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RGJ Association -> THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM. -> The Royal Green Jackets In Memorium Board -> Death of Jack Spence.
Post Info TOPIC: Death of Jack Spence.
Jmmy Matthews

Date:
Death of Jack Spence.
Permalink Closed

Jack Spence passed away at 2000hrs yesterday Saturday 22 July. He died after being in a coma for a month after suffering a heart attack.


                                                              Jimmy   Matthews.



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Jimmy Matthews

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RE: Jack Spence.
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I first met Jack when he joined the old 3rd Battalion as a skinny kid in Celle. He just fell in with the rest of that great Battalion as if he had been there for years.  He was an instant success because of his great wit and ability to get in and out of trouble quickly and frequently.  Throughout his service he was very popular with all and his rendition of the Burl Ives classic 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' is now Greenjacket legend. Jack should not only be remembered for his comic traits alone. He was a typical Rifleman. He was loyal to his friends and loved the Regiment.  He wore his Greenjacketness with great pride. Not a bad footballer Jack either.  He was a lazy git but he had a deft touch.  He could pass the ball a good distance with accuracy and finesse. I remember the games at the back of the HQ block in Celle. They were fiercly fought games and would go on for hours at the weekends. Tom Evans, Mickey Mizon and Jack would be permanent fixtures in those games. Great times.  I saw Jack a couple of weeks before his attack.  In a pub having a couple of pints talking about football and in particular his beloved Liverpool. He was an avid Kopite and went all over following them. I am happy that they had a good season for him this year. I loved Jack and will miss him.  Condolences to his family.

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Deputy Webmaster

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I did not know Jack Spence but from what I have read it seems he was a very popular guy.Another loss for the greenjackets and his family.


Condolences to his family on this sad day.


Respect.


Mark(RM)



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David Askew

Date:
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Jack - one of our larger characters 


Unique, loyal, sharp of mind, always entertaining, ever good humoured.... great to be around.


Many Condolences to family and friends,


You will be missed Jack.



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Richie Rudkin

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I got a call from Jack's brother this morning with the sad news. I met Jack when I joined in 71. He made me feel at home straight away and although he messed about he was a good soldier and helped me alot (being just under 18).  I was in 1plt with him when we went to Belfast, again he advised me. I was glad to be able to repay Jack in someway for when he got out the army I was able to get him a job as a porter in Broadgreen and later when he moved to the Cardio Unit. I was also lucky to live by Jack for a short time, were we would meet in the pub and have a laugh  talking about people and events from the past. I will miss him but atleast I had the good fortune to serve with him, work with him and know him as a true friend.


god bless you jack



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Jake Cheetham

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To Jack.


The Green Jacket



During the security of childhood and the insecurity of second childhood can be found the Green Jacket. The Green Jacket is a composite creature, he is a millionaire without a bob, a maverick without a pack of cards, laziness with a grin, conservative by persuasion, loyalist by nature. He is normally short in stature but long on guts. He sometimes loses but strives never to give in. he should have a good eye for trouble, but at the same time be colour blind to any colour other than green.


A Green Jacket can always be found around bars, drinking from or serving from them lying or dancing on them, but more likely swinging from them.


His likes are: ladies, women, girls,  mothers wives, sisters, daughters, aunts, girlfriends, females and any other member of the opposite sex but not always in that order.His dislikes are: RAF, Police, army food, unions, parliamentarians, work in any shape or form, his girlfriends old man’s curfew and bull.


A Green Jacket lives strictly within the code of conduct known as the soldiers ten commandments two of which he holds above all others.



1.              Thou shalt not steal thy comrades kit, lest they sins be visited upon by the quickness of the hand that blacketh the eye.


2.              Thou shalt honour thy paymaster, so that thy credits shall as numerous as the sands of Egypt be.



In short. A Green Jacket is a mystical person, no one can write to you so little and yet think of you so often, you can keep us out of your mailing list, but we hope you can’t keep us out of your hearts.


