1933-2024
The sad news that Bob died, following a hospital visit, on 26 August 2024 came from his widow Valerie via Lynda Marshall.
Bob joined HMSO Duplicating Division in March 1951 as a Clerical Officer, as part of the Post-War examination entrants, in the days when the maximum on the pay scale for male COs was £330 per annum.
He progressed through the ranks, moving from London to Norwich and spending time as Director of HMSO Belfast before returning to Norwich.
His final post was that of Deputy Director of Publications.
The photograph shows Bob celebrating his 90th birthday with Valerie.
Funeral arrangements can be seen here. Valerie Barnard has asked that those wishing to attend The Red Lion, Eaton, following the service let her know so that catering can be arranged.
Email contact: [email protected]
John Nash adds: Oh Reg I was so sorry to receive your morning mail with the sad news about Bob – I must confess I blubbed for a moment or two. We were oppos in the old S4d section under Tom Bennett and Elsie Flateau, and shared the same interests.
Together with Valerie we formed the SO Strolling Players to entertain the well regarded Supply Division Christmas Parties – using some of Val’s delightful scripts such as the ‘This is your Life’ sketch for Tom Bennett’s retirement and the plea to “retain our Press down in Drury Lane”!
In retirement we continued to keep in touch with regular annual Christmas letters, recounting the good old HMSO days and bemoaning the form of the local favourites at Carrow Road. Indeed we attended the Wembley final together when the Canaries beat Sunderland in the Milk Cup.
Bob had such an affable and courteous style. During a CRS visit to Belfast he kindly showed us several of the notable sights in the City including a visit to Stormont, hitherto only seen on our TV news programmes. And he often helped me with info about past HMSO publications when I had queries about them from contacts here on the Island.
It was a privilege to know and work with him and I send my condolences to Valerie and the family.
Yours in sorrow, John
Terry McCrum adds: Sorry to hear about Bob. Sad news indeed. As you know when I joined HMSO in 1979, Bob was my first director. He made the transition from my previous department to HMSO very easy indeed and helped me settle in.
Chris Penn adds: Lynda had forewarned me that Bob was ailing but I had half expected that his fortitude would surprise us as had happened several times previously. He will be missed.