We have received news of the death of Ameed Mohammed Said al Raqaishi on Friday 24 January 2025. Many of our more senior (in years) members will remember this great man who was almost universally known simply as 'Raqaishi' - at least to the British members of SAF, the Omani members being more polite.
He joined NFR in the 1960’s, having been a Donkey Boy taking resupply to the Jebel Akhdar during that conflict and was awarded the Sultan's Bravery Medal (WB) whilst serving as a sergeant in 1968. He was commissioned in 1972 (see photo below) and then served as NFR Recce Platoon Commander. He was the second Omani CO to be appointed in 1976 and served as CO NFR until 1978 (see photo above). He moved on to become CO SAFTR as an Aqeed, and on promotion to Ameed he moved to Sayyid Fahar’s Office.
He was known for the mischievous glint in his eye, as being an anglophile and a stalwart supporter of the SAF Association and for his generous hospitality whenever one visited his home in Izki. He provided an impromptu, but sumptuous, breakfast to 30+ members of a visiting SAF Association delegation in 2015.
Paul Hodgson comments: "Here he is on patrol close to Habarut in 1972. He was a good friend and someone with whom I shared many a patrol, ambush, occasional grumble, and meal around a dying fire, far away from HQ Dhofar.
He was meant to be immortal."
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