Alan Stefan Milburn 1947–2016
The sad news of Alan’s death was confirmed by the Norwich Evening News dated 23 January 2017. The funeral is on 20 February at St Faith’s Crematorium at 1.15 pm. Family flowers only, donations to MIND. I have no further details at this stage, but I believe a notice will be placed in the local paper.
Alan joined HMSO in London, working for a short while with Frankie Day in Accommodation. He moved to Norwich, Supplies Office Machinery section S6c, in the early 1970s and was promoted EO in 1977, working with Internal Audit.
Barry Roberts adds: Just to let you know that the ‘Celebrant’ (who is conducting Alan’s funeral) has requested that all attendees be seated in the chapel by 1.00pm so that the ‘service’ can start at 1.15 pm.
Glyn Morgan Hughes 1923–2016
The Eastern Daily Press dated 30 December 2016 carried the sad news that Glyn died on 19 December.
Glyn joined HMSO in September 1965, in Establishments Division Atlantic House, and moved to Norwich where he became EO on section S6c – the ‘History Card Section’ for Supplies Office Machinery. He was an inspiration to his young staff, always working, running everywhere and creating an atmosphere of easy-going efficiency.
The photograph shows him at his retirement in 1983, with Dave Morgan, Frank Payne and Clive Harrold in the background.
Brian Leslie Cleland 1943–2016
We were sad to read the Family Notice in the EDP Deaths column dated 13 December 2016
Brian joined HMSO in October 1983, having joined the Public Service in 1961. He was soon to find his way into the world of IT, rising to Grade 7 in Print Procurement and in IT Division. His wry puns made writing the dull minutes of the monthly meetings all the more bearable.
Tony Durier adds: I noticed in the EDP Obituaries for 13th December that Brian Clelend had passed away. Brian came to HMSO from CCTA and was a Deputy Director of IT Division before transferring to Print Procurement to head the CAPO replacement team, which later became the PROPS Team. I joined Brian at the start of this project and worked with him right up to when the new system went live. I enjoyed his even temperament and professionalism and am saddened by his passing.
Sarah Pettegree adds: Sad news. I heard last night from Brian Cleland’s grandson that he died last week. I lose track of who did what at HMSO (including me), but I think he was Head of IT at one point and he must have worked in Pubns, because that’s where I got to know him, maybe on a Finance IT project. He had a fine line in winding up my boss, Larry Doyle, for a while. I seem to recall. Brian was a lovely man, very kind and clever with a wonderfully dry sense of humour. I kept in touch through his grandson Will, who works with Norton’s Dairy, and I last saw Brian, who hadn’t changed at all, at Heydon Open Gardens in the summer.
Pat Tate adds: Sorry and shocked to read the notice of Brians death. We worked alongside each other in Finance dealing with claims under Bernard Downing when Sovereign House was opened in 1968. This was an extremely boring job and to lighten our slack periods we learnt Origami folding! Luckily we both escaped quickly and went our separate ways. Really sorry at this news, we got on very well.
Ruth Alderton (Cleland) adds: Dear Reg, I’m Brian’s daughter and just wanted to say how lovely to see the messages from Dad’s former colleagues. He showed tremendous courage, dignity and humour (of course!) during his year-long battle with cancer, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Derek Francis Eke 1934–2016
We received the following sad news from John Barker on 28 November 2016:
‘ I received a phone call from David Eke last night informing me of the sad news that his father Derek had died on Saturday. I knew that Derek was very ill, as when I phoned him a few weeks ago he told me that he didn’t expect to live very long. He appeared to have taken the news quite well, but naturally it isn’t very nice news to receive. David told me that he had been in a local hospice in the Kettering area for a couple of weeks and all his family were with him when he passed away peacefully. He would have been 82 in December. Somehow he had managed to have a couple of holidays in the last few months of his life and David said that his Dad had really enjoyed them.
Derek was always a very organised and tidy person, and he had left a box full of instructions on who to contact when he died.
We always kept in touch, and my wife and I visited him in Devon a few years ago. She congratulated him on how well he kept the house, living on his own since his Wife Nancy had died a few years earlier. In the last few years he moved in with one of his sons in the Kettering area, and that is where the funeral will be held. David will inform me when and where that is.
