Herbert Henry (Harry) McDortch was born in Manchester on 29th Nov 1917, during the time the Regiment he was later to serve in was at war in Ypres and Cambrai in World War 1.  He passed away suddenly in Hospital on 28th July 2009, aged 92.  His funeral was held at Overdale Crematorium West Chapel, Bolton at 1pm on Wednesday 5th August 2009.  
Harry enlisted into the Army in April 1933 at the age of 15 and after a short spell of Recruit Training he joined the King’s Regiment, where he served for 34 years both as a Soldier and then as a Late Entry Officer.    He held all ranks from Private/Kingsman to Regimental Sergeant Major prior to being commissioned.  Harry served in the Far East and Middle East during Word War 2.  

Harry quickly climbed the ranks and served as a (Warrant Officer Class 2) Company Sergeant Major in Korea were he received a Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) for his outstanding leadership and unselfish contribution to the war effort.   Harry later served with distinction with the Regiment in Kuwait and was awarded a Membership of the Most Excellent Order an MBE.  Harry was commissioned on 1st January 1957, to Lieutenant, and served as the Mechanical Transport Officer and later on promotion to Captain as Quartermaster.  

Harry was married, not only to the King’s Regiment but to a lovely lady, Penelope, affectionately known as Penny, who sadly passed away on the 18th June 2007.   Major Harry and Penny only had the one child a son;  Dudley who lives in Florida.   Sadly Dudley is unable to be here today.   I do know his heart is with you all today and Michelle, his granddaughter,  is recording the events on video ready to send to him.  

Harry’s interests included Golf, Amateur Photography, Walking and Gardening but as Michelle informed me only last week his real love was his Regiment and the soldiers he served with. 

Harry was asked to pen together a few words of his past. One of the questions asked was names of children, he wrote, Dudley, now married and producing children!   He was asked for his qualifications, Harry wrote, ‘Nothing Special!’  

At that time Harry may not have been a man of many words but I can guarantee that a Mention in Dispatches and an MBE speak volumes! I believe Harry’s qualities were courage, leadership, unselfishness, dedication to duty and the ability to command respect. I have not heard one negative comment made about Maj Harry and that put in context with our leaders of today tells me Harry had those special qualities that made him a legend in the Regiment. 

After he retired from the Army in 1968, Harry worked for Young’s Seafood and Barclays Bank in London.  Harry and Penny returned to the North West in the 1990s to be nearer their grandchildren in Bolton. 

Harry was featured in the Bolton News only last month when he suffered an electrical shock and a Sky Engineer, who had been at his house a few days earlier, came to his rescue.  There is no suggestion the electric shock suffered by Harry contributed his to death. 

Harry is survived by his Son Dudley, his three granddaughters, Caron, Michelle and Sarah and his five great-grandchildren.

 Rest in peace Harry

 ‘Nec Aspera Terrent’