RSM Donald McMahon RVO Grenadier Guards 1929-2016

RSM Donald McMahon MVO Grenadier Guards 1927-2016.

It is with great sadness that I report the death following a short illness of RSM Don McMahon on 27^th February 2016.

Don McMahon served at the RSM of the Army Apprentices Colleges at Arborfield from 1966 to 1968.

Born at Holt in Norfolk, Don had enlisted in the army as long ago as 1945. He went on to serve in North Africa, Malta, British Guinea and the British Cameroons, before Arborfield he had competed his twenty-four years of service. In his own words he had enjoyed a most varied career including several spells of public duty that included no less than four great national occasions. He was made a Memebr of the Victorian Order when he was in charge was in charge of the escort from Sandringham to Windsor for the funeral of King George VI. He was a member of the bearer party at the State Funeral of Queen Mary and was also on duty during the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965. Perhaps his happiest duty was Her Majesty’s Robing Room in Westminster Abbey at Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953.

He was greatly respected by the Army Apprentice boy soldiers at Arborfield and in 1968 the Senior Division requested that he be allowed to “march off” with them, the very first time that an adult soldier be afforded this special honour.

On his retirement he retained his links with Army Apprentice training at Arborfield and attended several Old Boys Association Reunions.

Don will be sadly missed by so many veterans of both the Grenadier Guards and REME ex-apprentices. I found him a very wise caring and sympathetic man when I served with him at Arborfield in the 1960’s.

His funeral will be held at St James Church in Finchampstead at 1430hrs. His daughter has requested that donations be made to “Help for Heroes” rather than flowers.

Ken Anderson 58A.