I first met Derek in the 60s when we were both at St. Stephen’s Parly Press. Derek was assistant to Les Pettet who was the Parly Liaison Officer. In those days the PLO was a T.O. post, how things changed. Derek moved around in his career in HMSO like most of us did. Apart from St Stephens he was at Manor Farm Press for a few years and then moved to MacCaulay Press as Deputy Works Manager to Ron Gair. He left there after a couple of years and I took over from him. He also worked in P and B in Publications and also on Classified and Security Printing. He finished up in charge of Print Procurement Publications section at Nine Elms from where he retired. I am sure many of the Publications staff will remember him.
We kept in touch over the years, and along with Les Pettet used to meet up in London once or twice a year. We also used to play golf together from time to time and he will he sadly missed. A really nice person, a colleague and a good friend.
Kind regards
John Barker ‘
Derek joined HMSO in November 1965 and was promoted HTO (Foreign Office Press) in 1975. Pre-Privatisation he worked as PB10 at the Publications Centre, Nine Elms.
John Eveson adds: I am sad to hear that Derek has passed away. I remember him as a nice, decent, friendly man.
Philip Marriage adds: You’ve both said it, Derek was a really likeable chap, and I found him to be unflappable and willing to put himself out to help when we found ourselves in a pickle.
Trevor Priddle adds: When John rang with the sad news of Derek I am afraid it was not unexpected. I had recently been in touch with Derek (thanks to John Barker) and knew that he was extremely poorly and time was limited.
I first met Derek when I joined HMSO at SSPP back in November 1966. He was working on the General Ordering Section with Roy Henderson (TO) Frank Grigson and Norman Grimes. Derek tutored me for my first week. He was gentle in his approach managing to smooth over most inflammatory situations. I very rarely saw him annoyed or angry and we spent many a lunch hour putting the world to rights just wandering the streets of Southwark.
Living not far from me in New Malden, Surrey, Derek, Nancy (Derek’s wife,) my wife and myself would meet up and go out for dinner, parties and dances. In 1971 our paths crossed again in Room D94, Atlantic House, under the rule of Eddie Sargent (HTO) where Derek was T.O. on the P&B “High-Class Museum” publications section and I was on P&B Parliamentary Publications.
We met on and off through our careers and his attitude never changed. I will remember Derek with great fondness and respect, he taught me a lot about the whys and wherefores of HMSO as a young sprog of 22 years with no office experience.
A good friend and colleague he will be remembered by me.
Musadora Olive Pinnock 1919–2016
A chance meeting with Musa’s daughter Madeleine, who worked in Establishments Division in the early days of Norwich dispersal, revealed that Musa died on 1 October 2016.
She had been living in contented retirement in her house in Grant Street, Norwich, having started work in Finance Division in March 1971.
The Norwich Evening News Family Notice can be seen here.
Musa was a helpful and interesting lady, and she will be missed by her friends and family.
Jonathan P Holtom 1941–2016
We received the sad news that Jonathan died in November 2016 from Alan Pawsey, who was told at a recent Civic Reception in Norwich. Funeral arrangements have been made for 1200 hours on 10 December 2016, at Waveney Memorial Park.
Jonathan joined HMSO London in November 1966. He worked as EO to Margaret Crawley on the S5 Office Machinery section, and moved to Norwich via CRS, passing the HEO board and working in Computer Services and PS divisions. He lived in Loddon and was active in the South Norfolk Labour Party. When he left HMSO he spent some time breeding and trading in Norfolk Black Turkeys.
Alan Pawsey adds: Jonathan actually died on 12th November. I attended his funeral yesterday. About 170 people were in attendance and black clothing was banned (so I quickly removed my black tie when I got out of the car). I was the only former HMSO colleague there (although Nic Hopkins ex-CCTA claims he worked for a few weeks in HMSO). Most of the attendees were family and friends from the many organisations and community groups with which he and his wife Pat were involved, including representatives from the Puppet Theatre, Cinema City and South Norfolk Labour Party. It was a very moving non-religious celebration of Jonathan’s life with Pat, two brothers, two friends and one of his daughters all paying warm and often very amusing tributes. The CND peace symbol (designed by one of Jonathan’s relatives) was painted on the end of his coffin! Much mention of his early life on the family farm, breeding turkeys and gardening. There was brief mention of his time at HMSO but generally most of the references were to his very wide involvement in various community organisations, originally in Hampstead but particularly in the Waveney Valley and Hempnall where they lived until they moved to Loddon in August.