 


Many Condolences to family and friends,



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Ron Frampton

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Jack was unique and priceless, the stories about Jacks antics are too numerous, from the OCs room inspection in NI when Jack was in bed (after coming off patrol) in his finest womens clothes sussies and his favourite black and yellow negligee and the ever present bowler hat, the OC said "who's that"," its only Jack sir" was the reply. and when he phoned his dad from Belfast and told him he had been shot and put the phone down, dad was on the next ferry to Belfast and spent the next couple of days on patrol with the lads, and Jack, well he was only hit with a .22 and was only a bit brused but his ol fella gave him a bigger one.


Jack unique and priceless, rest in peace bud.


Look out angels he'll nick your underwear.


  



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Malcolm (Don)Donnison

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Sad news about Jack,  a true rifleman and greenjacket till the end.Condolenecs to his family R.I.P. Jack

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Billy Buchanan

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My first encounter of Jack was when he and Chunky Reynaud were going back to the Pool on leave, unfortunately I happened to be on the same train, by the time we reached Lime St I was totally polluted Jack & Chunky thought it very amusing to fill my pockets & holdall with British Rail KFS toilet rolls and anything else they could get their hands on, then park me up outside the Station Managers Office.This only one of Jacks escapades, Jack your a legend, your humour and performances will amuse generations. Condolences to Jacks Family, proud to have known you Jack. 



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Bill Netcher

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This is yet another sad day as one of Our Icons have sadly departed us to join that Big Muster in the Sky.


I met Jack when were in Celle in the Old 3 RGJ 68/70 and he never failed to have that magical smile and the Scouse Patter that he had and always that famous song of His Big Rock Candy Mountain which he always did for us in any of the Coy Bars and at the end there was always a big Cheer and more of the Amstel.


Jack RIP Old Friend and I am sure you will meet up with the others who have sadly gone.


My condolences to His Family.


 



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Paul Jackson

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So many nice things have been said about Jack, what a Rifleman, what a character, I would imagine that he is going to be missed by so many of his Civilian friends that he grew to know after leaving the Battalion,  It is a Fact the he will be missed by all of us Rifleman that had the pleasure of  working and socialising with one of the funniest men I have known.


 


God bless Jack, All our very best to the Spence Family.



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Jacko

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I remember jack for his great Wit and comradship he was a true character in the Battalion I think Jimmy said it all.


 


 


I too recall when we were in the guard room outside Albert Street Mill (A few weeks before he got shot on his way back to the mill just finishing patrol and his father came over) There was a threat from the edge of Divis (Before the RE!s erected the Hesion screen) we drew lots for who was going to get the coffees and Jack lost Jack dashed across the open ground to the mill got the 6 Coffees and shouted back was it ok to cross we gave him the go ahead as he dashed across 2 rounds came down from Divis and struck about his ankles needless to say the coffee went flying Jack head first through the door shouting from now on you get your own "F" coffees and laughed his head off.


I first met jack in Celle in "69", we hit it off great along will all the other "Scousers"


A great bloke. My condolences to his family , Never to be forgotten.


Mick (Jacko) Jackson



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micky

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Jimmy Mathews   Unfortnatly i put a meesage on the noticeboard before i looked at the Memoriam Board with your smashing words about Jack he loved football and i can see him shaping up to the ball right now,   Thanks for all the information and i know things have'nt been good for you either                                                              Milo

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Jimmy Matthews

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Jack Spence's funeral details. The service will be held on Friday the 28th at 1130hrs. 


It will take place at St Colombus Church, Pinehurst Avenue, Anfield, Liverpool. It will then proceed to Anfield Crematorium which is a short distance away. We will then get together at The Dockers Club, Townsend Lane which again is just a short distance away.


 The Church is situated at the junction of Utting Avenue and Pinehurst Avenue and is only a stones throw from Liverpool Football stadium Anfield. If you follow the signs to the stadium which are prominent whichever way you come, you will find it. If you have any problems Phone: 07849588170.


