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'Colonel Arthur' - a great officer dies
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Lieutenant Colonel Arthur John Ferrary died on Tuesday 3 October. He rose to prominence during a military career which spanned seven decades.
On 8 November 1941, at the age of just 17, he enlisted in the Gibraltar Defence Force as a Gunner, where he manned Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft guns. Later in life he was to describe the guns as 'the best toys I ever had.'
During Gunner Ferrary's years of wartime service his battery saw action defending the Rock from Italian and Vichy French aircraft.
He stayed in the GDF permanent cadre and was commissioned in 1957 to the rank of Second Lieutenant. Soon after, on 28 April 1958, he was to see the birth of the Gibraltar Regiment.
Lieutenant Ferrary progressed to command the Regiment's Infantry Company, with which he began the custom of annual training camps in the UK. As Lieutenant Colonel he went on to command the Regiment from July 1972 to July 1975, during which time he was awarded the OBE in recognition of his 'long and dedicated service'.
He remained influential in the Regiment for the rest of his life as a member of its Council of Colonels, taking the appointment of Honorary Colonel from 1985-1989. This was a busy period for the Regiment as it culminated in its 50th anniversary; for all but two of those years, Lt Col Ferrary had played his part as a member of the Regiment and its founding Corps.
In the Regiment's commemorative magazine he wrote 'Little did I know when I volunteered to join the Gibraltar Defence Force as a Gunner that 48 years later I would be celebrating with the Regiment as its Honorary Colonel on the 50th anniversary of its formation.'
When Lieutenant Colonel Ferrary was not commanding real soldiers he delighted in collecting model soldiers. His huge collection was the envy of the Gibraltar Model Soldier Society of whom he was a leading member.
'Colonel Arthur' will be fondly remembered by his Regiment as a great officer and indeed, one of its founding fathers.
The perfect gentleman
by W.L.Chamberland
With the passing away of Col Ferrary or Arturo as he liked to be called by his many friends, Gibraltar has not only lost the kindest of man but a perfect gentleman, a Military expert in many fields, was always consulted by local and other military historians. To all of us privileged to have served under him, a great experience.
I first made contact with him way back in 1957 at the time that talk of conscription was on everyone's lips for various reasons and the Officer cadre was instigated, I was also proud to have served under him in the Reserve and although we each parted company, militarily for a while, he went on to command the Regiment and was the force behind the formation of the Corps of Drums in 1975 to be followed by the Band, something which even in his modesty he was so proud of and all those of you out there who knew him must accept that he would never utter an unkind word to anyone, this was the kind of man he was.
He was Life President of the Gibraltar Model Soldier Society to which as usual he gave his utmost and his collection, the envy of so many, had to be seen to be believed and was his personal pride and achievement, seen by many of us but also high ranking visitors and Governors. I will never forget him telling me you must come home to view my latest, and little did I suspect that his modest display were the complete Bands of the Brigade of Guards.
Arturo was also the driving force when the Regimental Association was formed and even with the initial constraints he was always there encouraging all of us who served in the committee, in my case I am proud to have succeeded him as Chairman although I will never be able to reach his high standards. Arturo will be in our thoughts for ever, may God grant him the highest of accolade.
Our most sincere condolences go to Lily his wife, Odile and Andrew his children, his grandchildren and all members of his family.
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