Born July 1939 in Egham Hythe Surrey – his parents were from Oxfordshire.

His father volunteered to fight in the war, and unfortunately died as a result, when Dave was 6.

Dave loved going to visit his father’s family home near Uffington; as he got older he used to take his bike on the train and spend a great deal of time going out to watch the steam engines go by.

He did his National Service in the R.A.F., which he enjoyed very much as he had always loved aeroplanes. During that time he married Anne.

He and Anne met at the church youth club which they both attended. They didn’t know one another, but joined a group making palm crosses and started talking. They were so engrossed in each other they didn’t notice that everyone else had gone and left them alone. Dave walked Anne home and that was the start of their life together.

They married in June 1961, at the church they both attended, and where Dave had sung in the choir.

On finishing his National Service Dave went back to his job and became a supermarket manager. Meanwhile, he and Anne moved to a village near Wantage, because they both loved that area, and it was near to Dave’s family home.

In 1973 Dave and Anne moved to Burbage, because Dave was appointed manager of the first supermarket to open in Marlborough. The house was newly built, and nearly everyone was young, nobody had much money, but everyone helped each other out with whatever needed doing.

Dave loved living in the village, some of the neighbours are different now, but the community spirit is still there, and Dave and Anne have received nothing but support and kindness from everyone.

Dave never wanted to leave Burbage because he was so happy here, and it’s fitting that it will be his resting place.

He had a passion for classic cars and he was fortunate enough to own an EType Jaguar.

Then, to his great joy, Tim arrived. Unfortunately, there wasn’t room for a baby and all his accessories in the car. A decision had to be made between keeping Tim or the Jaguar, and Tim, of course, won!

Dave changed jobs, because he wanted to see more of Tim, but he continued to work in the grocery trade. At the age of 56 he was made redundant, but he was determined to get another job, and eventually he did, working with cars. He was at last doing a job that he really loved.

After retirement, he worked part time at Cadley Garage, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

As a boy Dave made and flew model aeroplanes with his friends. Throughout his life he was always very interested in aircraft and space; one of his favourite past times was making model aeroplanes from kits, which he always referred to as making ‘muddles’! He became an instructor for the Air Training Corps in Marlborough, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with the boys and girls

Another of Dave’s great passions was steam engines, and at one time he helped to restore them at Didcot. He used to come home every Sunday, late for lunch, and covered in oil! For a time he was chairman of the Great Western Society.

Dave loved music, and his tastes were very eclectic. Most people probably don’t know that he was also a competent pianist.

Tim remembers a supportive dad and a best mate, who passed on his knowledge, was practical and could make all sorts of things for him. which encouraged tim’s interest in how things work. Dave recognised Tim’s mechanical aptitude and encouraged him to apply for an engineering apprenticeship in aviation; and he was immensely proud when Tim successfully completed it and was offered a job at Boscombe Down.

Dave and Anne were married for 56 years. Like all relationships there were ups and downs. But Dave had a wry sense of humour and could always make Anne laugh.

They both shared a great love of animals; through her job Anne often encountered abandoned animals, which she brought home; these included several pet rabbits, and on one occasion, two kittens. When her boss said “What will Dave say if you take those kittens home?” Anne replied, “He’ll say, hello you chaps!” and that’s exactly what he did. At one time they had 13 rabbits to care for, and Dave was always happy to look after them; he often spent whole weekends cleaning out hutches.