Death of Major Alex Saunt MBE- 17th August 2023, aged 85

He died in a French hospital having had a heart attack whilst walking, following a battlefield tour.

Alex was commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry in August 1958 and was posted to the 1st Battalion in Warminster, and on the amalgamation, he moved to Osnabruck a year later to serve with 1 SCLI. Having served in Gibraltar as a platoon commander, he was then posted to 22 SAS at Hereford in the rank of Captain. After serving two years with that elite force, he was posted to 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry, which was located in Lemgo, West Germany. He was a company commander and saw active service with the Battalion in Northern Ireland. He was awarded an MBE in 1972.

From 1975-76, he was appointed as Training Major with 5th Battalion, The Light Infantry (Volunteers) based in Shrewsbury, before being posted to HQ 1 (Br) Corps in Bielefeld, West Germany. He held the appointment of GSO 2 (Electronic Warfare). His final posting was a 3- year tour at the Ministry of Defence in London carrying out the task of SO2 in the Sales Directorate. He retired from the Army in 1992. He continued to take an interest in regimental affairs throughout his retirement and regularly attended the annual Regimental Lunch in Taunton.

Alex married Barbara who pre-deceased him in 2021. Together, they set up, and operated, a care home for the elderly in Wiltshire. He was a founder member of the Codford Local Historical Society. There will be a private burial. Those wishing to send a letter of condolence to Alex’s daughters, Anna, or Wendy, can obtain their contact details from the Rifles Office (Taunton).