EV (DON) LOSEBY
Gunner/Signaller 11006868

22nd March 1922  -  7th June 2006

 Don Loseby served in the 55th Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery and the 28th Jungle Field Regiment R.A. 'Martinique' 3rd Battery on 25 pounders, in India and Burma.  He also served in UK Coastal Defence - searchlight battery.  He also served in Northern Ireland and with the 55th Heavy Regiment R.A. on the 155mm Howitzers.  Whilst serving in Burma, he met and was one of the drivers for Gracie Fields.

Born 1922 and lived Saffron Lane Estate.  He was a member of St. Christopher’s Church there where he met Margaret SMITH and married May 1944.

After leaving the British Army in 1946, after various decorating, then selling jobs, Don was ordained into the Church of England and became a vicar working in various parishes in Leicester and Leicestershire. 

 As a 'civvie' he became very involved with the building of St. Luke’s Church, Stocking Farm, Leicester and during that time had a vision from which he knew that his life involved being part of the ministry.  (Saw a tree which to him had the face of Christ in the bark of the trunk). Went through much abuse and ridicule at work through his decision to train to become priest.  He continue and was ordained in October 1966.

In 1967 he married his Royal Marine son Paul to Penny in Exmouth, Devon.

Then went on to become Vicar of Seagrave and Walton on the Wolds.  Whilst there he became pen friends with singer Gracie Fields.  He then moved to Thurnby Lodge where he was the Vicar of Christ Church on Thurncourt Road. Whilst there, he raised the money and co-ordinated the building of the new Church hall. 

Around this time became involved with the Wigston and District Branch of the Burma Star Association and was appointed Chaplain.  He went on to become Secretary, Public Relations Office and Chaplain taking services throughout the Midlands for the Burma Star Association.

He then moved to Swinford where he became the Vicar of Swinford, Shawell, Catthorpe and the 14^th century (dates back to 1307) Stanford on Avon Church where with the help of Robert Hardy and TV, he raised the money for the repairs to the Church and replacement of the stained glass windows.

Retired in the late 1980’s but still carried on a full Ministerial life taking services throughout Leicestershire, the last one being on the night of the 6^th June, hours before he passed away.

In 2002, he married Grandson David to Vanessa at Broughton Astley.

For the Burma Star Association he was very involved in fundraising and penned a small book (The Slim Diary’) on General Field Marshall Sir Bill Slim which raised £1000 towards the statue of the General which now stands in Whitehall.

He loved everything about the comradeship and aims of the Burma Star Association and valued the friendship of all of the Members and Ladies Section.  Having lost his wife Margaret in 2002, he put everything into working with the Association and his last wish was to ensure that the Wigston branch made a dignified closing as membership dwindled through deaths of members.  This he achieved on Sunday 23^rd April 2006 when there was a ‘Laying Up of the Standard’ service at All Saints’ Church, Wigston.  (Article in the Leicester Mercury 25^th April).  This was followed by a Farewell Dinner on the 27^th April at the Wigston Royal British Legion.  This was attended by many dignitaries including Lady Martin and the Hon. Mark Slim, Grandson of General Sir William Slim – Commander of the 14^th Army in Burma.

Ev Loseby died at Stuart Court (home for Retired Clergy) of natural causes on 7^th June 2006.

He leaves behind, son Paul and his wife Penny, Grandsons Richard and David (and his wife ‘Ness’), Great Granddaughter Ellie and many many friends everywhere.

Paul Loseby
pal@loseby.co.uk