrives

Swiftly comes the glorious sun

On wings the hero’s spirit revives!

 

Rest in Peace, Jack Thomas

All Rights Reserved / 2021 / David John Drew

Colonel Sydney Winship RIP

 We are very sad to hear of the death of Colonel Sydney Winship, an officer from the early days of 15 (Scottish) PARA, who died in his sleep on 24 Jan 21.

 

A final Farewell -

To a bold man,

With winged heart,

And a brave walk;

Silently passing, yet

Seeking challenges

In other realms;

We’ll all meet again

Somewhere…

Sometime!

 

RIP Col. Sydney Winship

Thomas William Walsh KOSB - Rest In Peace

A service to celebrate the life of Thomas William Welsh KOSB will take place at 10:30 hrs at The Three Counties Crematorium, Braintree on Thursday 14 January 2021. Tom sadly died on 11 December 2020. The service will be conducted by Reverend Chris Ramsey.

 

In the midst of time

The warriors memory

Shall ne’r fade...

Though generations pass

One fatefully after another

Their footprints remain

As evidence of their actions –

That led the hard way

To all our freedoms!

To this day in which we stand

No, their memory will not dim

But burn as brightly

As each new sun

That heralds a new day

The breath of life remains

 

Amen – Rest in peace

All Rights Reserved & Copyright - David John Drew 'Versificator Regis'

Ladonia Consul in the State of Colorado

David Drew is appointed as Consul in the State of Colorado.

David J. Drew was born in 1964, and raised in Northumberland in the North-East of England. His parents and family were industrialists involved in shipbuilding, mining and construction. He pursued an education in the arts and studied design at Tyne Metropolitan College, graduated with a BA degree in graphic design from the University of Plymouth and an MA degree (illustration and graphic arts) at the University of Brighton. He worked as a freelance illustrator in publishing in London for several years before frustration and sheer boredom drove him to transition in to a career in the culinary arts – rising through the ranks of the Savoy Group to the position of Executive/Banqueting Chef for Digby Trout Restaurants at the Science Museum in South Kensington. With his American wife and three chidren, he emigrated to Denver, Colorado in 2003. Drew has worked for the Colorado State Department of Human Services since then, for fifteen years, as a therapist at a nursing home for veterans. 

David has long been involved in micronationalism, since 2002 he participated in Sir Richard Booths’ ‘Kingdom of Hay’ on Wye (and was created Baron of Carville by King Richard), is a citizen of the Empire of Atlantium (Emperor George ‘Cruickshank’ II), was commissioned as ‘Poet Laureate’ of the Dominion of British West Florida by Governor Bo Register, as well as recently graduating from the Naval Academy of the Republic of Molossia – being awarded the honorary rank of Commodore by President Kevin Baugh. He is currently creating a website for his long established micronation the  ‘County Palatine of Carville.’ David is a Knight Chevalier of the Order of St. Isadore of Seville, and an Officer in the Order of St. George (UK). 

David has spent a lifetime of support for ecology and the preservation of natural habitats and wildlife. He has been an active volunteer for his local nature center in Aurora, and since childhood has been a patron of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and the invaluable work of Gerald Durrell. Most recently he studied and graduated from the American School of Health Sciences with a Masters Diploma in herbal medicine.

Drews’ engagment with the Republican Monarchy of Ladonia opens a new and exciting chapter in his life, with his appointment as Consul of Colorado. His greatest desire is simply to help others reach their maximum potential and flourish. With his experience of being an ambassador for the NTCA ( National Tourism Coastal Academy) in England, he hopes to create a ‘School of Diplomacy’ for Ladonia that would enrich all micronational citizens in effective international relations.

Yes, the future holds untold and infinite potential!

The Ladonia Herald

https://ladoniaherald.com/category/news/