The funeral for Neville was at St Martin’s Church Ashurst on 29 January 2019. There were no tributes at the service but I want to put some of my own thoughts on record concerning his passing. I was pleased to read the Old Askean Grace at the conclusion of the Service.
It was with great sadness that I learned of his death. Ann and I did visit him and Barbara just before Christmas, he was frail then and I believe it was his heart that gave out on 7thFebruary. He was at home, with wife Barbara and is succeeded by his wife and children Andy and daughter Kathy.
He was a thoroughly good fellow, always willing to give advice and assistance. Although he was a little older than me, we ended our time at Aske’s in the same form, 6th Remove. We were both courting girls from the Girls’ School at the time, we later found out that the girls were cousins, subsequently both couples were married. Thus, we were close friends over a very long period. Until a couple of years ago when his health deteriorated, he and Barbara were enthusiastic supporters of OAA events, including the Rambling Club, Advent Lunchand City Diners.
Neville was a skilled rugby player, back row I think. I don’t know for sure whether he played for the School 1st XV, but I do know that during National Service he was selected to play for the Army team.
Together with Barbara he was able to establish what is now a sizeable business being run by son Andrew (Advartex, Screen Printers) This firm was established by Barbara and Neville’s hard work and dedication and has resulted in a busy and sound business.
He spent some years as an Ordinary Member of the OAA Committee and he was especially helpful in haberdashery matters and played a significant part in the 2006 Blazer Project. Neville was able to attend the reunion last September of those that started school in 1947 or thereabouts, and with Barbara in recent years he has kindly hosted the OARC Annual picnic in the garden of their home at Linkhorns Farmhouse, Ashurst. The Rambling Club will return there this year, with fond memories of a good friend. He is sadly missed by many of us. Dennis Johnson