Ronald Arthur Sawyer 1939–2016
We were sad to read the following note, received from Bob Allder on 15 November 2016.
Ron Sawyer 4th May 1939 – 7th November 2016
‘ I had a phone call on Monday evening from Ron’s son Colin, to tell me the sad news that Ron had passed away quite suddenly on Monday 7th November. Apparently he was at home when he began to feel unwell and became unconscious. An ambulance was called and was taking Ron to Bart’s Hospital, sadly Ron died in the ambulance. A post mortem revealed that Ron had died from a pulmonary embolism caused by a deep vain thrombosis.
The funeral is to be held at South Essex Crematorium, Ockendon Road, Corbets Tey, Upminster RM14 2UY on Thursday 24th November at 1.20 pm. Those wishing to attend Ron’s funeral are asked to contact Bob Allder on 07593 811397 who will advise Colin of the numbers expected.
I see that there is a picture of Ron in the obituary of Nat Hall.
With kind regards,
Bob Allder’
Ron joined HMSO in March 1975 and worked as Welfare Executive Officer at SSPP during the 1980s.
John Eveson adds in a note to Bob Allder: ‘ I am sure we are all sad to hear this. It goes to show how valuable your annual lunch is. Many of us are able to say we kept in touch with him and saw him only a short while ago. A nice man! ‘
Grace Ware and George Gordon also remember Ron with affection.
Charles Heal 1964–2016
We have received the sad news, from Linsey Simmons, that Charles died on 24 October 2016. Funeral arrangements are as follows:
’11 am on Saturday 19th of November at St Mary’s church Tharston. Parking is limited and the family would like an idea of numbers attending for catering, could anyone attending let me know so I can pass the information on.
Contact details are: mobile 07887942878,
e-mail: [email protected]
Thanks, Reg, Linsey’
The EDP Family notice can be seen here.
Charles worked on the Supplies Division photocopier procurement section during the 1980s.
Don Friston –2016
Reg, Some sad news. Don Friston was a highly respected freelance designer who often worked for the Norwich HMSO and TSO design studios.
Don passed away last Wednesday after an epic struggle with cancer that never dampened his spirit.
I first met Don when we both worked for Jarrold Printing before I joined HMSO and before Don eventually set up his freelance design business. He will have been known by many members of GD and also some of the Norwich print buyers.
Richard Nelson
Philip Marriage adds: Sad news indeed for we all remember Don as the consummate professional, ever-reliable with a quiet way that endeared him to everyone. One of the good guys.
Betty Jean Haworth 1936–2016
We were sad to hear, from Mary Robinson – who writes from her home in Australia – that Betty died recently.
Betty joined HMSO in 1966 and worked in Sovereign House, where Mary says she was always reliable and an excellent typist.
Nathanial William Hall 1930–2016
The following note, received from Keith Batchelor on 6 September 2016, reminded us of a courteous and helpful man who joined HMSO Supplies Division in 1969 and retired as Welfare Officer, based in the Publications Centre:
‘I have belated been informed that Nat Hall (who was Godfather to my daughter) died 16 April 2016 aged 86. Nat, who lived in Deal in Kent, will probably be known to many from HMSO for his kindness and support to those in need. My wife Carol worked with Nat, and we have kept in touch ever since – hence our disappointment in not being informed in time to pay our last respects. Carol wondered why she was not getting any answers to letters or telephone calls.
Another stalwart of HMSO to be remembered.
Regards, Keith Batchelor’
Jennifer (Lee) Mills 1947–2016
Kevin White has alerted us to the EDP obituary for Jennifer, who died on 8 August 2016.
Joyce Denise Simkins 1922–2016
On 23 August 2016 Maureen Wickham contacted us with sad news regarding Joyce. We had missed the EDP notice, which can be seen here.
‘ Dear Reg . . . I have just seen in the WI Gazette a reference to the death in May 2016 of Miss Joyce Simkins of Poringland, aged 94. This surely must be the lady alongside whom I worked in E Registry, Atlantic House. I remember she was an expert completer of the Daily Telegraph crossword. The article says that she had been a very active member of Poringland WI, serving on the committee for many years and will be remembered for her kindness and generosity.
