Honouring the Life of Captain Anthony (Tony) Reddy: A Distinguished Veteran and Dedicated Cadet Leader
We recently had the honour of conducting the funeral for Captain Anthony (Tony) Reddy, a decorated veteran and respected figure in the cadet and military communities. Captain Reddy’s remarkable career spanned decades, beginning with the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from 1963 to 1976. He later served in leadership roles with the Army Cadet Force (ACF) at Whitgift School from 1976 to 1978 and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) from 1978 to 2005. Additionally, he was a member of the Reserve Forces, serving with the Queen’s Regiment and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment until 1995, achieving the rank of Sergeant as a regular and Captain within the CCF, ACF, and Territorial Army reserves.
Captain Reddy’s distinguished service was recognised with numerous awards, including the Northern Ireland General Service Medal, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, and the General Service Medal with a Borneo Bar. He was also the recipient of all four of the Queen’s Jubilee Medals and the Cadet Long Service Medal with three bars.
His funeral at the East Chapel of Croydon Crematorium was a fitting tribute to his extraordinary life and career. The chapel was filled with family, friends and colleagues, a testament to the respect and admiration he inspired. In attendance were representatives from every stage of his military and cadet career, including a Major, a Brigadier, an SBS regular, and numerous former cadets. The service featured two standard bearers, a guard of honour and a bugler for the Lord Mayor of London.
Captain Reddy’s coffin was draped with the Fusiliers regimental flag and adorned with his medals, beret and hackle, and officer’s sword, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service and leadership.
The ceremony was a poignant celebration of Captain Reddy’s life, honouring his legacy as a soldier, leader, and mentor to generations of young cadets. His contributions will not be forgotten, and his impact on those who knew him will endure for years to come.
