I've just heard the news of Berts untimely death after his valiant fight.  I first met Bert when he was posted to the 1st Bn in Berlin in 1965 and I was his section commander. We've been friends ever since.  When I finally retired from uniform and settled in my village Bert was working at the local butchers.  He always saved huge knuckle bones for my dog, who loved them. When I was running RHQ (Oxford) it fell to me to organise the various events at the Slade. It always involved 2 phone calls from Bert: the first to confirm that I had laid on tables for his photograph albums(of course), the second, usually the day before the event, to ask for detailed directions on how to get to the Slade!  No matter how many times Bert went to the Slade, he could never remember the way!  What this says about his map reading prowess as an MFC I shudder to think!  Bert could be a bit of a barrack room lawyer but this stood him in good stead when he took Tesco's to an Industrial Tribunal and beat them hands down.  In his later life Bert devoted himself to a photographic archive of the Regiment which a lot of you will have seen at various Regimental functions, because he was always there. This is unique and an invaluable history of our past, and the Regiment, collectively, should be eternally grateful to him for his dedication to this task. Bert could be "a gobby scouse git" but I loved him for it and I wouldn't have him any other way.  I shall miss his cheerful banter greatly. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.  Ill be there when he doubles off parade and the horn sounds No more parades. Endex. Make Safe and I'll see you soon at the Final RV. R.I.P. mucker.

 

Pete Uden

Rest in peace Bert.

Rest in peace bert my old friend, Val and I send our sincere condolences to your family at this sad time.
 swift and Bold

   It is with heavy heart that heather & I hear of the death of a special friend
   Bert Henshaw our condolances To Pat & Family, bert you will leave a big gap ,
   The reunions will neaver be the same. REST IN PEACE MUCKER

    

RIP Chosen man.
Condolences to all your family and friends.

Bert (RIP).      My sincere condolences to His Family at this very sad time.

God Bless You

REST IN PEACE MATE.
CONDOLENCES TO PAT AND FAMILY.

A very special man has now left us , after a long hard battle . What a courageous, honest, loyal and dedicated man he was, loved and admired by all.
Bert you will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace mate.
Condolences to Pat , Adam , Sandra and all the family

REST IN PEACE BERT
CONDOLENCES TO PAT,ADAM AND SANDRA

God Bless Bert, and my sympathy and love go to his family.  It is so hard to bear the sad departure of such a great man.

Pat and Family/
Lyn and i are so sorry at your lose. every one who knew Birt will feel a great sadness.

Bert RIP, sincere condolances to your family at this very sad time.

A legend to the 'family' (RGJ) for your pictorial history

Gone but definatley not forgotten

Celer Et Audax

Rest In Peace Bert.
       Your work with the Photos of "The Regiment" will ensure your name lives on.
        I offer my sincere condolence to Berts family, I know from personal experience how much   stress, pain and suffering you have all had to bear from this awful disease. I hope your pain and grief has eased, all those who helped Bert have my deep respect.

Dear Fellow Rifleman

I walked in to Berts room at 16.00 yesterday after already being informed by his daughter Sandra, that her dad had fluid on the lungs and it was very audible.  However, there was Pat his wife, Sandra and Adam son and daughter.  I brought in with me a cd player said to Bert "Right mate, we're going to have a party."  I turned to Pat  and said, "You aint going to be happy with me Pat but we're going to Party."   I then turned up the Music and sweetest sound flowed from the speakers; The music of the Massed Bands of the Light Division on Horse Guards Parade 1993.  That was it Pat and Adam said, " Cor not listening to this, I'm going to get my tea and leave you to listen and reminisce to the  music together."  Sandra stayed a little bit longer, her husband Brian was also a Royal Green Jacket and she was brought up by the music, so she knew exactly what it was all about.  Sandra left to see to her kids and husband. 

Then Bert and I had a good chat about things me talking and him listening, I then looked up at the window and Jake & Liz Cheetham's card was stood out as normal, a lovely personalised card.  So I said to Bert "C'mon, lets see if we can hold of Jake." We called and spoke with Jake, I put the speaker phone on and Jake spoke with Bert.  I did the same with Ginger Dixon.  All the while the music we love was playing, and I said "Eh Bert, who needs Top of the Pops when we have the finest music ever. 

Then at 16.50, I noticed Berts breathing calm down it stopped the gurgling and it was easier for him, so I rang for the nurse.  His eyes opened and I then asked , "Bert, are you on your way now now Mucker."  He looked so relaxed, no pain, so I said "Go mate, you go off to the sound of the music, God Bless you Bert Henshaw and thanks for everything and being there for me." Track 17 'High on the Hill' just started playing.  So off he marched to High on the Hill, it was pure magic.  I shall carry that for eternity, the time was 16.53, the care assistant turned up a minute later.  I then called his family back to the hospital.

So the passing of a dear Rifleman, went off to the sound of the Bugle call, his timing was impeccable, so was his turn out his hair was combed, his brother had shaven him and Bert looked good.  God Bless mate.

I will notify you all about the Celebration as soon as we have worked through the details.  What Bert has asked for in general, is there be no flowers or wreaths please, but donations to the Rifleman's Aid Society, Celebration in the Green Jacket Chapel in Sir John Moore Barracks, Basingstoke Crematorium and with the very kind permission of the RSM at Sir John More's back to the WO & SJts Mess (Give Bert his final 'J'!)