Regards, Maureen Wickham ‘
Joyce joined HMSO in October 1939 and was promoted EO in Computer Services in 1965. She moved to Norwich, transferring to CCTA.
Marian Fox 1935–2016
Cecil Hughes has passed on the sad news that Marian has died, following a long illness. Her funeral is to be held on Thursday 8th September at St Mary’s & St Margaret’s church, Sprowston, at 1.30 pm and after there will be a buffet tea at Old Rectory Hotel, Crostwick, from 2.30 pm onwards. Family, friends, Red Hat and Welsh Society friends are all welcome to attend. If you would like to wear something purple in/on your outfit in her memory that would be a nice touch.
The funeral notice published 24/8/16 in Eastern Daily Press can be seen here.
Marian joined HMSO in 1967 and worked in several clerical posts, finally in Publications. She can be seen here in relaxed company, at the retirement of Bob Manders in 1987.
The short biography which Marian provided for HMSOldies in March 2006 can be seen here.
Dorothy Lilian Teedon 1930–2016
The Norwich Evening News dated 3 August 2016 carried the sad news that Dorothy has died:
Dorothy joined HMSO in 1964, moving from London to Norwich with her husband Harry in 1968. She was appointed Administration Officer, PP Division, in 1989.
Dorothy is seen here with Harry enjoying the HMSOldies Reunion in The Eagle, Norwich, in June 2006.
Doreen Muriel Furness 1929–2016
The Norwich Evening News dated 19 July 2016 carried the sad news that Doreen has died.
Doreen joined HMSO Norwich as a Personal Secretary in July 1972, mainly working to Divisional Directors and in the Controllerate.
John Eason adds: I remember Doreen well. She was Bob Walker’s PS when I was in Private Office. She once put out all the lights in the north wing of Sovereign House by unplugging a photocopier with the help of a metal envelope opener (code 68-43 I believe).
Raymond Frederick Rayner 1929–2016
The Norwich Evening News dated 12 July 2016 carried the sad news that Ray died on 5 July:
Ray joined HMSO in 1968 and was promoted to EO in 1976. He worked mainly in Print Procurement, where he was a cheerful and helpful colleague.
Funeral details can be seen here.
Donald Johnson 1929–2016
We were alerted to the sad news that Don had died by Sue Prutton, who had seen the notice in the Eastern Daily Press dated 15 June 2016
Don joined HMSO in 1968, working in Norwich as EO in Computer Services Division. He later transferred to CCTA and became a leading light in local CSPA activities. His daughter Penny (Poole) also worked in HMSO on the small systems procurement section.
William James Martin 1942–2016
We were sad to hear, from Brian Watt, that Jim died on 7 June 2016.
Jim joined HMSO Belfast in July 1988 as a Printing and Graphics Officer and remained in the office until dissolution. He was always helpful to customers and colleagues alike and did his bit to make the Belfast office always worth a visit!
C O A Bindloss 1939–2016
We were sad to receive a telephone call, from Tom Bindloss, to say that his father Christopher had died suddenly, in hospital and following a fall, on 27 May 2016. The Daily Telegraph notice dated 4 June gives funeral details:
Christopher was a Sandhurst graduate, Captain in the Cavalry and Major in the Territorial Army. He fitted in well with other ex-Military colleagues at Rank Xerox and was generally considered among customers to be the most gentlemanly, honourable and trustworthy of contacts. In addition, he was good company.
Bryan Allman (Canon) adds: Very sad news to hear of the passing of Christopher. Although we were direct competitors in the Government market and held similar positions in our respective companies, I maintained an on-going respect for Chris over the years and always enjoyed his company at the various events. As he had many interests we always had plenty to talk about whenever we met; ranging from beekeeping to skiing and travel to army life. The one thing we always managed to avoid was business. One of the ‘names’ in the business machinery world and will be greatly missed.
Christopher Bindloss, seen on the left in conversation with Don Ray, in HMSO Sovereign Club, on the occasion of FJ ‘Tug’ Wilson’s retirement in 1982 and the other, more recently, with his wife Carol.