No flowers please. Jack had a special charity which he had a lot to do with.  Any contributions should be made to them. The Merseybeat Appeal, The Cardiothoracic Centre, Broadgreen Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L14 3PE.  Jack worked there for a number of years and was a very poular and valued member.


Jack always said he would like his funeral to be a Greenjacket affair Regimental ties etc. So I am sure we can oblige. Any cards or other forms of condolence should be sent to. Mr B Spence, 31 Wermbrook Road, Anfield, Liverpool, L4 2UH.  I hope we can have a good turnout. I love you all.


                                                                   Jimmy      Matthews 



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Geoff Morrish

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Jack - One of Liverpools finest. You gave us much laughter  and a few tears (of laughter ).


Always entertaining and a damm good soldier. You will be sadly missed by so many


My condolences to family and friends


 



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Chalkie Parfitt

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Very saddened to hear the news about Jack's passing. I also count myself lucky and honoured that I served with Jack and remember vividly some of the memorable escapades that Jack was instrumental in creating. Who else could invite his own father over to Belfast to go out on patrol after Jack had written/phoned him to tell him that he had been shot at and wounded.
His rendition of Blue Rock Candy Mountain certainly challenged and to my mind beat the Burl Ives original version hands down.(But that's what the Amstel does for you)
Jack you will be sorely missed and mourned as you go to join the great muster in the sky.
I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to Jack's family and friends.
Rest in peace fellow Rifleman.



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Del Hurding

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THE NEW OF JACK PASSED AWAY ON  SAT 22 . IT SADDENED ME  AS ALAN JOEL  I HAD THE HONOUR OF KOWING JACK  MY CONDOLENCES TO JACKS FAMILY.  ONCE A RIFLEMAN  ALWAYS A   RIFLEMAN .                            DELBOY                                



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Al Joel

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God Bless Jack,I had the honour of knowing you.


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Macker

Date:
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Just got the message.


I'm in the Niger Delta at the moment so I've only got limited access to this means.


Apologies for non attendance.


The regiment has lost one of its great characters and we have lost a friend.


Condolences.


I will be thinking of you all - thanks for passing on the message Sid - say farewell to my friend for me......


 


 


 


 



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Macker

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Circa 1972 - Shoeburyness - Friday room inspection - lockers closed......


Jack is standing to attention by his locker opposite Colin Egan whilst the Major checks everywhere for dust.....


'Is your locker tidy Egan?'


'Yes Sir'


'Well open it up and let's have a look shall we?'


At this stage Jack starts grinning.....


'Certainly Sir'


'Where did that little brown dog that's just bolted out of your locker come from?'


'Don't know sir....'



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Jay MCCreith

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Myself and my father Pete MCCreith are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Jack.Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. A true Rifleman and Green Jacket.



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Rik Twohey

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  I have only now just heard the news of Jack's  passing Iwould have attended his service .


nothing but fond memories this giant , from the day that he kidnapped me in Ballymurphy & tied me under his bunk in the Anti tank lines for 6 hrs untill I left in 84 will miss you Jack


                                             LEGEND



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Macker

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1980 - Winchester - a minibus load of scousers have turned up at my house and are attending Green Jacket Week.


While we are all out on the pop the misses knocks up the biggest pan of scouse you have ever seen.


We all get back to the house in the small hours to find Jack unconscious on the living room floor covered in a blanket.


He had returned early and eat the lot.


My misses still talks about that day.


Another time I got an electricity bill with 'See you at the reunion - all the best - Jack' written on the back of the envelope in biro - he was working for Royal Mail at the time and had spotted my address on the envelope. 



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Keith Pardoe

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I remember in Lybia,Pete Hollins wanted `volunteers`to guard the beer wagon,Jack, Davey Grimes and Nosher Grant got in the truck,when we got to our destination,Pete Hollins drpped the tail gate and out fell Jack and co,Hollins wasn`t very happy,Jack was though,God bless you Jack,RIP

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Trevor (Geordie) Anderson

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A bit late after the event; but I felt I ought to pay my respects to one of the 3rd Bn's characters. I was Jack's platoon sergeant in 2 pln A Coy in Celle, the UN tour in Cyprus, up to the battalion break-up in '71. After that we were both in R Coy in Belfast.


