Death of Jimmy Rowan - THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM.

Date: May 13, 2006

RE: Death of Jimmy Rowan

Date: May 13, 2006

Jake Cheetham

Jimmy Rowan.

Those who knew him will remember him as a star, a true regimental character

Heartfelt condolences to his family

Jake

Date: May 14, 2006

So sad to see the news about Jimmy, A character never to be replaced my condolences to his family. R.I.P Jimmy.

Date: May 14, 2006

WHAT A SHOCK IT WAS TO HEAR OFF THE PASSING OF JIMMY ROWAN SO SUDDENLEY. A STAR HAS GONE OUT BUT A MUCH BIGGER ONE WILL LIGHT UP THE SKY, NOW THAT ARE JIMMY;S UP THERE. SO MANY THINGS TO LOOK BACK ON,THE LAUGHS THE GOOD TIMES IN GERMANY AND CYPRUS. BUT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER JIMMY MOST WHEN HE USED TO COME TO MY HOME IN CELLE FOR SUNDAY ROASTS. I HAD JUST HAD OUR FIRST BABY AND JIMMY HAD TO CUDDLE AND HOLD HER[SHARON],SHE TOOK TO HIM STRAIGHT AWAY,GOOD MEMORIES, ALWAYS THERE FOR A LAUGH, I REMEMBER THE; STAG NIGHT; WE HAD IN THE 'ROTTEN SOCK' IN PAPHOS CYPRUS, MYSELF AND JOE MILLS IN CHARGE OF THE BAR,JIMMY DID HIS ACT AND THE ROOF FELL IN HA HA ,WHAT A NIGHT.JIMMY WAS VERY CHARITABLE TOO,ALWAYS THERE TO DO HIS THING FOR YOU,JIMMY HELPED ME AND MY CHARITY DO,s,and always put on a good show.'GOOD MEMORIES' i'M SORRY WE COULD'NT HAVE MET ONE MORE TIME JIM, BEFORE YOU WENT AWAY,BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY MIND AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.GO,REST NOW''DUCHESS ROWENA''YOU DESERVE IT'YOU WORKED SO HARD FOR EVERYONE ,AND EVERYONE LOVED YOU. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO TERESA AND ALL JIMMY'S FAMILY AT THIS SAD TIME,AND I HOPE TO SEE A GOOD TURNOUT OF THE GREENJACKETS AND ESPECIALLY RIFLE BRIGADE MEMBERS AT THE DUCHESS'S FUNERAL ON WED,'' GOD BLESS JIMMY''[DUCHESS OF HUYTON] '' YOUR OLD FRIEND '' BILLY FOGG SUNDAY 14th MAY 2006

Date: May 15, 2006

Jimmy was the first person I got to know when I joined the Bn early in 74, he served me my first meal, from that day on we were not only fellow scousers, but good mates.

We were on the same flight together going on R&R from South Armagh, the whole plane was in stitches with the things he was coming out with, the stewardesses would not leave him alone.

A very sad loss to the Regiment, Liverpool and everyone who ever came in contact with him.

Deepest sympath to the Rowan family and freinds.

Sleep tight Jimmy.

Johno.

Date: May 15, 2006

Message for Jimmy Matthews

Can you ring me on: 07920 557075 anytime

I'll ring you straight back

Regards

J.D-Q

1 & 3 RGJ

Date: May 16, 2006

There is nothing more that I can add to the tributes already paid to Jimmy. He was a very good personal friend of both mine and my family.

It was great to speak to him the other week with Billy Hughes and Ginger Dixon whilst at George's funeral. Just really sad that we never met up for that drink we discussed.

I will be at the funeral tomorrow and hope to see all of the Duchess' friends there.

Deepest condolences to John, Teresa and the rest of Jimmy's family from both me, my sister Katherine and the rest of the Collins clan.

Peter

PS Thanks to Jimmy Matthews for giving us Jimmy's phone number and giving us the opportunity to speak to him before he passed on.

Date: May 16, 2006

It is with Great sadness to hear of the recent death of 'our' Jimmy.

He was without doubt one of our more colourful characters who made the Regiment what it was, and hopefully will continue to be.

It would be an impossible task to add or improve on the wonderful tributes and anecdotes from his fellow Rifleman. So rather than trying I will simply content myself with the memory Of Jimmy in all his glory doing his hilarious double act with Pig Pen Smith at the Battlion Christmas Revue in the late 60's. Marvellous! It will keep me going for ever.

Date: May 17, 2006

A sad loss indeed,I met Jimmy in Celle when he joined 1RGJ and we got on very well too,two incidents come to mind,when in 1972 in Andersontown,I had just come off patrol and was bursting for a pee I ran into the gents to relieve myself,,,,such relief turned to shock when I saw a woman also reliving herself at the urnial......and she "said alright Bert you watching the show as well,,,it was Jimmy in drag just before doing his act for the lads based at the bus depot,,the other one was when Jimmy went on BBC Norther Ireland doing his drag act,and when he got back to the base I asked him how much he got paid for the show he said "sod the money I asked for the Dress that I was wearing from there wardrobe and they gave it to me" he will be sadly missed by all. (I will be doing a mermorial page in the Regimental Scrap book and one on the webb sits in due course) Bert henshaw

Date: May 18, 2006

I was not in the Army with Jimmy but in the words of the Readers Digest he was, "The Most Unforgetable Character I ever Met" He was a dear and helpful friend to my family - especially my Neice Irene, for whom he would babysit, and my sister Lily in Kirkby.