Oliver Cecil Carr 1944–2016
The following sad news was received, on 16 April 2016, from Chris Gould:
‘I have just had the news that another HMSO veteran has died. Oliver Carr passed away in hospital on March 14. He had been ill for some time, and had contracted pneumonia. Oliver joined HMSO in 1980 and worked in mill paper supply with Viv Knowles, Jack Eastwood, Denise Voegeli and myself. After that, he moved to invoice section in Finance under John Betts .
He had a fairly lengthy civil service career, working in the Tax Office and VAT in Southend. I will send condolences to his wife, June, at 20 Cublingworth Avenue, Hull 67BD. Will be in touch soon.
Yours, Chris Gould.’
David Holt adds: I remember working on Viv Knowles section for a short while with ‘Olly’ as we knew him, and our HEO at the time was Maurice Curtis. I well remember him as always having a smile on his face and full of good humour. There are two occasions I well remember connected to Olly. The first was when a rather large lorry pulled up opposite the entrance to St Crispins loaded with paper reels. Olly had forgotten to change the default address on the order form from ours to the customers. A lot of haring about ensued and the lorry went on its way. I remember we used to use old edit forms to send to the typing pool to create the order, unfortunately, he had used a warehouse edit form and had not changed the address. The second was when he was, perhaps, on holiday. He wasn’t there when I had a call from Bill at the Thomas Tait paper mill asking when Olly was going to call forward over 50 tonnes of paper to the warehouses. Off I went to the paperkeepers to find the orders as we could not find them in his order books. Enough to say that when the orders were found in the paperkeepers Olly had written ‘Cancelled’ across the orders but had forgotten to tell the Mill. We had a good working relationship with Tait’s and Maurice was able to negotiate a get-out plan. I will not entertain you with my own faux-pas whilst on the section.
Kenneth James Oatey 1934–2016
We were sad to read of Ken’s death, as reported in the Eastern Daily Press dated 14 April 2016.
Ken joined HMSO in June 1979 as an Administrative Officer and worked in both PP and Establishments Division, as can be seen in this photograph taken in happier times:
Tony Durier adds: I was sorry to see that Ken Oatey had passed away. On joining HMSO he was posted to the W12A Section in Works Division. I was the Technical Officer of that very happy Management Accounting Section. Ken was somewhat apprehensive on joining us as this was his first experience of working in an office but we put him at his ease and he soon settled in, becoming a very popular member of the team. Prior to HMSO, he used to dig trenches with a JCB Digger which considering his physical disabilities was amazing. After the W12A Section was disbanded Ken moved to other areas of the office but attended our annual W12A reunions for many years.
André Rex Affolter 1930–2016
We were sad to receive the news, from both George James and David Tilbury, of Rex’s death in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 25 March 2016. He had been admitted following a stroke.
The Funeral notice from the Eastern Daily Press can be seen here.
Rex Affolter on the left on taking over as Manager of the Harrow Presses, 1976
Rex joined HMSO in September 1954, as a Printing Officer in Works Division. He rose to Senior Works Manager at Harrow Press and went on to become Deputy Director of Print Procurement upon transfer to Norwich.
James Stark MacCallum 1926–2016
We were sad to receive the following email from Jim’s daughter Jane on 4 January 2016:
‘Just wanted to let you know that my Dad, Jim MacCallum, passed away peacefully in the early hours of the New Year. He suffered a fall in September when he broke his hip and didn’t really recover from that.
I know he was an avid follower of the HMSOldies site until relatively recently and loved to hear about HMSO friends and see the old photos.
Funeral is on Friday 15 January at 11 am at West Lothian crematorium in Livingston with an opportunity to raise a glass to Dad and share stories at the Uphall Golf Club afterwards.’
Jim joined HMSO in October 1949. Upon promotion to HEO in 1971 he moved to Manchester RO, where he proved to be a popular, helpful colleague and good companion. He moved back to HMSO Edinburgh Office, from which he retired. His contributions to HMSOldies will be missed, as will those from his old friend Andy Baptie – both of whom feature in this photo with some other famous Scottish faces:
In a clockwise direction from left to right the characters in this photo are Alex Morris, Norrie Veitch, John Hamilton, Andy Baptie, Dave Currie, Jim MacCallum and Willie Ross. Photo was taken on Friday 29 April 2005.