Having spent my sixth form days learning to glide and fly and not getting down to my studies, I did not do proper justice to my A levels. However, my father suggested accountancy to which I took like a duck to water. I qualified at the first attempt in 1966 as a Chartered Accountant and also became a member of the Institute of Taxation. I became married to Hilary in 1968, a marriage that has endured and we have two grown up children who have done well and also have formed successful marriages. Both have climbed Kilimanjaro!
Hilary and I spent a time in South Africa before returning to Bournemouth where at the age of 26, I became a partner of a small firm. It expanded rapidly and at the time of my retirement in 2001, we were the second largest independent firm in the area. I have also been Chairman of the Southern Society of our institute.
Walking has been my main hobby. Hilary and I have walked several of the major long distance footpaths. I have also climbed extensively in the UK and the Pyrenees and have trekked in a number of other interesting parts of the world.
I graduated in life sciences as an external London University student and
spent a career in the NHS. I then moved to the National Institute for
Medical Research (Mill Hill, London). 17 years as a Senior Officer at
Bedford Borough Council, then ended up working for USAFE at RAF Chicksands,
and finally buying parts for Geriatric Jets for the RAF at RAF Wyton! Now
obviously well retired and in semi-sheltered OAP accommodation.
Obituary composed by Tony Ford from notes provided by Chrissie Day
A.R.J (Tony) Davis sadly passed away in August 2015. He
will be remembered by many as a good friend with an unrelenting sense of
humour and fun. Witty and never lost for words he suffered from cancer in
the last two years of life but never lost his love for telling a good story
Last May his partner Chrissie joined him and many of his old school friends
at a reunion for our year at Hardyes (the late 1950’s). It was fitting that
we could all spend time with him as we remember him. During his school days
Tony was a keen sportsman playing for the Ist XV and earning his colours.
Cricket was such a passion that Chrissie arranged for the Test Match Special
theme tune to be played at his funeral in Woking where they had lived for
many years. Quite a fitting way to say goodbye as, the day before he died,
Tony had the joy of listening to the Aussies being heavily defeated by a
rejuvenated England team.
Although his career in the Immigration service took him to India as well as
being based in the UK, he was at heart a Dorset boy where he joined the
Dorset Constabulary in the late 60’s. It seems that his love of life and the
human touch he brought to most situations was ideal for the work he
undertook in both the police force and Immigration service where there were
numerous tales of conflict resolution that he managed so well.
Chrissie tells of the time they spent together after their retirement
enjoying the outdoor life, and their quest for wildlife and travel fuelled
by the experiences he enjoyed during his time in India.
As well as many friends Tony leaves his partner Chrissie of almost 40 years
as well as two children and two grandchildren.
Tony epitomized the age old adage that good friendships are timeless. He was
a good friend.
Known at school as Bonzo. I went to London after A Levels and joined the Metropolitan Police. Stayed for 11 years and then returned to Somerset where I saw out my 30 years. Last job was training Inspectors at the South West Regional Training School in Exeter. Retired as Chief Inspector in 1992. I moved back to Dorset in 1993 where I currently live with my wife Mary. I am currently secretary of the Dorchester Deanery Synod and Churchwarden and organist at St Mary the Virgin, Piddlehinton. Member of Christian Police Association and a bit of a preacher.
Left Hardye's in 1959 after spending approximately six months in the sixth form.
Employed at British Drug Houses, West Quay Road, Poole as Laboratory Assistant. Spent 18 months manufacturing specialist products in the Organic Department. Offered a job at Pike Bros Fayle Ltd, Furzebrook, Wareham in their test laboratory as their analyst, performing chemical analysis on clay samples from their local pits and mines ( I had worked there in the school holidays for two years whilst at Hardye's).
Left 'Pikes' after 18 months and was employed by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at AEA Winfrith as a Scientific Assistant on the Dragon reactor. Worked on various nuclear reactors at Winfrith, Dounreay and Windscale and in Germany on the nuclear ship 'Otto Hahn' . Promoted to Scientific Officer, Higher Scientific Officer and finally Senior Scientific Officer before retiring in 2002 after 39 years with the UKAEA. Returned to part time work for two further years as a Consultant. Final 20 years were spent on chemical engineering/cement chemistry issues associated with radioactive waste disposal.
Married in 1966, had two children. Divorced in 1981 and remarried, recently celebrated Silver Wedding anniversary.
Moved to Spain in 2003, bought a hectare of olive grove and had a villa built. Since then have been a regular contributor to the Model Engineer magazine writing short series associated with narrow gauge railways and longer articles (monthly up to four years) addressing the construction of live steam, passenger carrying, narrow gauge locomotives at a scale of 2 1/2 inches to the foot running on 5 inch gauge track.
FORD A. (TONY) - Pictured alongside but not in Panorama photograph.