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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBarry Grainger has passed away. The family will return his ashes to nature at a private ceremony on the 17th August 2024 on Lake St Claire, (between Ontario in Canada and Michigan in the US.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Official Notification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The official notification reads as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Maj(Retired) Barry Grainger RE has joined the Sqn bar. Barry and the REA Radio Branch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Radio branch members will remember Barry Grainger as BG. A top class instructor at the Signals Wing, RSME, where as the Senior Military Instructor (and later when he was commissioned), he spent much time organising many get togethers, courses and conventions, while working in several posts and during many different tours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Our apology for the quality of the photograph below but it shows a snapshot of BG in his element with a Regimental Signals Instructors course. (Photo Courtesy of Mac McCrystal)).<\/p>\n\n\n Barry’s lectures were always fun and had purpose. One of the guys in the photo (me) said of Barry, “Personally, he challenged me on one occasion to get a high pass in his favourite subject. This steered my life to some extent and was a moment which I will always be proud of, as he marked me down for a single punctuation error :). (“nobody gets 100%. – 99% then”. (happy with that)). Later I found out for myself the enjoyment you get from teaching antenna theory from memory”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically sound and worldly wise, Barry knew all the tools of the trade and how to use and obtain them. When Green Radio’s had thermionic valves, he used to fault find and tweak them without REME assistance. When Clansman Radio was coming into service, before anyone started teaching it, he tested it by following the round the world yacht race. The sapper team had a portable set on board and were sending back daily updates. One memorable time the signals came direct from Sydney Harbour. His enthusiasm for this spawned a number of legends about the trip and the antennas being used, and most of his anecdotes were rolled out with the new radio’s by the instructors he taught. The Clansman legend, working the world on a mast stay and thirty watts was directly attributable to BG’s telling of the experience. Of course everyone then had to beat that. Barry’s idea was to spread the enjoyment of communications, not just the job. The signal wing, as it was known, was certainly a place for like minded people in his time there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n having spotted this, In January 1997, Barry and others founded the Royal Engineers Association Radio Branch, and he was listed as President at the first AGM in November that year. The branch steadily grew a membership under his leadership, together with Tom Milne G4CMG and Spike Bernard G4AKQ in its early years. There came a point in 2006 when Canada caught his affection. Barry certainly loved the world, and worked different parts of it regularly via HF Radio from wherever he was. If you were going somewhere exotic, he would know just how to communicate with home and he encouraged experimenting as well as tried and tested methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please feel free to add you own anecdotes in the comments below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cheers Barry, wherever you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stuart Dixon<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barry Grainger has passed away. The family will return his ashes to nature at a private ceremony on the 17th August 2024 on Lake St Claire, (between Ontario in Canada and Michigan in the US.) Official Notification The official notification … Continue reading
Barry Grainger, born in 1936 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, peacefully passed away 12 July 2024 in Leamington, Ontario, surrounded by loved ones. He was a dedicated family man, military veteran, and cherished member of the community.
Born during a pivotal time in history, Barry experienced the challenges of wartime England, shaping his resilience and sense of duty from an early age. He attended Castle Street Primary School and Portchester Secondary School before embarking on a career that would span over three decades in the British Army.
His military journey began soon after his apprenticeship as a wood machinist, with three years of national service, where he quickly rose to the rank of Corporal. During his service, he met and married Valerie, and together they raised their children Karen and David.
Barry;s career took him across the globe, from Germany to Cyprus and Gibraltar, where he played significant roles in peacekeeping efforts and specialized projects in radio technology. His achievements included leadership roles such as Squadron Sergeant Major of 1st Fortress Squadron and contributions to the Royal Engineers’ signalling school.
Outside of his distinguished military career, Barry was an avid Formula 1 enthusiast, accomplished sailor, and dedicated member of the amateur radio community, known by his call sign G4TOG. \u201cTubby ol\u2019 grandad\u201d
In retirement, Barry and Valerie settled in, Ontario, where Barry remained an active member of the local radio ham club, embodying his lifelong dedication to communication and camaraderie.
Barry leaves behind a legacy of service, integrity, and love for his family. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him for his unwavering commitment to duty, his adventurous spirit, and his warm sense of humour.
No flowers, donations or sadness. Celebrate his life with a wee dram of your finest malt or a glass of port or two.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
If you were in the radio shack (or Den), often he would pop up for a chat, just to see what was going on, or to give a demo. Often there was something new, like data communications (when everyone else was using voice or morse code). Barry knew exactly how it all worked, advising how to select the right frequency for the time of day and area of the world you were going to. (This remains something of a black art – ed). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(The photo below shows BG at the inaugural AGM of the REARB in November 1997. Bottom row, Your right. The original was attached to the first branch newsletter.)
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