Obituary: The Right Rev Anthony Tremlett

TONY TREMLETT's death will sadden the dwindling band of guardsmen of all ranks who knew him with respect and admiration in the wartime 4th Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, writes Sir Michael Palliser (further to the obituary by Lorna Kendall, 28 August). Early in his service with us he acquired the affectionate nickname of 'Trubshaw', the origin of which is now lost in the mists of time. Characteristically, he revelled both in the nickname and in the affection it reflected.

The qualities so admirably described by Lorna Kendall were, as she suggests, honed and sharpened by his service as the battalion's Anglican chaplain, in particular throughout the campaign in north-west Europe. Much as he enjoyed friendship, good food and wine and good company, it was his own real goodness that illuminated his approach to the difficult role of a wartime padre. But the quality that most endeared him to his wartime comrades was his physical courage fortified, no doubt, by the unswerving nature of his Christian faith.

The official history of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, of which the 4th Coldstream was part, records a battlefield shelling in which two sergeants and five guardsmen were wounded and all except one later died in hospital. 'Fortunately the Padre, the Rev AP Tremlett, happened to be near in his medical half-track and did noble work giving first aid to the wounded, although several times rudely disturbed by the arrival of more shells.'

That says it all about Tony Tremlett. He was always there to help and comfort and he was fearless in doing so. He seemed worldly and his comrades enjoyed that; but he was a true man of God and will certainly rest in peace.