Royal Marines Association, Costa Blanca Branch, Spain: Vale
In Memory of Dennis Hogget
Eulogy delivered by Royston Kear:
We are here to pay tribute to our departed comrade Dennis Hogget, and to celebrate his life. I hope I can do justice to him.
Born Denis, Alfred, Jack, on the 30th of April 1943 in Twickenham.
He left school at sixteen and worked briefly as an assistant storekeeper, before embarking on a career in the Royal Marines, starting off as a Junior Royal Marine at The Depot RM Deal in June 1959.
That was where I first came into contact with Dennis, although, at that time, to me he was just another Junior Marine undergoing his initial 22 weeks training at The Depot.
I was doing my PTI's qualifying course at The School of PT in The Depot at the same time, and my course was given the Squad that Dennis was in to train up to a high enough standard to continue with the rigours of training at ITCRM Lympstone and finally on to the Commando School at Bickley.
Since meeting Dennis here in Spain we have had time to talk a little about our time in the Corps, and distant memories have floated back to me of Dennis's performances in the gymnasium. For those of you who can remember your training in the gym (It was Swedish PT in those days). Some will have fond memories, some will hate their PT Instructors, and for some it will be sheer terror. There was never any terror for Dennis, just absolute determination.
There was one incident we recalled at T Box vaulting. Do you remember the T Box?
Those with natural ability and co-ordination, no problem, they sailed over, Those with no speed or co-ordination, no problem, they never got halfway over the box. And then you had those who were fast, but poorly co-ordinated. But, if they had "NO FEAR" then the poor old PTI could look out. Dennis was in this category. We usually put two PTI's on the box to "Save" , More often than not Dennis would "Wipe them out" and he would be landed safely on his feet. The PTI's would get up, dust themselves down, and pray he didn't have another go, he usually did, because that was Dennis, he never knew when to call it a day.
He finished his training at The Depot and carried on training at ITCRM, now called CTCRM.
On completion of training at ITC he went to Bickley camp to do the Commando Course, where on completion he was presented with the coveted "Green Beret". And then on to RMB Eastney for Kings Squad training and final Pass out Parade.
Having completed his trg, he was drafted to 40 Cdo. From where he was sent to do a HW3's course. He achieved a superior pass on this course. This determined his future in the Corps and he went on to serve in all the commando units over a period of the next 9 years. They were, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 45 Cdo.
While's in 43 Cdo. He was sent to Eastern Kings, Stonehouse Bks. To do his JNCO's course, the hardest of the promotion courses in the Corps to pass. He was successful and was sent on to do a HW2's course, on completion of which he became a Motor Tp Section Commander, now you know why he was deaf like, most retired RM's. He continued to serve in Cdo. Units until his LS1 term expired in April 1970, having completed 10 years 310 days service of VG conduct, and been awarded the NGS Medal with "Brunei" clasp, and the GS Medal with "Borneo" clasp. He would have been entitled to the new "Malaysian Medal. I hope he applied for it.
Dennis was involved with the Cadet Force at Steadfast, having joined them as a child, and became a Cadet Instructor and kept in regular contact with them for 21 years. He also had ties with the Cadets in America.
Dennis joined the Police Force in 1970 and was in the Armed Response Team. He was involved in The Iranian Embassy Siege, the Brixton Riots, various Royal Weddings, the visit of the Pope, Ronald Reagan and various terrorist activities in the London area.
He was medically retired from the Police Force in 1998. He also married Christine in 1998 and they moved to Spain.
Dennis has always kept himself involved in ex service men's activities, having been Chairman of the Torrevieja RNA, a member of the Torrevieja RBL, Branch, and was the current Chairman of the Ondon RBL Branch. He was involved, as a founder member in the setting up of the new Royal Marines Association Costa Blanca Branch, and had already set to raising funds for this new, and only RMA in Spain. We will sadly miss his knowledge and zeal, especially his ability to raise funds for our associations and the charities he was involved in. But mostly, we will ALL miss him as a friend and Comrade.
GOD BLESS YOU DENNIS.