Jock Richie

6/9/1921 - 4/7/2012

To those who knew him he will fondly be remembered as 'Jock' (or 'Bob' to a few). He once said "You only get out of life what you put into it", when asked about his eventful life and eventful it has been with no regrets.

Jock was born in Bombay, (Mumbai) India on the 6th September 1921. Then in 1929 he and his family returned to Glasgow, Scotland where the young Jock joined the 24th Glasgow Scout Group. He was Patrol Leader, King Scout and Assistant Scoutmaster until 1941 when he joined the Royal Navy in World War II.

As member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), he served in the Eastern Mediterranean, West Africa, South Africa, and South East Asia. Demobbed in June 1946 he returned to Glasgow and rejoined his Troop as an ASM.

In 1948 Jock came to South Africa where he joined the 7th Green & Sea Point (GASP), then a brief stay in Johannesburg saw him in the Rovers and on returning to Cape Town went back to the 7th as ARSL, GSM and then ADC. In 1969 he became Divisional Commissioner Country in the Boland until 1984. He then became minute Secretary to the Area.

He had been in Scouting a long-long time, 80 odd years in fact. Jock also loved to regale members of the Heritage Committee, during their weekly meeting at the Western Cape office in Goodwood, with his impressive knowledge of naval battles and war stories. He had a phenomenal recall for hiking routes and histories of past scout groups and leaders. He will be sorely missed by all staff at the office.

For his long and faithful service to the movement he was awarded the 70 year Bar to his Long Service Award as well as the Medal of Merit, Bar to the Medal of Merit and the prestigious Order of the Silver Protea.

For hobbies Jock joined the Mountain Club of SA in 1953 and has a 50 year certificate and is an honorary life member of the Paarl/Wellington Chapter of the MCSA.

He was also Chief of the Caledonian Society, Treasurer and Honorary Vice President of the Naval Officers Association of SA.

A Chartered Accountant by profession Jock was a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Jock got married in 1955 and his family grew to 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

Farewell old friend, you will be sorely missed.