Family History – Vic Ient

Tribute to my brother John Ient

It is with great sadness that I write in remembrance of my dear older brother John who passed away peacefully on March 30, aged 85. John Ient, who was born in Malta on 2nd September 1934. He is much loved and will always be remembered. (see below for a link to tributes)

Maj J E Ient leading a troop of Royal Signals through Richmond, N. Yorks

John had a successful long career as a soldier in the Royal Signals before his retirement as a Major Quartermaster, some years ago. Born in 1934 in Malta where our father was serving in the Royal Signals, the family soon moved back to England on a new Army posting and ultimately the family moved to Hong Kong where dad had been posted in 1938. With the war in the Far East

George (L) & John Ient (R) flank my mother in a photo taken in Manila, Philippines in 1940

getting closer and closer mum and brothers John and George were firstly evacuated to the Philippines and then on to Australia where they spent the war. The family was separated from our dad from 1940 to 1945. In July 1945 mum and my brothers returned to England and by this time John was nearly 11 years old. When he was 15 he joined the Army Boys’ Service rising to the rank of Boy Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).

John Ient , Boy RSM (centre front) March Past in Beverley 1951

After transferring to the regular army he joined the Royal Signals and his army service included postings to Egypt, NATO/SHAPE headquarters at Fontainebleau France, Germany Singapore and Northern Ireland. John finished his career as a Major Quartermaster and lived many happy years in Richmond, Yorkshire with his wife Dorothy, who sadly died a few years ago.

My condolences to his son Gary and his family who live at Northallerton. With a heavy heart and fond memories from many decades ago,

John’s brother, Victor Ient

Tributes:

Click on the images below to go to specific tributes:

Announcement in the local Yorkshire newspaper with tribute

‘Much Loved’ web site with tribute and photos with link to Cancer Research UK

Link to Catterick Branch Royal Signals Association post about John

George and I make our last journey together

Royal Signals Corporal, George Ient at the British Army Nee Soon barracks in Singapore c1960

Last month George and I made our last journey together….. up to Aldershot crematorium from Portsmouth. I know this sounds a bit crazy since George’s funeral was in March but I had agreed that rather than have his ashes buried at the crematorium at Porchester, I would take them to Aldershot for them to be placed next to our mum and dad.

George was born in Aldershot in 1937. After dad’s army posting to Hong Kong, mum and brothers George, Tommy & John joined him there in 1938.

George (left) with mum and John in 1942 – photo taken in Baguio, the Philippines

In July 1940 mum and my brothers were evacuated to Australia where they spent the rest of WWII. Finally they returned to Britain in 1945 and following a brief spell staying with relations in South Wales and with Granny in Hounslow, Middlesex, George returned to Aldershot as an eight-year-old.

I spent many happy hours with George exploring the countryside, near our house, when I was four or five years old, until George, at the age of 15, joined the Army Boys Service. So I thought it most appropriate that he and I go on one last journey

through those beautiful Surrey Hills, including Crooksbury Hill, which was the first place he took me on these explorations. Earlier this month, George and I went on that journey to his final resting place at Aldershot crematorium, just a few hundred yards from our home in Gloucester Road.

In memory of George Richard Ient

In memory of George Richard Ient – 1937 to 2017

It is my sad duty to inform you that my brother George passed away last week. The family, friends and I will miss him very much. Right now however I would like to share with you some photos in memory of him and give you details of the funeral:

The funeral will take place at 11.15am, 29th March at: Portchester Crematorium, Upper Cornaway Lane, Portchester, Hampshire. PO16 8NE. 01329 822533. In addition you may visit the chapel of rest at the funeral directors’ premises. You must call them first to let them know you are coming: Lee Fletcher Funeral Services, 95 High St, Portsmouth PO6 3AZ tel: 023 9238 4455 Floral tributes should be sent to Lee Fletcher on the day For those that want to make donations rather than floral tributes please donate to the charity WaterAid which George supported. There will be a reception after the funeral. Please let me know (vic@ient.org.uk) if you would like to come. Or tel: 01273 251964

Here is a link to the photo album (I hope to add more as time goes by):

https://plus.google.com/+VicIent/posts/7itsufz6nU1