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DCOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALF THOMAS
1931 - 2014

President of the Society 2012

During the Depression, Alf’s parents moved from Barry to Montreal where he was born on the 10th November 1931 with the return to Barry when he was three.

As a boy, he wanted to follow a career at sea and after three years at Smith Nautical School he made a start with John Cory & Sons Ltd., when he joined the s.s “Ramilies” as a Cadet. Later, when he got his first “Ticket”, he spent six hard but happy years with Furness Bermuda Lines, sailing between New York, Bermuda and Nassau on the “Queen of Bermuda” and “Ocean Monarch” during which, at the age of 20, he reached the rank of 1st Mate.

On leaving the sea, Alf pursued several occupations, including spells with Avery Weighing Scales, Wyeth Laboratories and J.C. Ginder, Jewellers of London for whom he bought and sold diamonds in Antwerp. His last appointment was as Senior Administrator to the Board of the Royal College of Nursing at the University Hospital of Wales who he served for twenty years before his retirement in 1998.

Alf was a Member of The Captain Scott Society and at one time acted as Secretary for Membership and as Expeditions Secretary for their project “Spirit of Adventure”, for which he was commended. Other interests included The United Services Mess and of course the DCOP, which he joined in 2002, serving well as President in our Centenary Year. He was a Free Mason and held the highest office of “Worshipful Master” for many years.

After settling In Llantwit Major in the early 6O’s, Alf discovered what was to be his greatest life’s passion, Surf Life Saving. It was there he became Founder Member of Llantwit Major Surf Life Saving Club and in time, President, a position he eventually vacated, when age and other commitments prevented him from continuing. He was Chairman of the National Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain for ten years, during which period he gained a Churchill Fellowship which sponsored him for a six weeks visit to Australia to study how they funded and ran Surf Life Saving there.

Alf enjoyed his life and made many friends on the way. He especially appreciated his family, his time at sea and in particular the happy twenty years spent with his wife Carole. The number attending his funeral served as a fitting tribute to Alf and was much appreciated by Carole and the family.

 

John Iles

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