Book of Remembrance

Late Grenadier Guards By Colonel D.H.C Gordon Lennox, formerly Grenadier Guards. Dermot Blundell died earlier this year after a long period of ill health. At his Memorial Service on 30th April, the Guards Chapel was filled with his many friends. Born in 1935, Dermot spent most of the war with his mother’s relations in Canada, returning to school here with a broad Canadian accent, quickly eradicated. After Eton he joined a firm of City accountants but his life-long delight in good living abruptly ended his career. He chose, instead, Sandhurst and the Grenadier Guards, a decision he never regretted acquiring a great love of his Regiment and a genuine interest in all aspects of military life, past and present. However as a young officer he was better known for his development of the practical joke to the limit, and some senior officers said well beyond that limit. Some legendary pranks in Germany nearly ended a second career, but he survived. Two years as ADC in New Zealand were followed by a spell at Regimental Headquarters and the Staff College which he went to at the first possible opportunity. After commanding a Grenadier Company in a Scots Guards Battalion in Sharjah, he was appointed DAAQMG of 4th Guards Brigade before returning to the Staff College as an instructor. Dermot was an extraordinarily good staff officer with a clear mind and ready pen. He loved writing and to the end used to send letters to his friends, usually bemoaning the state of the world but always finishing with a grateful twist. He commanded our Second Battalion in Hong Kong and England, followed by taking over the British Army Training Team in the Sudan. Promoted to Brigadier, he became Chief of Staff London District and Commander of 56 London Brigade. As a commander, Dermot was always a great supporter of his subordinates, but was not always so full of admiration towards his superiors. He retired after a staff job in Mons and moved to Worcestershire, enjoying the country and his dogs but retaining his interest in military affairs. He became National President of the Grenadier Guards Association and was Chairman of the local branch of SAFFA for fifteen years. Sadly his later life was dogged by ill health, although he had wonderful support from his second wife, Sally, and from his large family.