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Peter Bevan
Late Welsh Guards
by Jan Koops
formerly Welsh Guards
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 Peter Michael Maybery Bevan, aged 59, died suddenly on 23rd June 2015 at his home in Creigiau near Cardiff. This came as a harsh and bitter blow to those who cherished Peter’s bright, acerbic humour and unfailing loyal friendship.
Peter was born in Cilfrew near Neath on 1st April 1956. He attended the Dragon School followed Stowe and then went on to Reading University, gaining a degree in Agriculture.
As a young officer, on a Short Service Commission in the Welsh Guards, Peter led his men valiantly in the aftermath of the detonation of a 500lb bomb which instantly killed 18 year old Gdsm Paul Fryer whilst on patrol in Crossmaglen, South Armagh on 13th November 1979. Coming only weeks after the Warren Point ambush and the murder of Lord Mountbatten, the disturbing impact of this incident was felt all the more when seen in stark contrast to the Battalion’s otherwise outstandingly successful tour during which a number of terrorists were caught and arrested.
Despite the potentially debilitating impact of the incident, Peter continued to lead his men with humour and tenacity during a period of very intensive patrolling. It is said that this only let him down on one occasion when after an extended two week foot patrol around the pastures of South Armagh he was due to RV with the relieving patrol at a grid reference relating to a “bend in the road”. To the day he died, Peter believed that he had arrived at the right bend in the road.
The trauma of Peter’s experiences caused him to suffer from PTSD. Whilst held strictly at bay the majority of the time, the symptoms were to unfortunately haunt him intermittently during the rest of his life. If we knew then what we know now, there is no doubt that more support could have been given to help him cope with the various ‘triggers’ and resulting flashbacks that were to burden him.
During his Short Service Commission he served with the Welsh Guards in Berlin, South Armagh, Pirbright and the Guards Depot. Whilst at Pirbright Peter gained his Day Skipper’s Licence and subsequently took members of his platoon on many memorable sailing trips aboard Gladeye, always leaving and returning to the moorings on the Hamble with a happy, content and satisfied crew. If the weather blew up they might only make it to Buckler’s Hard, but for Peter, with his extensive knowledge on a multitude of different topics, this would provide an opportunity to share with the assembled crew a colourful and amusing collection of stories, interspersed with the soulful beauty of a vocal rendition of the odd Welsh ballad or two.
On leaving the Army, Peter forged a successful career with Towry Law as a financial adviser. Whilst living in London he met and married Penny in 1982. They had two children, Jack and Lucy, both of whom became the overriding focus of Peter’s enjoyment in life. He was deeply proud of them both and the strong relationship they enjoyed was a pleasure and example for all to behold. Following the birth of his two children Peter felt the need to fulfill his agricultural calling and moved to Herefordshire to farm with his Godfather. In time the family moved closer to the home of his parents-in-law in Suffolk where he continued to farm.
Troubled by bouts of ill health, Peter was to return home to his beloved Wales. Whilst he was a very keen shot, he was never happier than in his waders, casting his fly on one of the many rivers he enjoyed throughout the length and breadth of the Country. In addition he discovered two passions that were to sustain him in his later years. The first was gardening and he was a trusted gentleman gardener to many local clients who enjoyed his attention to detail and quiet friendly manner. The second was woodwork, a skill at which he had proved very adept since his schooldays. He won prizes for scale models of furniture and an historic canon. There was nothing that absorbed Peter more than restoring antique furniture to its former glory with patience and sensitivity. He loved doing this so much that he often felt embarrassed to receive proper payment. He was very much an artisan.
As a keen supporter of the successful Walk on Wales 2013 initiative, with Jack, Lucy and his brother James by his side, Peter proudly led the assembled crowd from the beach at Whitesands Bay, St David’s on the stage of the Walk in memory of Gdsm Paul Fryer. He subsequently rekindled many old friendships and it was a fitting tribute to his memory that his Company Commander and ten of his fellow Platoon Commanders from South Armagh were in attendance at his funeral where both Jack and Lucy spoke magnificently about their father.
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