ONE of the most famous members of Hereford’s SAS regiment, who scaled the heights of Everest and helped hundreds of children realise their potential, has died at the age of 70.

John ‘Brummie’ Stokes remained active on leaving the army by setting up the Taste for Adventure centre in Credenhill with his wife, Lynn, in 1991.

She, along with their sons, Samuel, 36, and Benjamin, 34, paid tribute to Brummie following his death on Sunday.

She said: “You couldn’t help but laugh at Brum. He was a very large character with a large personality and a large heart. He always wanted to help people.”

They set up Taste for Adventure in their back garden to help under-privileged children take part in outdoor activities such as climbing and abseiling.

Samuel works there today, and Benjamin was employed there before going to work on the oil rigs.

Lynn, who lives in Holmer, said: “Brum felt he had a wealth of experience and knowledge. He was full of wisdom.

“He wanted to put something back into the youth. Kids then, they were getting into trouble.

“They had nothing to do and he wanted to really direct their paths in a better way.”

The centre also takes paying groups to subsidise the charitable work performed with youngsters and the elderly.

Samuel said: “It is to show less privileged children that there is more to life and they are capable of more if they are willing to step through that door.”

Brummie was awarded an MBE in 2004 in recognition of his work.

Lynn, 58, said he could talk to anybody and was very inspirational.

She added: “He touched a lot of people’s lives – all over the country. Young people, they didn’t forget him. He was like a magnet really. They loved his stories.

“He was just lovely to listen to and that is what I will miss the most – the stories.”

The couple met when Lynn worked at the Oxford Arms in Widemarsh Street in 1977.

She said persistence, flowers and cards won her over and they started dating before they married in Hereford’s registry office in 1981.

Brummie loved being a grandad to Arthur, who is 14 months old and the son of Samuel and his wife, Emily. Benjamin and his wife, Lori, live in Bournemouth.

Samuel said: “Dad was a giver, he would just give everything – it was just unconditional. He wouldn’t ask questions. All we had to do was ask and it was done. Especially with his time, he was not selfish with his time.”

Benjamin added: “He conquered more than mountains.”

Brummie was diagnosed in 2001 with a lung disease called cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and was told he only had two to five years to live.

The family have been overwhelmed by the tributes to Brummie and thanked everybody for their kind words.

Samuel said: “His words were ‘You can be your wildest dreams.’”

  • Brummie Stokes’ funeral service will be held at Hereford Cathedral from noon on January 22.

Brummie- the adventurer

Brummie always loved mountaineering and he formed a close partnership with another SAS climber, Bronco Lane.

In 1975, they both joined an expedition to Nuptse, Everest’s near neighbour, where four men died on the trip.

The following year they went on an army expedition to Mount Everest and made it to the summit.

On the way down, they faced appalling conditions, which resulted in both of them losing their toes to frostbite. Bronco also lost the tips of his fingers.

Brummie’s wife, Lynn, said: “I don’t think you fully appreciate what they actually went through that night.

“To be up that massive mountain with the wind that was blowing, so far up and on their own, what brave men – and to stay alive.”

They waited for their operations to amputate their toes for three months, after which they had to learn to walk, run and climb again, with only half their feet.

And in 1984, Brummie returned to climb the north face of Everest. An avalanche wiped out the base camp, killing one of the team members and injuring several others. Brummie suffered a broken neck.

After leaving the army in 1985, he obtained a permit from the Chinese to climb the north east ridge of Everest, the only remaining unclimbed route on the mountain.

But, in 1986, at 26,000ft, they were forced to abandon their assault owing to abnormally hazardous weather conditions.

He completed the north-east, unclimbed section of the ridge of Mount Everest, but unfortunately suffered three attacks of cerebral oedema, which partially paralysed him.

Lynn said: “There was something special about the mountains for Brummie and Everest was the one for him.”

Brummie outlines many of his challenges in a book, Soldiers & Sherpas’ A Taste For Adventure, which is available by contacting the Taste for Adventure Centre through its on Facebook.

Brummie- the military man

Brummie was born in 1945 in the mining village of Hamstead, just outside Birmingham, and it was at 17-years-old that he became a military man with the Royal Green Jackets.

Three years later he enlisted into the SAS regiment and served until 1985.

He took part in active duty all over the world including the Falkland Islands, and was several times decorated.

His wife, Lynn, said: “He believed the SAS regiment was the best regiment in the world.

“He just loved it, he loved the experience of being in there and all of the people he met and worked with.”

Lynn said they didn’t receive big wages at the time and some would work at Mother’s Pride and do building work to increase their wages.

His son Samuel said: “I always liked the fact it wasn’t secret when he was in it. You were in town and everyone knew you were part of the SAS.

“You would help the police if they needed help and you were on a night out.”