Obituary for Lieutenant Colonel G Sherwell WKhM

Graham Sherwell was called up in 1956 for National Service in the Royal Hampshire Regiment and served with them until 1959, attaining the rank of Sergeant before being commissioned into The Northamptonshire Regiment, serving with them and, after amalgamation in June 1960, with 2 E Anglian. He was with them in Watchet, Wuppertal and Osnabruck and was initially in D Company followed by C Company.

He played rugby for the Battalion and was awarded his Colours for the 1960/61 season. In January 1963 Graham retired from his short service commission, and in April 1964 joined the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federal Army, serving in the Northern Rhodesia Regiment. Upon the break-up of the Federation he continued to serve with the rank of Captain in the Zambia Army. He held various posts until September 1967 when he was promoted major and appointed OC Officer Wing in the School of Military Training.

Graham then decided he wanted a change and, in January 1970, accepted a contract with the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) in Oman as a Captain and serving in the Desert Regiment (DR) then commanded by Colonel Teddy Turnill, late Northamptonshire Regiment and Royal Anglian Regiment. His first appointment was OC HQ Company and within four months was promoted Raaid (Major). In June 1972 he was appointed 2IC, a post in which he proved himself a first class logistician and administrator.

Both Teddy and his successor, Colonel Nigel Knocker QUEENS, were eternally grateful for his work and support. Graham was awarded in September 1972 the Commendation Medal and in January 1974 the Distinguished Service Medal (WKhM) by HM the Sultan.

Graham was then selected to form a Battle Camp at Saiq in April 1974, but within seven months was promoted Muqaddam (Lieutenant Colonel) and appointed by John Akehurst (commanding Dhofar Brigade) to command HQ NORWEB (North West Dhofar) based at Thumrait and known as Midway. There was civil unrest between the contractors building an airfield to accommodate Hercules and Hawker Hunter aircraft, and the local Dhofaris together with labourers from Pakistan and the Gulf. Graham sorted out the problem in no time. John Akehurst described him as ‘the man of the hour’. He remained a great asset in Dhofar for some years to come.
Graham completed his service in July 1978 when he returned to the UK.

Nothing is known of his final years except for a time he was involved in racing and was a part owner of a race horse. During his career he also kept a pet piglet called Percy.

Graham was a fine soldier much respected by all who knew and served with him.