Dear Reg
I am sorry to have to add another obituary to HMSOldies.
My husband, Brian Gardner 1951-2018. He was admitted to hospital in September with sepsis and they discovered he had a T-Cell lymphoma. Unfortunately he did not respond to chemotherapy and died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 7 October 2018
I have taken the following from the email he sent to you in March last year. He refers to a CRS 1978 Farewell photograph in which he appeared.
He worked for HMSO between 1971 and 1983, starting out as part of CRS in Atlantic House, where as an EO he worked under Frank Wright in the photocopier section of CRS. He then went on to edit the CRS Information Service and, along with the rest of the team, was moved to Gavrelle House in Bunhill Row. He transferred to Norwich in 1976, initially being based in Norvic House. During this period his job became absorbed into Supply Division and he was eventually moved on to St Crispins when the rest of CRS moved to Norwich.
His next EO post was in Reprographic Supplies working under Isobel Williamson. In 1981 he achieved promotion to HEO at the second attempt and was moved to Industrial Personnel in Sovereign House, before ending up in Publications back at St Crispins, where he was charged with the task of helping to establish electronic publishing, reporting directly to the assistant director, Chris Penn.
He resigned from HMSO in 1983 to set up his own film production business where he worked until his death.
His funeral will be held at St Margaret’s Church, School Road, Drayton, Norwich on Friday, 2 November at 1.00 pm.
With kind regards
Geraldine Gardner
John Nash adds: I was immensely saddened to learn the news about Brian. It was indeed a shock since in comparison with some of us ‘oldies’ he was surely of tender years. As already mentioned he came into CRS in preparation for the dispersal to Norwich. He was a quiet and un-assuming character but his keen interest in photography and related subjects made him a valued member of the Branch. He quickly became ‘Brains’ Gardner but whether this was the result of a typographic error or our mischievous habit of applying appropriate nicknames I am not sure!
He certainly made his way in HMSO, gaining deserved promotion to HEO and undertaking a wide variety of work activities. It was no surprise when he ultimately branched out to set up his own film production business which I believe was very successful.
We sometimes attended a few home games at Carrow Road and enjoyed some memorable matches in the 80’s. He too had a love of the Isle of Wight for family holidays and I was always hopeful that we might meet up during one of his visits.
I did not meet Mrs Gardner – Geraldine – during our time in Norwich but have written to her expressing condolences to her and the family on their sad loss.