Memories of Jack's expoits remain fresh. I remember carrying an unconscious Jack over my shoulder from the "Koyote" in Celle to a taxi stand one freezing December night. Jack was suffering from a surfeit of Amstel. We ended up at the Krankenhaus by ambulance because the taxi driver wouldn't take him. That got us a free ride back to the barracks eventually.


His famous "wounding" and subsequent visit by his dad, a Liverpool Bobby, became part of R Coy folklore. Jack's dad enjoyed a few patrols in the Lower Falls too.


He was part of a gang which included "Dog" Ransom, "Migraine" Margraine and several others who although total reprobates, could always be relied upon when the chips were down.


A great guy who will be sadly missed.



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Ken Aldred

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My Condolences to Jacks family and friends, I last saw Jack at Eddie Mays funeral in


Winchester he hadnt changed still a funny bloke, we talked about meeting up in Jersey but it


never happened, RIP Jack.


Ken Aldred.


 



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Dave Moreland

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Bye Bye Big Jack


Yet Another Star in the sky fades away.


God Bless 



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steve hooley

Date:
RE: Death of Jack Spence.
Permalink Closed

Like Trever Anderson I am a bit late in saying how sorry I am to hear the sad loss of JackSpence.


I used to share a room with both Jack and 'dog' Ransome and I think billy Boyce, it was never a quiet room. I have many fond memories of Jack and even a photo of him with Jock bell, myself and George Foulkes ( our first trip to ireland on some airfield, kipping in tents) 


Anyone remember the time we were on excersise in some forrest, place snowing like made and 'dog' tells Jack (who's feet were killing him) that pure spirits will warm your feet up!! so Jack takes off his boots, pours over the vodka and hey presto!!!!! his feet swell up so he can't get his boots back on.I think he knew this and that he would get a lift back to barrage whilst we all had to walk.


Good on yer Jack, it's not the same place without guys like you.


 



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Dave Jarrett.

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Jack was not only a good rifleman and friend, he was fun to be with and a memorable character.


This is sad news.


God bless Jack.


 



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Ginger

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I remember Jack for many things and will miss him although I have not seen him in much more than twenty years or more ,A vivid memory of jack among many (this not meant to be rude or hurt anyone if family glance these boards ),I remember JACK turning up for guard inspection orderly officer in attendance in great coat steel helmet (first world war type) old type webbing with nothing on under the coat ,every officer walked past said nothing and the rest of us falling over laughing what could they say, he was a treasure of a person and many times he helped younger members of the platoon although a comedian he was a soldier much remembered well loved and I will miss him on this planet,I could tell you all some memorable tails but we may leave this until we all get to the grog shop in the sky , he is with a few others now enjoying the grog with some other fallen chosen men of the best the British army has to offer THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS God bless them all where ever you all are .


I am not for this government and its evil wars but I support the troops all the way they do not have a choice we all did/do what we are told but it never made it right ,soldiers are honrable men, politician's are bent corrupt and liars which saddens all of us ,with men like Jack and the youngsters in the regiments now who are our friends and comrads .What can we do when soldier are living on the streets now this very day unable to cope out their ,disregarded by the system that used them up, with bad medical attention ,medical problems and mental conditions and sending them to war with bad kit ,we had to always borrow off the yanks ,I know it saddened many i speak to about all this **** ,can anyone believe they are using depleted urainium and our soldiers are suffering because they load it ,use it etc there are many birth defects among the regiments  ,its all kept very quite ,what would jack say about this and what do we say .I know this will be removed but what about the young soldiers who will get wounded and put on the scrap heap when he is ,who will be living on the streets this christmass ,who will not get the best of care ,all because some bent politician/prime minister and the scabs in New labour fail us all  ,anyway all they best guys love to jacks family and if you can help the youngsters in todays army do so ,they need us more now than ever .RIP Love you jack take care guys all the best to green jackets and all troops new and old everywhere .merry christmass    



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