It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of my grandfather (John) Lionel Horbury on 12 January 2019. He was an extremely proud Commando and his 24 years service in the armed forces were the happiest of his life and remained the firm focus of his interests always.

Born in 1933 in Kendal, He completed 2 years National Service and was bitten by the bug so came back and enlisted in the army Feb 1954. In 1964 he was the oldest of 24 RAOC who travelled to Lympstone to complete his Commando training and was awarded his green beret [view image...], becoming part of the newly formed 3 Commando Brigade Ordnance Field Park (later renamed Commando Ordnance Squadron.)

In 1969 he was awarded the appointment of WO1 Conductor, the most senior non-commissioned officer in the army. He served in the Far East and Germany and also had a short appointment at the War Office, but never spent more than 12 months in the UK. He was awarded the Malaya General Service Medal, Malay Peninsula & Borneo Medal, Gulf War Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Liberation of Kuwait Medal and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal.

After his retirement from the forces, Lionel spent 12 years in Saudi Arabia working for British Aerospace. His wife Sheila flew backwards and forwards from their home in Ulverston, Cumbria to enjoy the expat lifestyle there with him. The stress of repatriating all the hundreds of families and staff there in 48 hours when the Gulf War started in 1990 caused a cardiac arrest and Lionel ended up repatriated himself. He retired and remained in the UK and once he was well threw himself into local history and community groups and his passion for stamp and militaria collecting.

Sadly his wife Sheila died in 2001 after 47 years of marriage. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral details to follow.

WO1 Cdr (John) Lionel Horbury 22592790
3 Cdo Bde Ordnance Field Park/Commando Ordnance Squadron
01/07/33 - 12/01/19

We will be holding a service to celebrate his life and send him on his way with a bugler from the Royal Marines band. The family would welcome any of his friends and comrades old and new.

Trevelyan Chapel, 1-3 Dalkeith Street, Barrow in Furness LA14 1SP.
Saturday January 26th 2019 at 11am
Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu for The Army Benevolent Fund can be left at the service or c/o Little and Caine, Ulverston.

Any queries [email protected]