‘Mick’ lived a very long and fascinating life and now he is reunited with his beloved wife Mary.  Throughout their wonderful 56-year marriage they were rarely apart. Together they created many happy memories which enriched the lives of not only their respective families, but those of their many friends and colleagues.

Mick’s sporting talents entertained and inspired many over the years.  A contemporary, George Troke, considers that he was probably the finest all-round sportsman the Old Colfeians Club has seen.  The old wooden score hut took many a glancing blow off his cricket bat, no doubt surprising scorer Grace Shand sitting pencil-in-hand therein!  Mick also had promising football trials for Charlton Athletic F.C. and, who knows, perhaps the chance to become a ‘Gunner’ with his beloved Arsenal F.C. might have arisen.

Tragically, World War 2 put a stop to Mick’s hope of a professional sporting career.  The sacrifices and hardships that he and his comrades endured will never be forgotten by future generations.  It was remarkable that all the Masters ‘boys’ returned safely to ‘Blighty’.  Perhaps the guardian spirit of The Royal Arsenal watched over them all.

After the “inconvenience”, as Mick modestly described the said conflict, his sporting interests continued and his entire working life was spent at the famous Lillywhite’s sports emporium in London, dispensing advice to folk from all walks of society.  Many a tedious stock-take was enlivened by the antics of Mick and his colleagues; the incident of the tennis racquet cover, a crossbow and a pair of skis became the stuff of legend!

Eventually retirement beckoned and the Garden of England became Mick’s new playground.  Not content to merely potter on the allotment, he looked around for another challenge.  Although he became a lawn bowler somewhat later in life, he quickly became a cherished member of the Clare Park Bowls Club in Maidstone.  One way or another, many a nail-biting end was settled by one of his woods.

Even after moving to Sweden, Mick’s sporting prowess continued when he won a mini-golf competition at 93 years of age!  That evening he was the guest-of-honour at the celebratory barbecue, sitting in neighbour Bosse’s old barn while the swifts swirled overhead.  Although his time in Sweden was short, he is fondly remembered there - and indeed in England - by all as a ‘true English gentleman’.