Sad news from John Eason, who has heard that Derek died on 28 March 2019 following a stroke. Derek joined HMSO Publication as a Clerical Officer in January 1947, when the salary for a 17 year-old was £170 per year. Among other COs in Publications at the time were Alex Laing, Bob Carey, Ken Langford,…
Author: Robert Stutely
Bryan Thomas Blackmore 1933-2018
Bryan Blackmore is seen here in the cap. He is with his sailing friends from the Brixham area. We were sad to receive this note from Brian’s son Roger on 2 April 2018: ‘It is with sadness and regret that I have to notify you that my father died, peacefully at home, on the morning…
3 April 2019 – From Brian Cockram
Hi Reg, Here are a few pictures from 1982 which may interest you. The first is Alec Laing the day he retired from HMSO – March. At the time he was a Staff Inspector. The other two were taken in Belfast with the river view showing Bob Barnard and Mick Moore and the final photo…
28 Mar 2019 – From Keith Batchelor
Not sure if it is appropriate for the website but to keep myself amused I am the Hon. Archivist of the HMS Cossack Association. There were five Cossacks from 1806 with the last being scrapped in 1960 after the Korean War. The most famous was the L03 (Pendant number) that was at the Second Battle…
28 Mar 2019 – From Roy Arscott
Hi Reg, Good to hear from you. I strongly suspect that the lack of traffic at the HMSOldies station has something to do with the fact all our contemporaries are busy dying around us. Being in my 84th year it can’t be ignored! However, I’m still going strong and fully intend to receive my telegram…
23 March 2019 – From Brian Cockram
Hi Reg, Having said I would send you a photograph of the 2019 Mill Paper Lunch at the Oaklands Hotel I completely forgot; apologies. Nothing much to report apart from me managing to send my glass of cider crashing to the floor. The excellent bar lady quickly cleared up the mess and gave me a…
1 February 2019 – From John Nash
Hi Reg, Thanks for all the latest news. But I have been somewhat reluctant to open the ‘Oldies’ pages lately because of the increasing number of Obits. The end of 2018 was bad enough but the start of the New Year has left us contemplating our own mortality: 1. Arthur Holland – I was so…
Ivor Derek Annetts 1936-2019
We heard the sad news, via his son Mark, that Ivor died on 28 January 2019. His funeral will take place in Poole, Dorset: arrangements can be found here. Ivor joined HMSO Norwich(PS Division) in 1977, and retired as Payband 13 in Publications Division.
24 Jan 2019 – From Ann-Marie Simpson
Dear Reg, I found this photo when tidying up Sinclair’s things. I think it was taken probably after the annual midsummer Halvergate marshes walk. Looking at Sinclair would guess taken probably in the late ’80s? Could that be the Berney Arms they’re at? On the back someone has written “Thought you might like a…
23 January 2019 – From English Jack (Keating)
So we come to the end of another year and start a new one. Looking back it was a rather uneventful one . . . as far as I can remember. We went on a short cruise around September which did not go well. I bought a mobility scooter because Kate was having trouble with…