Jim Bidwell`s Funeral was at Roydon Church at 10:30 on 24th Friday September, followed by the Wake at Diss Bowls Club.

There has been a page set up for memories of Jim

https://jamesbidwell.muchloved.com/

Attending the Funeral were 5 Standards, 4 RBL and 1 RAFA, plus a representative from the ATC and ACF in Uniform, the Mayor and Town Clerk of Diss, two Norfolk Councillors, plus an assortment of `Faces` from the Diss Area, Canon Billet of St Marys, Diss, who is our Legion Padre, took the service.

Also various Legion members from not only Diss, but other Branches, plus a lot of Family members.

The Co-Op laid a wreath on the Roydon War memorial in Jim`s Memory.

ASK JIM

Well, what can I say about Jim that you do not know.

If you wanted a Poppy Collection, ask Jim

If you want a Poppy wreath, ask Jim

If you wanted a boot sale organised, ask Jim

If you wanted a meal organised, ask Jim

If wanted a trip out organised, ask Jim

If you wanted the Church decorated with Poppies, ask Jim

If you need to know something about the Legion, ask Jim

In fact I don't think even Jim knew exactly what he did or knew about the Legion!

And finally if you want a new Legion member, ask Jim, he will soon have you under his spell

November 2018, I had popped round to some friends at Roydon, and while passing the church, there was two guys decorating the Church Railings with Poppies, so I stopped to say hello and to basically be nosey, to find out why the Church was being decorated that way for Remembrance?

These two guys turned out to be Jim and Mike our standard bearer.

Jim asked why I was interested, so explained about my Parents part in the war and my Families various World War 2 losses, so he asked was I a legion Member.

I said no as I had not `Served`, No problem said Jim (and that was the first thing I learnt from Jim), give me your address and I will drop a membership form round, he did not let the grass grow under his feet, next day Jim and form arrived on my doorstep, and as they say the rest is History, and by November 2019, I am one of the guys helping to decorating the Church!!

The Legion motto is Service not Self, well that sums up Jim.

Finally, I have lost a great Friend and Adviser, and sadly I can no longer, Ask Jim.

R J Rogers, Branch Secretary.

A silence for Jim was held at the Diss Annual Town Meeting on the 29/09/21

Jim's Wife Janet Passed away April 2024