ALBERT ARTHUR (SANDY) POWELL<$>

1920 — 2006Sandy Powell began his military service in the Second World War in the same 17th Battalion of the London Tower Hamlets Regiment in which his father, John Albert Powell, had served in the First World War.

Two of Sandy’s brothers, Henry and Ronnie, also joined the 17th. His father was immensely proud to have three sons with him in the same regiment.

Eventually, the 17th Battalion was affiliated to the Rifle Brigade with headquarters in Winchester.

The Regiment’s early known history dates back to A.D. 894 when it is believed to have been part of King Alfred’s army facing the invading Danes.

Sandy’s mother, Eliza Louisa Powell, died when he was only ten. The family had to regroup. Older brother Henry went to work full time.

Sandy was assigned the responsibility of looking after younger brothers Ronnie and Eric. When he was 14, Sandy enlisted in the Regiment as a drummer boy.

Embodied at the outbreak of war, the unit was fully operational when the Battle of Britain began on July 10, 1940.

Stationed near Duxbury, North of London, Sandy witnessed the massive German air assault. he could see the bombs fall, as London shuddered from the explosions. Later in the summer of 1940, the Battalion learned it was to be sent overseas. It received a hint of where when issued with topees and tropical clothing.

By February, 1941 they arrived at Port Said on the Suez Canal en route to Egypt and the Western Desert. They moved into the front line at Mersa Brega, and became the first unit to feel the full force of German General Erwin Rommel’s attempt to recapture North Africa which earlier, the British had regained from the Italians.

The 17th Battalion sustained heavy casualties. During the enforced British 8th Army retreat, Sandy celebrated his 21st Birthday. So began the difficult march back to Tobruk . Much of it had to take place in darkness, a gruelling undertaking for motorised vehicles over sand.

When they reached Gazala, they passed through the Australians digging in on a new front line. Sandy remembered “the Aussies seemed a happy lot and fresh”.

They reached Tobruk by late afternoon, where they enjoyed the luxury (the word was never more appropriately used) of a night’s sleep. Next day they went on extended patrols.

Tobruk was completely cut off. Its epic defence became one of the most prolonged and valiant sieges of the war.

Men of the Regiment and the Royal Air Force won decorations for bravery. At Buq Buq , the RAF had left a large oil dump. The 17th were ordered to locate and dispose of it. They did by puncturing the drums with pickaxes and letting the oil drain into the sand.

As all the world knows, the Germans, like the Italians before them, were finally driven back by Field Marshall Sir Bernard Montgomery’s British 8th Army at El Alamein.

I remember reading a report by revered American war correspondent, Ernie Pyle. In the late stages of the North Africa Campaign, Ernie travelled with and wrote about the 8th Army.

He regarded it as the greatest military fighting unit of all time. Their self-confidence, he wrote, was supreme.

Sandy had advanced steadily through the ranks to become a platoon sergeant, a pivotal rank in every front line infantry company, consisting of three platoons.

At the conclusion of the North African Campaign, Sandy, by now also an experienced instructor, was seconded to Palestine to train Arabs and Jews at Tel Aviv in preparation for action in the Middle East.

His speciality was mortars, and he was immediately assigned to the mortar platoon of the colourfully named Greek Sacred Squadron, a sister regiment of the SAS.

It was being readied for an important raid. Sandy volunteered to go with them.

Later, he received a splendid letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the Squadron. Sandy concluded his War Service in Palestine as Company Sergeant-Major of No.2 Company of the Royal Army Service Corps.

With the War in Europe over, the Allies focused on Japan and the Far East. Destined for Eastern service, the Battalion required reforming under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Turner, VC.

He had been awarded the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Snipe, the turning point of the Battle of El Alamein.

The Rifle Brigade, in one day, with their 6-pounder guns, knocked out 57 German tanks.

Sandy Powell had been asked to remain with the 17th Battalion, and prepared to join them in Aberporth, Wales.

However, before that could happen, Winston Churchill announced Japan’s surrender.

Sandy’s career as a rifleman was over. He remembered the varied reactions among the soldiers. Many jumped for joy. Others sat reflectively with tears in their eyes. Undoubtedly, many wished former comrades who had been killed, could have been there to share the victory.

Returning to England, he found opportunity limited.

He applied to the Colonial Office with a view to emigrating to one of the colonies, and learned of openings in the Bermuda Police Department. He accepted one. It was to change his life forever.

In Bermuda, he was destined to meet Mary Mayor, who became his future wife.

Loved by all who knew her, Mary is one of Bermuda’s foremost artists.

Her paintings, among the very best ever by a Bermudian artist, enhance the walls of homes and galleries all over the world. Mary and Sandy were married in 1950. As soon as he could, Sandy applied for and was granted Bermuda status. He took great pride in his official status “No.3”.

The couple made their home at “Elm Cottage” in Somerset, where their children were born.

Following service with the Bermuda Police Force, Sandy branched out into insurance on his own, representing National Life of Canada and the Hartford Companies.

Hard work, long days and his native talent led to a successful insurance career extending over 30 years.

He was an expert in reading silver hallmarks, and enjoyed locating heavily tarnished pieces of silver and discovering what lay beneath the tarnish.

He was a member of Sandys Lions Club.

Dedicated to the traditions of freemasonry, Sandy was a member of the Atlantic Phoenix Lodge No. 224 and the Prince Alfred Lodge, as well as other lodges with higher degrees.

He became Past District Senior Grand Deacon in the District Grand Lodge of Bermuda shortly before he died.

He served regularly for many years on the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club’s committee boat during races.

His interest in and love of people led to a passion for travel. However, one visit to England to attend the annual Armistice Day Parade to the Cenotaph in London could have been permanently disastrous.

While making his way upstairs in a double-decker bus, the bus suddenly lurched forward.

He fell backwards down the steps and out on to the road, sustaining broken ribs, concussion and several large gashes.

Miraculously, he recovered with few ill effects.

Years previously, Sandy suffered a massive heart attack. With time and care, he recovered and bounced back to continue life with renewed zeal.

His family recalls that during his last year, he continued to pack his schedule as if he was still a young sergeant in North Africa.

In preparing this tribute to Sandy’s memory, I have drawn chiefly from two sources.

One is a detailed account of his wartime experiences which he wrote for the Mid-Ocean News, November 23, 2001.

The other to which I am privileged to refer, is the poignant and beautifully worded eulogy delivered by son John at the memorial service at St. Paul’s Church, Paget on June 16. Canon Patrick White officiated.

My personal memory of Sandy Powell is admiration for all he stood for in life, his well earned respect and sincere friendship.

I know I write for all of us when we especially remember Sandy’s wife, Mary, and their family: Eleanor Ann Norton of Bermuda; John Willian Powell, PhD, of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Allan Arthur Powell of Bermuda.

He was a member of the Bermuda War Veterans Association.

As a war veteran and former comrade, when in Sandy’s presence, I tended to stand a little taller.