The referance to Norman Wisdom passing, I served in the same regiment we have been in contact over the years he lived in Peel Isle of Man.
It falls to me as one of the few left to pass on the news, that is becoming far too often, as just yesterday Wednesday another was cremated from the Chelsea Hospital.
Zimmerman wrote on Oct 5, '10.
It is with regret that I have to inform you of the death of Norman Wisdom who died at 18 46 4th October 2010
one of our Old Comrads of the 10th Royal Hussars.
Zimmerman wrote on Oct 7, '10
Norman Wisdom did in fact serve in three regiments.
He first enlisted into the King’s Own Royal Regiment ( Lancaster ) but his mother got him "unenlisted" as he was under age. He later re-enlisted as a Drummer Boy in the 10th Royal Hussars and in 1930 There he gained an education certificate, rode horses, now a Bandsman was posted to Lucknow India.
Leaving the Army just prior to the war having improved his diction in the army he took a job as a night Telephone Operator.
At the outbreak of World War 11 Norman Wisdom was sent to work in a communications centre in a command bunker in London where he connected telephone calls from war leaders to the Prime Minister . He met Winston Churchill on several occasions when asked for updates on incoming calls and once was disciplined for calling him Winnie. He then joined the Royal Corps of Signals and performed a similar function with a military unit based in Cheltenham Gloucestershire. Leaving the Army in 1946.
On 28 December 2008, Sky News announced that Wisdom had died,
On hearing the news concerned parties enquired about his death at his nursing home, his nurse is said to have found him sitting in the lounge quite well, she remarked we thought you were dead, he replied “well it don't hurt!”
So Norman had the last laugh.
Normans Funeral.
Residents of the Isle of Man have been given an open invitation to attend the funeral of comedy legend Sir Norman Wisdom, who died on Monday.
The service for the 95-year-old comic, who spent his retirement as an Isle of Man resident, will take place on Friday 22 October.
A horse-drawn hearse will take his coffin to St George's Church, Douglas.
The service will be followed by a private burial ceremony for family and friends.
Mourners will be able to pay tribute to the comedian as the cortege will drive along Douglas Promenade starting at its Onchan end at 1335 before the funeral at 1400.
A spokesman for Sir Norman's family said there was an open invitation to islanders to attend the service at the church, which holds 500 people, as well as the reception at Sir Norman's Bar in the Sefton Hotel, Douglas.
It is regretted that I will be unable to attend., but wil be in mind at the time.
( Smiler )