23 June 1932 to 13 January 2014. Alan Ashby, later known as Edward by some, matriculated in his final examinations at West Buckland, thus qualifying for university entrance.

However, he decided to do his two years of obligatory National Service first, and spent most of that time with the Royal Signals at Middle East Command on the Suez Canal, Egypt and travelled widely in surrounding territories. On his return he took up a place at Nottingham University School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington.

After four years, including a year of practical farming, he graduated, and obtained his first job managing a small animal feed merchant in Wiltshire. He met and married Christine at Warminster and that union was blessed with two sons, Charles and James. He gained experience and contacts in the industry giving technical advice on growing and feeding, and over time was located in different parts of the Home Counties, Worcestershire and Cambridge.

His ambition came to fruition when he set up his own business from his then home at Farnham Common, Bucks, and was given much help then and later by Richard Cooper (46-52 B), a Chartered Accountant, who had been a contemporary at West Buckland, and they remained friends for the rest of their lives.

As his business prospered and the family grew they needed a larger house and moved to Churt, south of Farnham, Surrey. Their happy family life always included Alan's interest of dabbling in the stock market, travelling, athletics and rugby. He was a member of Middlesex RFU and for many years hosted enjoyable gatherings at Twickenham for the Middlesex 7's.

Very sadly, his much loved wife, Christine died in the early 1990's; a terrible blow to all the family. This was a difficult time for Alan, in which he wound down his business, and it was five or more years before he met Valerie who was similarly bereaved by the loss of her husband years earlier. The couple lived happily in Weybridge for some 14 years until Alan died, and they travelled together to many parts of the world.

His demise is a great loss to his sons, their families, including grandchildren, to his partner Valerie and to his wider family. It is equally sad to record that Richard Cooper, who had been so helpful when Alan was growing his business, died just two weeks after Alan.

John E.C. Ashby 1945 - 54 G.