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 of 1 April. The cancer that he had fought for so long got the better of him. It was only a matter of time, and at least he is not suffering any more. I know that he enjoyed his occasional visits to Norwich, and valued all the friendships. Please raise a glass to him when you next get together.’
‘There will be a service in the chapel at T & I Stockman, Funeral Directors: 19 Holwell Road Brixham, Devon. TG5 9NE at 13.00 on Friday 20th April, followed by refreshments at the Berry Head Hotel: Berry Head Road, Brixham. TQ5 9RJ. Please pass the details on. We look forward to seeing as many of you as wish to come, although we appreciate that we are many miles from all of you. If you are coming, please could we ask that you let us know, so that we have some idea of the numbers.’
The Staff Lists have him as Bryan, although he was known as Brian from the day he joined HMSO Bristol as Clerical Officer on 31 August 1954. He had moved to Supplies Office Machinery, Atlantic House, as Executive Officer by the time I met him in 1967, and he was the fittest man that I had ever met – and remained so right into his 80s despite the illness that finally took him. Memories of his play-wrestling the young 18 stone Callum Matheson from Stornaway to the ground will remain lodged in the brain forever!
Brian moved to Manchester (Alan Cole still talks of his leaping the bus station wall to catch the last one home after a night out) and to Norwich, finally settling, after retirement, with his wife Beryl in Brixham, Devon, where he spent many hours on his beloved seacraft. The photo above shows them in nautical mood, from 2012. Brian visited Norwich several times over recent years to attend HMSOldies reunion lunchtimes at ‘The Eagle.’
Off to raise that glass to a man I thought indestructible!
John Eason was among old HMSO colleagues adding their condolences and remembering the good times: Let me add my condolences. I had the pleasure of working with Brian in Norwich and on various promotion boards around the country. He was the best of men. I never saw him angry or even flustered, and there was plenty to get worked up about in HMSO. I was always happy to buy him a pint when I saw him, and I shall raise a glass to him later today.
Brian Cockram adds: That is very sad news. He was a lovely man. Bryan and his wife moved into Tony Smith’s former home opposite our house in Norwich prior to their return to Brixham. We were made very welcome, when we subsequently briefly stayed with them whilst in the area. We were treated to a walking tour of Brixham, followed by a coastal walk to see the views. He was extremely fit for all the time I knew him. I remember walking back from the office with him and struggling to keep up with his pace. He thought nothing of regularly leaping down the flights of stair at St Crispins. Barbara and I will both miss him. We will certainly lift a glass to his memory.
George Rokahr to Brian’s son: Dear Roger, I was so sorry to learn from Reg Walker that you lost your Father. Brian was truly a super man. I knew him throughout most of my working career – in London when he used to travel up from Bristol on a motor bike, Norwich and Manchester. He was always cheerful, always willing to help people (he took me to hospital years ago with a broken ankle when we all played football – but only after the game was finished). When we were both young EO’s in London back in the 60’s, the then Director of Supplies said to me one day that Brian was the sort of bloke you want to have around. Quite true. When Brian was Warehouse Manager in Manchester, he dealt with a really nasty bunch of SOGAT Union members but he was always polite and civil with them even though they would invariably be shouting and bawling at him. He was a fine man and it was a real privilege to know him.