inmem-k_evans-1

IN MEMORIAM

Keith Michael EVANS.

Died 24th June 2012

Army Technical School (Boys), Arborfield.

Intake 45A

2011 A.O.B.A. Reunion

Notifications from the A.O.B.A. web site Forum.

Keith Evans 45a

by barrie parker » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:42 am

Just opened my inbox to find, possibly, one of the greatest shocks to date. Our esteemed Keith sadly passed away over the weekend. Apparently he'd just cracked a joke with someone, turned round and died. Way to go. RIP mate and condolences to his family.

Barrie. (Barrie Parker 65C).

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by TeeCee55A » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:30 am

Total shock. I was having a long and interesting chat with Keith at the reunion and he was on his usual sparkling form.

Things won't be quite the same at reunions now, a great bloke sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him.

Goodnight Keith, no fuss, no drama, just departing as quietly as you lived. One of the best.

TeeCee (Tony Church 55A),

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by Trevor 52A » Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:04 pm

What a shock. Chatted with Keith at the Reunion Buffet and he was on top form. Discussed an upcoming project he was working on. Spoke many times with him over the years, phone or in person, ever the gentleman. Always willing to help and proud of the AOBA and Arborfield. There will be sadness amongst a great number who were proud to call him 'Friend'. A true 'one off', the likes of which are much too rare in this world.

Thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Trevor 52A (Trevor Stubberfield 52A)

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by Herbie66b » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:10 pm

This very sad news indeed, Keith was a stalwart of both the museum and AOBA for many years.

Rest in peace, Keith, you will be sorely missed.

Herbie (John Coles 66B)

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by GregPeck53b » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:02 pm

Devastating news to wake up to, Keith was an integral part of the AOBA and all that was best about it for such a long period of time that his name is forever linked with it. Maggie and I send our sincere condolences to Keith's family and his friends, who must number a legion given Keith's outgoing and gregarious attitude towards life and other people. By any criteria, Keith was one of life's 'givers' and this is clearly manifested in the messages thus far emplaced on this thread. He will be very sorely missed by all that have stood alongside of him over the years. RIP Keith and many, many thanks for all that you did and all that you were.

Greg. (Greg Peck 53B).

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by cliff charlesworth » Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:36 pm

I was present at your POP in 1948 Keith but did not know you then . you were a gentleman to my wife and I when we called in to Arborfield a short while ago and took us round in your car to see the `0ld Sights`.

RIP my friend.

Cliff 47B (Cliff Charlesworth 47B).

by barrie parker » Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:00 am

I am glad to say that I was lucky to be at Keith's final PoP, your committee was very well represented. There were many old boys present as well as association members. It was a great honour to be there for the great man. Bill read a wonderful eulogy and Keith's grand daughter also read some wonderful words in praise fo her grandad! The weather wasn't exactly kind to the occasion but it didn't damp the whole event. The day ended at the Arborfield RBL where we were even treated to some of Keith's favourite Krispy Kreme doughnuts. A big thank you to Betty and family. Of course all our condolences and thoughts are with the whole family. Thank you Keith, you were a true gentleman and friend to us all!

Barrie. Barrie. (Barrie Parker 65C).

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by TeeCee55A » Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:39 pm

I was fortunate enough to make it along with Guy Alway 55A.

Excellent service with Guard of Honour lining the entrance, Last Post, dipped Standards and a lovely heart warming and amusing address by Bill Cleasby.

Keith got the send-off that he so richly deserved with many of the lads there.

It was an honour to attend.

TeeCee (Tony Church 55A),

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On Friday 6th July we gathered at Easthampstead Crematorium, Berkshire, to bid farewell to Keith Evans 45A and support Betty and their family through a very sad event for them. The chapel was filled to capacity with many Arborfield lads and ex R.E.M.E. personnel which speaks volumes about the character of Keith.

His passing came as a bad shock as, but a few days earlier, we had shared a table at the buffet lunch of the A.O.B.A. Reunion at Alrewas.

Keith was his usual bright and cheerful self, buzzing with ideas, plans and information regarding Arborfield. For some time previously we had talked about one of his planned projects using photos from the ‘49ers web site which would have made a fascinating article for anybody interested in Arborfield and the surrounding area. He was a good friend of this site and we had established a two way highway along which we shared information and material of mutual interest. One such item came about from the realisation that the names of many of the pioneers of Arborfield in 1939 were not on record anywhere, and this was a bone of contention with them as they felt their efforts had gone unnoticed. Rightly so. With the personal links which the site had established with some of the ‘39ers we started to fill in the gaps. Keith came up with the incomplete lists from the museum and gradually, melding the two, the record grew. The individual intakes are not all recorded correctly but making sure their names were on record was the priority. This was the sort of project which caught Keith’s imagination and where he was involved he would spare no effort in bringing it to a conclusion. His long association with the Arborfield school and the surrounding area is apparent from the information below which he sent to me in an e-mail when we first started to correspond……..

‘I live in Arborfield and was a Senior Lecturer (Maths) in the Technical Studies Department of the College from 1983 until it closed on Friday 13th August 2004 (I joined the AOBA Committee in 1983 and am still serving).’

Keith was also an active member of the Arborfield Local History Society.

His family was his great love but it was well known that the A.O.B.A and R.E.M.E. came close as equal seconds. If anybody had queries, wanted information or help about those two organisations, they would have felt the hand of Keith on their shoulder, guiding them to the right answers. No price could be put on the value of his long service to the members of the A.O.B.A. as the ‘Assistant Secretary & Membership Administrator’. Whether talking to him on the phone, or face to face, he was always the gentleman, the sort of man in short supply in this world of today.

Keith will be missed by many who will be able to say ‘I knew Keith Evans and I am proud that I did’. For as long as he is remembered by his family and friends, Keith will live on.

Trevor Stubberfield 52A.

‘The Editor’.

Our Keith

Modest, unassuming. Yes, a gentle man was he,

The archetypal model of great humility,

Yet it belied a strength of purpose, rare in any man,

But our Keith had that quality, so that when he began

A task, he undertook to give it all his best,

And every Arborfield ex-boy can willingly attest

To his drive and enthusiastic keen participation

In all things to perpetuate our own Association.

Keith, you’ve been the shining star that touched all of our lives,

In large and small ways, using all that energy and drive,

Your contribution, given with such generosity

Will never be forgotten, as long as such as we

Remember you, old friend, old soldier, with enormous pride,

Privileged to have known you, always to reside

In that corner of our own more private recollection,

As one to whom we owe so much with genuine, fond affection.

But now’s the time to rest after a life lived to the full,

There’ll be no kit inspections, no square bashing and no bull,

Just joyous celebration upon that celestial square,

As, reunited, you fall in with those who gathered there

To welcome back among them an old comrade in arms.

Freed at last from mortal consternation and alarms.

For surely they will be there, reunited as before,

And you will hear ‘The Reds’ sung, greeting you at heaven’s door.

Our earthly loss is heaven’s gain, and there will be some tears

As we recall a lovely man who through the many years

Did so much with his life, and always did it with a smile,

Assisting all with goodwill, free from life’s deceit and guile,

So stand at ease now Keith, our mate, you’ve more than earned your rest,

For along with all the others you typify the best

That Arborfield produced throughout those years of proud repute

As we now stand to attention in a final, sad salute.

The ‘Order Of Service’ for Keith can be read by clicking on the wreath below.

20th July 2013.

Army Apprentice National Memorial,

at the

National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

At the Drum Head Service, which was part of the

50th Arborfield Old Boys Association Reunion,

A Cross of Remembrance was laid for

Keith Evans, 45A.