I first met Trev when we both went to the same grammar school in Widnes in 1964, over 53 years ago.  We were part of a group of five or six who generally hung around together at lunchtimes and breaks.  We all tended to be more interested in science subjects than the arts and I remember working with Trev on a  physics project such as developing a device to sort large marbles from small marbles. Trev was always enthusiastic but he did like to get things working as quickly as possible.

Trev was always good at sports and games.  He was in the first team for rugby in the first three years until he unfortunately broke his leg in a match which led to him being off school for several months.  But he was keen to get back to sporting activities as soon as possible.

In the school holidays in the sixth form I remember that Trev was very good at gaining access to some of the local social clubs associated with the works in the area such as ICI and Turner's Asbestos where he had a holiday job.  These all had darts boards and snooker tables so on many evenings a few of us went down and had a few games of snooker and darts.  But I have to say that Trev seemed to win most of the time.  

In 1971 three of us from school, Trev, Steve Richardson and myself headed for Imperial College in London. Trev for electrical engineering and me for physics.  Coincidentally we were allocated University Hall accommodation in adjacent halls in Princes Gardens in South Kensington.  A very nice place to live.  Being new to the big city we explored the sights (as well as doing some work!).  For instance on one occasion I remember Trev and I standing on the steps in Waterloo Place to watch the trooping of the colour procession go by.  We also explored the back routes down the mews of South Kensington to find the quickest way from our Halls to Harrods; a pleasant shop which we wandered around quite often even though we didn’t buy very much.

I remember that Trev was unusual amongst our group in openly declaring his liking of Motown music (as well as the usual Stones and Led Zeppelin).  I think one of the highlights of his first year was seeing The Four Tops perform at the Albert Hall just down the road.

In the second year at university Trev and I shared a flat with Steve Richardson and Jon Bloomer, who Steve had shared accommodation with in the first year.   Our flat was in Thurleigh Road, Clapham, near the common and also near The Nightingale, an excellent Youngs pub which we were known to visit, quite often with Trev in the lead.  Trev was quite partial to good food and he and I were often on Saturday morning shopping duty for the flat in Northcote Road or Balham with Trev ensuring that provision was adequate.

After university Trev, Steve, Jon and I shared a flat in Champion Hill near Denmark Hill station later joined by Steve Lloyd who you will hear from in a moment. I had recently started playing squash and on many Saturday mornings we were up early to play in Imperial’s sports centre.  In the usual way I lost to him much more frequently than I won.  Unfortunately on one occasion he collided with the wall and dislocated his elbow, (I must have managed an unusually tricky shot for a change) which meant an ambulance to St George’s hospital and some time off his squash playing activities. But he quickly recovered and got back to winning again pretty quickly.

Trev trained in accountancy in the City with Spicer & Peglar at the same time as I was training with a different firm.  From time to time we were able to meet in The City for lunch or in the evening for a drink or a curry.  We have been able to stay in touch ever since even though we both moved out of London in opposite directions.

Towards the end of University Trev started to go out with Denise and I have seen the development of Trev’s family from their memorable wedding to the arrival of David and Paul and their growth to adulthood.  When I have seen Trev and Denise more recently, including Trev’s 65th birthday party in December at which he was smiling and joining in as usual, I have been impressed by his determination to continue to do as much as possible with the fantastic support that Denise has given him with the help of David and Paul.

Trev has been a great friend for over half a century and I am very sad that his life has now ended.  Trev, I appreciate your friendship and will never forget you.