The Marine Painting Forums’ long-standing and esteemed Chairman passed away on March 4th, 2019 at the age of 78.
With his extensive knowledge and experience, together with his unique personality, David was a respected figure within the Ministry of Defence and in the wider Marine Painting community.
David enjoyed a distinguished career in the Ministry of Defence from the late 1950s until his early retirement in the mid-1990s.
As a young man, David attended HMS THUNDERER, the Royal Naval Engineering College (RNEC) at Manadon in Plymouth where all of the Royal Navy’s Engineering Officers were trained.
After becoming a Chartered Engineer and reaching the lofty heights of membership of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, David spent a number of years as an Overseer on the new build of RN vessels in Naval Bases and Shipyards in a number of locations.
David then moved to the MoD at Foxhill in Bath and then a few years later, to the new site at Abbey Wood in Bristol where he was Head of Naval Authority 114 Non-Metallic Materials and Head of Hydromechanics.
Following his retirement, David remained very active. He was a member of Coatings Consultants Limited and with his wealth of knowledge, was in demand from various bodies who wanted to tap in to his many years of experience in a number of related areas. Along with Chairing the Marine Painting Forum, David was involved in all aspects of the Marine Painting industry through his input at numerous, seminars, conferences and committees involving a wide range of technical issues, Health & Safety and the Environment, as well as Training.
Away from his work, David was a proud family man. He was also a great supporter of the Armed Forces and in particular, was the organiser of the Annual Poppy Appeal in his home town of Bradford-on-Avon.
Along with the ever-present pipe, David was always associated with the wearing of Bow Ties but there is a rare picture of him not wearing a tie on his Wedding Day, where he can be seen wearing his Royal Navy Lieutenants’ uniform.
Although his physical health declined in later years, David retained his inquisitive and searching mind as well as his ready wit and he remained a great conversationalist who could seemingly talk with authority on just about any topic.
David retained his sense of humour to the end, insisting that following the funeral service at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, everyone enjoyed his favourite desert - ice cream - at the ensuing refreshments in a nearby hotel.