1930–2026 The sad news that Jim Johnstone has died was passed on by Roy Plackett. Jim was born on 22 May 1930 and joined HMSO as Printing Officer on 3 May 1971. He moved through various posts, retiring as HP&GO. Jim Marshall adds: Once again some sad news but I suppose we are all…
Author: Robert Stutely
Eric Robert Davie
13 July 1938–19 May 2026 Roy Plackett has passed on the sad news that Eric died, after a period in hospital in Norwich, on 19 May 2026. Eric joined HMSO Norwich in March 1970. He worked as HEO in Domestic Systems Division before transferring to CCTA. Ian Davie adds: 1 Crematorium and 2 Celebration.…
4 May 2026 – From Brian Cockram
Hi Reg Barbara and I had a bus ride to Anglia Square, Norwich to see how the demolish of Anglia Square is progressing and I took a few pictures of the site. Apart from Gildengate and Sovereign houses, only the buildings along Pitt Street including Surrey Chapel remain. I think the Pitt Street buildings are…
2 May 2026 – From Brian Puplett
Good afternoon Reg I hope this finds you well, glad to say all is well with us and we’re about to move house to a bungalow in Drayton. I’m taking Mike Betts and his boys on a tour of Chatham Historic Dockyard at the end of the month, as it was there that HMS Victory…
Jeremy Peter le Poer Power
1941–2025 We have received the late notification that Jeremy died on 25 September 2025. The funeral notice can be seen here. Jeremy was born on 20 September 1941 and joined HMSO on 29 April 1974. He was employed as Clerical Officer in Supplies Division, Norwich.
Stella Crump
1928–2026 Jean Storey has informed us that Stella Crump’s daughter Wendy has passed on the sad news that Stella died, in Norfolk, on 12 April 2026. Stella worked for a short time with HMSO during the late 1970s early 80s when her late husband, David Crump, was HEO Training Officer. She was born in February…
Barbara Grace Betts
1929-2026 The Norwich Evening News printed an obituary for Barbara Betts, who was born on 20 March 1929 and died in March 2026. Barbara joined HMSO on 1 July 1968 and worked as AO in Business Supplies Division.
22 February 2026 – From Brian Cockram
Hi Reg, A photo from the annual lunch of HMSO former Mill Paper Section colleagues. This time we met at the Oaklands Hotel on Yarmouth Road: partially closed and as consequence the restaurant was very quiet. Strictly speaking I was never in the section but in a former life I was employed by the paper…
Jean Mary Nash
1933-2026 John Nash has reported the sad news about the death of his lovely wife Jean, after a long struggle with vascular dementia. Jean (nee Simkins) was born on 27 March 1933 and commenced work in HMSO on 22 August 1949, firstly as a copy typist, then as a shorthand typist in the Keysign House…
16 February 2026 – From John McKain
Reg, I came across this photo whilst doing some Golf Society housekeeping (for my sins I am the Society Secretary). It was taken at Bawburgh Golf Club in June 2023. The occasion was the first appearance of the Society’s lovely new (Pantone Blue, we believe) shirts – after 109 years we bit the bullet and…