He was a real presence and had a wonderful effect on all who met him.

Talk about Personality! Talk about Charisma! Jimmy really was a one off. But he was also a very intelligent, witty and sensitive man.

Despite his own sometimes depressed feelings (which he tried to never show) He had the unique ability to make everyone and anyone feel good when they met him. I feel that is the highest compliment that can be paid to a fellow human being. RIP Jimmy.

George Skelly

Author: THE CAMEO CONSPIRACY.

Date: May 18, 2006

My memories of Jimmy are many, but one comes to mind, Jimmy was a big Diana Ross fan and once whilst in Celle I lent him some cassettes of hers. As was Jim's way he thanked me with a kiss on the cheek, to his delight I was really embaressed. Later he won a raffle prize which I was given to deliver to Jimmy, he was so excited at winning this prize that guess what, yer thats right, I got another smacker on the cheek. To this I replied " Cor I'm lucky I have had two kisses off you in one week". He looked me square in the face and said "You hav'nt had a proper kiss off me yet darling". I ran!!!!!! Many fond memories of a super person and great Rfn.

Go Swiftly and Boldly on your way my friend.

Date: May 18, 2006

ID wrote:

My memories of Jimmy are many, but one comes to mind, Jimmy was a big Diana Ross fan and once whilst in Celle I lent him some cassettes of hers. As was Jim's way he thanked me with a kiss on the cheek, to his delight I was really embaressed. Later he won a raffle prize which I was given to deliver to Jimmy, he was so excited at winning this prize that guess what, yer thats right, I got another smacker on the cheek. To this I replied " Cor I'm lucky I have had two kisses off you in one week". He looked me square in the face and said "You hav'nt had a proper kiss off me yet darling". I ran!!!!!! Many fond memories of a super person and great Rfn. Go Swiftly and Boldly on your way my friend.

Date: May 19, 2006

I just wanted to write a quick note to the Green Jackets for all of the lovely things said and for being there at Jimmy's funeral.

I am Jimmy's niece, (his twin sister Rita's daughter), and it was brilliant to see so many of you all there. All of the family were touched by this, and i'm sure Jimmy would have been too. It was a lovely day, very emotional, but we did send him off in style!

For me, Jimmy was just fabulous. Although we weren't quite sure as kids if he was our uncle or auntie (as he kept telling us!), it didn't matter, cause he was just Jimmy, and he was priceless. As you've said, he was a good friend to all you guys, and you certainly done him proud on Wednesday.

Thanks again for everything, take care

Emma

Date: May 20, 2006

I can only reiterate what my niece Emma has already said. The messages of condolence posted on this site since Jimmy's death have been both very comforting and supportive to all the family. It was so good to see so many of you at the funeral on Wednesday and I hope at least one of the family got to speak to each of you as the day seemed to fly by. Also it was good to put faces to names although I did remember some of you from Jimmy's army days. It was just the type of funeral Jimmy would have wanted. I personally cannot express my gratitude enough to you all and I am sure that goes for each and every one of the family also.

John Rowan

Date: May 20, 2006

I am saddend to read the news of Jimmy's passing. As has been said many times, he was one of the men that shaped the personality of the Regiment.

Thank you for the fond memories Jimmy.

We will not forget you.

RIP.

Date: May 30, 2006

Strange Occurance.

On 30/5/06 I had a very strange dream about our jimmy.

Now bearing in mind that I had not seen jimmy for over thirty years I am finding this dream very vivid and real in the way that one has dreams and sometimes they feel that when you wake up the person or event has just happened a few seconds ago.

A knock on the door and on opening it there was jimmy a little older and plumper and still acting with the urgency he always had, "Can't stay long lah, as I have a list of people that I have to visit".

He asked me how I was and what I had been doing and with that he gave me a hug and said he had to be off.

I did try and persuade him to stay but he rushed off out of the door, and then I awoke and it really felt that he had been there, and for some reason I felt comforted that I had spoken to him again (even in a dream).

Alot of you will most probably think that this is part of the grieving process but to me this was very real and I do miss the man even with the large time gap as we did work together for a very long time.

Dont think I am some sort of nutter or attention seeker because I am just an ordinary cockney who likes a muck around but on this occasion the dream has got me beat?

Jimmy was a good mate and as only one of the people amongst the thousands that he met and befriended it was an honour to know him and he will be sorely missed.

Rest in peace jimmy and once again thanks.

RM

Date: Jul 12, 2006

i like hundreds if not thousands of the chosen men am deeply saddend by loss of our jimmy ialso remember him at girwood park meal times were entertainment to say the least

rest in peace jim

Date: Jul 25, 2006

RIP Jimmy.

We had some laughs mate..........

Date: Aug 23, 2013

Jim,

I was doing a search for Jimmy Rowan and little expected to find his obituary. I met Jim in Winchester where we both trained under Del Beck in 11 platoon and both occupied the same bed space. Jim was my friend and I will miss him as my wife and I still talk about him and his antics in the families bar in Celle. He will be missed.