Dear Reg, At last I am able to send you a few pics from the Normandy trip earlier this month. I was of course looked after very well as usual and the in-joke is that the visit next year hinges very much on the continuance of Hilary’s good health. Most are self-explanatory but one is…
Author: Robert Stutely
Joyce Elizabeth Blaker 1930–2019
Cecil Hughes has sent a note letting us know that Joyce died peacefully, after a long illness, in the company of her two daughters, on 24 October 2019. Her funeral will be held at 2.45 pm, Friday 8 November 2019, at Earlham Crematorium. Joyce joined PS in Sovereign House as a Clerical Officer in 1977,…
Edna Eunice ‘Rusty’ Howlett 1939–2019
The sad news that Rusty has died, in St Mary’s Care Home, Crostwick, on 14 October 2019, was notified by Richard Clayton, with whom she appeared in a variety of amateur theatrical performances. The EDP funeral notice can be seen here. Rusty joined HMSO in September 1977 and was an outgoing, good-humoured and popular Personal…
Janet Coleman 1943–2019
The sad news that Janet died on 1 October 2019, just two years after her husband Keith, appeared in the Norwich Evening News on 16 October. Janet joined HMSO as Personal Secretary in 1971 following employment with the Ministry of Defence. She was born in Arbroath, and married Keith on 10 October 1977. They spent…
Iris Elizabeth Durkin 1946–2019
Iris sadly died on 17 September 2019 following a short illness. Funeral details can be seen here. Iris joined her husband Rod at HMSO Norwich upon dispersal, and worked as Personal Secretary to Derek Dashfield and George Macaulay. This photograph shows Iris (third from left) in happier times, with Rod and friends out for a…
Brian Wilson 1931–2019
The sad news that Brian died, in August 2019, following a long illness came from Brian Cockram after a casual meeting with relatives of the family. Brian joined HMSO in 1966 from another Government Department, as EO in Supplies Machinery – S5, working to Margaret Crawley. He moved to Norwich upon dispersal, and retired as…
31 August 2019 – From English Jack [Keating]
Saturday 31 August, it’s 1.30 in the afternoon my time and I’m watching Liverpool beating Burnley. Outside there is a clear blue sky and the temperature is a balmy 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I’m having a bite to eat and quaffing a cold Stella Artois beer. Everything looks great except for a small square in the…
Ernest Herbert Downs 1936–2019
The sad news that Ernie has died, at the Royal British Legion Home at Halsey House, Cromer, on 17 August 2019, came from Pat Tate who has since confirmed his funeral as taking place at 2.45pm on Monday 2 September at St Faith’s, Norwich – afterwards at the Royal Norwich Golf Club. Full details here.…
Christine Amanda Stiven 1964–2018
A chance sighting of a Facebook page in August 2019 informed us of the sad news that Chris Stiven had died on 22 January 2018, since confirmed by her daughter Sascha. Chris attended St Albans School of Art, and following other postings, joined HMSO Supplies Marketing in Norwich in April 1994, where she proved to…
HJD ‘Bert’ Magee 1929–2019
The Eastern Daily Press carries the news that Bert died on 4 August 2019. Funeral details can be found here. Bert joined HMSO Central Computer Branch in Norvic House, Norwich, in the late 1960s – the days of Emily Beech and many more early-adopters, as remembered by Doug Kerry. He subsequently moved to CCTA, Gildengate…