Obituaries
Major Steven Ballard | Royal Marine | 1970 – 2003
Stephen Ballard, who died on 31 March, 2003 in Iraq, aged 33, was an experienced professional who was passionate about his life in the Royal Marines.
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Ossie O’Brien | Member of Parliament | 1928 – 1997
Ossie O’Brien was an MP for 11 weeks and one day. Yet, during the Darlington by-election, the curtain-raiser to the 1983 general election, and in his fleeting days as an MP he won the affection of his colleagues.
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Don Ross | Politician | 1935 – 2008
Don Ross was one of the most respected and well-liked local politicians in the North East region.As well as being deputy leader of the Labour-controlled Durham County Council he was a member of the Newcastle International Airport local authority holding company, a Director of the County Durham Development Company and a member of both the North East Regional Assembly and the Association of North East Councils.
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Lionel “Digger” Turnbull | RAF Navigator | 1928 – 2007
During his National Service, Lionel “Digger” Turnbull ‘s duties with the Durham Light Infantry included guarding Spandau Prison in Berlin, whilst a number of prominent German Prisoners of War, including Rudolf Hess were in residence.
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Bob Watson | Army Captain and Teacher | 1922 – 2004
An excellent academic, Bob Watson was expecting to go to St. John’s College, Cambridge when the war intervened. Bob served in the Royal Artillery in Africa and then Italy, rising to the rank of Captain. Despite the circumstances, he was inspired with a love of Italy that lasted the rest of his life.
Gaden Robinson | Lepidopterist | 1949 – 2009
Gaden Robinson was steeped in the study of Lepidoptera, particularly the smaller moths, many of which he affectionately referred to as “squitty little brown jobs”. His father Hugh, coinventor of the widely used Robinson light trap for flying insects, was an enthusiastic amateur lepidopterist who kindled his son’s interest in the subject almost from the cradle.
David William Bentley | Bishop | 1882 – 1970
David William Bentley was the 7th Bishop of Barbados. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, the University of London and St Cuthbert’s Society in the University of Durham. He was ordained Deacon in 1906 and Priest a year later. His first posts were curacies in Barrow and Bethnal Green followed by a spell as Vicar of St James Plaistow.